Free Republic

“I swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of Virginia, and that absolutely includes protecting the right of law-abiding Virginians to keep and bear arms,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Stephen Hawking, the brightest star in the firmament of science, whose insights shaped modern cosmology and inspired global audiences in the millions, has died aged 76.

This is the third and final installment of my (limited) review of A.E. Harvey’s book, Is Scripture Still Holy? Coming of Age with the New Testament. Prior installments can be found here and here. As we have seen in prior posts, Harvey’s book is designed to critique the traditional Christian doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture. After arguing that (a) Scripture isn’t revelation anyway, only Jesus is God’s revelation; and (b) since humans were involved in writing and transmitting Scripture, then it is unreliable and likely corrupted, one might wonder whether Harvey tries to salvage any authority for the Bible...

HANOVER, VA (WWBT) - NBC12 has just learned that missing eight-year-old Robert Wood, Jr. has been found alive. Sources on the scene say Wood was discovered just west of the quarry. Wood has been taken to a local hospital, but we haven't confirmed which one at this time. This is a developing story. Keep refreshing this page for the latest information.

Fox Valley Marathon winner Tim Cunningham crossed the finish line while barefoot in downtown St. Charles on Sunday morning. He didn’t lose his shoes along the way—he ran the entire 26.2 miles without them. “It was kind of a perfect day to run,” said the Charlottesville, VA resident, whose race time was 2:56:24. “The bridges were a little rough, a little slick at times, but it was good.”It was the 15th marathon for Cunningham, who spent the past year building up calluses on his feet. He started running barefoot when he could not afford five-toe running shoes; though he can afford the shoes now,...

A billionaire West Virginia businessman is contributing $25-million to the Boy Scouts of America’s effort to build a national scout reserve in the state, Bloomberg reports. The donation from Jim Justice will support development of the 10,600-acre Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Lewisburg, W.Va., planned site for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.

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Good news! Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has formally ruled that self-defense is considered "good and sufficient reason" for the lawful carry of handguns into a church during a service! (Good and sufficient reason isn't needed at other times.) The ruling also stated that churches, as private property, can ban or restrict such carry (which is consistent with Virginia law and would make for a trespass charge if violated). This is excellent news also for the various preachers and pastors who have asked me about this issue. Here is the ruling: http://www.vaag.com/OPINIONS/2011opns/11-043.pdf NOTE: This is an Attorney General's opinion. It carries...

Racy photos of Democratic congressional candidate Krystal Ball are being circulated on the Internet. The photos, first posted on a conservative blog, show Ball posing as a dominatrix at a costume party. Ball, 28, said she is embarrassed by the photos, which she said were taken at a "gag" party on Halloween "right after college," but described the posting as "sexist and outrageous". The campaign should be focusing on issues, she said.

Governor Bob McDonnell Signs VA Restaurant Carry into Law Fairfax, Va. - Governor Bob McDonnell has signed into law a NRA-backed measure allowing right-to-carry permit holders to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense in restaurants, providing they do not consume alcohol.  State Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24) and Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) were the principal sponsors of Senate Bill 334/House Bill 505.  “This is a victory for self-defense in Virginia," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “As headlines remind us, violent crime can happen anywhere. Law-abiding Virginia residents now have the option to carry a...

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper...

********************************************************* 1. Restaurant ban repeal passed in Senate ********************************************************* FLASH: The vote was 22 to 18!! No further details yet. NOTE: There could still be a chance of mischief - I will confirm once the Senate has recessed to make sure the bill can't be reconsidered for a new vote. Also the guns in locked compartments and containers passed 24 to 16! Assuming no mischief, the bills will then head to the House. The House will be voting on a bunch of gun bills today, so expect another alert later today.

Yeeee Haaaaa! Don't let the door hit ya on the way out Timmy.

I think this is probably my second vanity in my 9 years on FR, so I beg your forgiveness for this one. I usually try to get to the office early enough in the morning to assist our foreign born security guard to appropriately raise the flag and render appropriate honors. I have been ridiculed in the past by co-workers and managers alike, but as an Eagle Scout for the last 39 years, and a US Navy veteran, I feel that I am qualified to educate those who I come in contact with daily on observing proper flag etiquette. Today...

SOUTHPORT, CONNECTICUT, January 15, 2009 - Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is pleased to announce the new Ruger Lightweight Compact Revolver (LCR), an evolution in revolver design. The 13.5 ounce, small frame, 5-shot LCR has three main components: a polymer fire control housing, an aircraft quality aluminum monolithic frame, and an extensively fluted stainless steel cylinder. The Ruger LCR represents one of the most significant new revolver designs in over a century, with three patent applications pending. The LCR’s lightweight, chemical-resistant polymer fire control housing contains the entire fire control mechanism. Because the fire control components are located...

People will now be able to carry concealed weapons in some national parks and wildlife refuges.

Petition Information Petition Title Allowing the Lawful Carry of Handguns on State Forests Date Filed 10/7/2008  Petitioner Philip Van Cleave, President Virginia Citizens Defense League  Petitioner's Request The Virginia Citizens Defense League is asking the State Forester to change the current regulation to allow the otherwise lawful carry of handguns, either concealed with a concealed handgun permit or openly, in a state forest.   Agency's Plan The Department of Forestry shall submit notice of the petition to the Registrar for publication in the Virginia Register.  The notice will be available for a 21-day comment period by the public.  After the...

Attention everyone in the Richmond, VA area, here is your second chance to see governor Palin. She is making an unannounced visit to the area around 3PM this afternoon.She will be at"Homemades By Suzanne"102 N Railroad AveAshland,VAGOOGLE MAPS DIRECTIONS, CLICK HERE

IT WAS a day of desperate global action, unprecedented in both scale and cost, intended to stymie the international devastation being wrought by the financial crisis. As the London stock market steeled itself to open again following days of vicious battering, Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, rose to stake the future of the country and the Cabinet on an audacious £500 billion banking bail-out. And barely had the City begun to digest the hugely complex and unorthodox scheme when it was sent reeling again by an unscheduled interest rate cut – mirrored across the world – by the Monetary Policy Committee....

Republican presidential nominee John McCain and his vice-presidential running mate, Sarah Palin, will appear in Virginia Beach next Monday morning at the resort city's convention center. That afternoon, Palin will stump in Richmond. She'll be the headliner at a rally at the Arthur Ashe Center.