FIRE MISSION - Virginia open carry in State Parks

[W.E.G.]

FIRE MISSION - Virginia open carry in State Parks

-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Van Cleave
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 11:33 AM
Subject: VA-ALERT: VCDL Mini-Update 12/4/08

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ACTION ITEM: Contact Governor on open carry in State Parks
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As you know, the Attorney General opined recently that Virginia State
Parks CANNOT ban or control the lawful carry of handguns, including
open carry (concealed carry is already OK). The State Parks is
currently waiting for direction from the Governor on this issue.

Years ago, Governor Mark Warner was in a similar position with an
Attorney General's opinion saying that concealed carry could not be
banned by State Parks. Governor Warner did the right thing and
ordered State Parks to comply with that Attorney General's opinion and
concealed carry in State Parks became legal in short order.

Let's contact the Governor and urge him to have State Parks change
their regulations to comply with Virginia law and to allow open and
concealed carry.

Here is the link to the Governor's webmail:

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm

Suggested title: Please repeal the unlawful ban on openly carried
firearms in State Parks!

Suggested message:

Attorney General McDonnell recently opined that Virginia State Parks
do not have the authority to ban lawfully carried handguns.

Currently, concealed handgun permit holders can carry concealed in
State Parks, but on hot Virginia summers it does not make sense that a
person can't openly carry a handgun. Also, those without a concealed
handgun permit should not be disenfranchised.

Please advise Director Joseph Maroon to change State Park rules to
remove the current prohibition on openly carried handguns.

Please let me know what you are going to do.