Fire Mission - Virginia, Carry in State Forests

[ZeSpectre]

Fire Mission - Virginia, Carry in State Forests

The comments period is active for amending Virginia State Forest Regulation 4VAC10-30-170 to allow allows for the lawful carry of firearms and ammunition in state forests.

This amendment would bring state forests into alignment with state parks, national parks, and national forests within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Please hit the comments section here
http://www.townhall.state.va.us/L/comments.cfm?stageid=5710
and post your comments SUPPORTING the proposed amendment to 4VAC10-30-170.

Thanks
Ze

 

[TheWanderingRed]

Done.

 

[ZeSpectre]

bump

 

[tinygnat219]

Done

 

[ZeSpectre]

Looks like Andrew Goddard the folks over at the "Virginia Center for Public Safety" have decided to Say their piece.

Mr. Andrew Goddard.

Handguns are not a necessity when visiting Virginia State Forest, just like they are not a necessity in State Parks. This is just another feel good concession to the so called gun rights groups that seek to impose their minority opinions on the majority of Virginians. If anyone is so afraid to enter a State Forest without carrying a handgun then they should stay at home!

and of course this beauty by Mr. James Sollo

Allowing private citizens to carry guns in state parks is a dangerous and stupid idea. I have enjoyed hiking for many years in Virginia's wonderful state parks. There is no need for people to carry guns into these pristine settings. It would be upsetting and intimidating to many families. There are plenty of other places in Virginia where hunters can go into the forests and kill things. But the state forests should not be one of them.

I do understand that the people who carry guns everywhere say that they are just shooting and killing bad guys and stopping criminals. I went the NRA website and saw where the concealed weapons carriers have stopped two crimes in Virginia since the mid-90s. Then I went to the Violence Policy Center website and saw where the concealed weapons people from Virginia have murdered over 30 people since 2006. I'm sorry but I don't see how stopping 2 crimes is worth the 30 lives that they have taken. Allowing these people to carry their guns in our parks and forests makes no sense.

 

[bikerdoc]

I am all over the politicians, as is VCDL. Keep up the pressure guys.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Bump -
1081 comments, the vast majority being "pro" (good).
Comments close on the 16'th of March so if you are going to comment please do so!

 

[ZeSpectre]

Last bump, a few days to go Virginians!, let's finish strong!

-1084 comments posted
(and this beauty from Martina Leinz, The Million Mom March of Virginia)

Guns in Public Forests

Please do not repeal laws against carrying weapons into public forests. Our cities are dangerous enough -- leave our woods alone! There are far too many dangerous individuals out there who can get their hands on exteremly dangerous firearms much too easily --- in fact, with no questions asked and no identification presented at Virginia gun shows.

Thank you,
Martina Leinz
Burke, VA

 

[ZeSpectre]

For those interested, the comments period has closed and the final tally seems to be

2 Neutral comments
4 Against comments
1088 For comments
(1094 total)

 

[ZeSpectre]

UPDATE!

Grand news, I just received this email today. Great job folks!

From: [email protected]
RE: Virginia State Forest Regulations Amendment (4 VAC 10 - 30 -170)

The Department of Forestry appreciates your comments and questions regarding the proposed amendment to the Virginia State Forest Regulations.

The proposed regulatory amendment would lift the prohibition on lawfully carrying open and concealed firearms in Virginia State Forests.

Throughout every phase of this regulatory process, the overwhelming majority of commenters supported the amendment to lift the prohibition against the lawful carrying of open and concealed firearms. The administration also supports the action.

On April 4, 2011, the Department of Forestry officially submitted its Final Regulation for Executive review. The Final Regulation eliminates the prohibition of lawfully carried open and concealed firearms in State Forests.

 

[Moo 2 Drvr]

When will the proposed regulatory change go into effect?

 

[ZeSpectre]

I have no idea.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Laws in Virginia usually go into effect on July 1st

 

[snatale42]

Carry begins on 7/7/11

http://townhall.virginia.gov/L/viewstage.cfm?stageid=5828