Intel on Lobby day

Posted by: Swinger

Intel on Lobby day - 01/13/20 04:20 PM

This was posted on arfcom.

Originally Posted By BlackFox:
I spent about 20 minutes talking to the heads of the Capital PD this morning, and want to pass along some notes. I recognized two senior officers, and told them I was coming with a large group on Monday - and wanted to talk about how we can better coordinate with them. One of them was a politician, the other less so.

I told them we were coming in full gear, and wanted to see if they had any requests (about where to stage, etc.). They didn't. They told us to make sure we brought food and water, and when I asked about bathrooms - they said there would be 15 port-a-potties set up (for 100,000 people? ). The nicer of the two talked about "you might be surprised how many people are on your side of this." The other was polite, but guarded.

Today there were 4 or more Virginia State Police at every entrance to the capital grounds. There were dog handlers, and all the LE around me stopped whatever they were doing every time a radio lit up. They were definitely a little on edge. With that said, I didn't see anyone in armor or really geared up. By the way, I walked the entire area and then 1 block out and then 2 blocks out. The EMS people were staged exactly where we expected. If anyone else was out, they were very discrete. Anyway, I asked them directly about whether we should expect the new governor and his cronies to suppress our demonstration, and they both looked a bit uncomfortable. I told them that we came in peace, and insist that we be given the opportunity to visibly and peacefully assemble at the Capital (not 2 blocks away). The more political one stated that he would not reveal any security measures they had prepared for next week, but that we should watch the news Friday - where new rules will be announced. He stated we all needed to come prepared to follow these rules, and that any bad behavior would not help our cause. There was a comment made at one point along the lines of "we don't want to arrest everyone that shows up on Monday." I told them "If our right to peacefully assemble at the Capital is denied, I don't think that's going to go over very well. This isn't a threat from me, but I feel very strongly there are people who won't tolerate that." They looked uncomfortable.

My personal opinion - they're going to close the entire grounds to anyone armed. They stated the roads were the purview of the Richmond PD, but the capital grounds were under the direction of the Governor, and he could absolutely establish new rules there. Again, he insisted we watch the news and come prepared to follow the rules that would be announced this Friday. It's clear they're not only ramming through these laws ASAP this week, I firmly believe they will try to deflate our cause next week - and push our rally back to a distance where our cause is diminished.


So, keep an ear open on friday for the demonrats to pull shenanigans. Probably making the grounds 'gun free' or having a designated 'rally area' several blocks away. Also, don't plan on ALL of the cops being on our side, or even sympathetic. Their paychecks come before our rights.
Posted by: ak66

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/13/20 05:44 PM

I think the only useful intel from this, is that you should leave your tactical kit and MK18 at home.

Bring IFAK if you have one. Today was actually very peaceful so let's keep it that way. Instead of making the rally about you and your nice kit, let's make it more about the issues.
Posted by: Swinger

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/13/20 05:52 PM

There could very well be 100,000 people there. There WILL be people in full battle rattle. There are actually many more people talking about the rally and committed to going in the arfcom thread then there are here on this site. Nearly all of them don't give a damn about showing off their gear. There are there be armed, peaceful protesters/constituents.

Even if the only people going were all on the very same forum, there is no way you'll get anywhere from 25-100K people to all follow one train of thought, ie: gear or no gear.
Posted by: ak66

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/13/20 05:58 PM

VCDL has a FAQ on what to bring to the rally. Long guns is not one of them - it distracts from the main message.
Posted by: jtdpowhatan

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/14/20 07:22 AM

However you choose to go, please GO on the 20th. If you are good with people and words and not hot-headed, be part of the lobbying effort. If you are not or don't want to go in, be there as part of the people that are opposed to tyranny. Rehearse your message - what is it? Do you have something to say? Make a sign, make it clear. Be there!
Posted by: SgtSquishySquash

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/14/20 08:03 PM

Just a heads up. A guy at work , young kid. Virginia National guard. He says he just received orders out of nowhere to report tomorrow thru end of the week, bet that will be extended thru monday for lobby day.....maybe they are doing a standby on alert thing. Idk.
Posted by: Swinger

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/15/20 04:57 AM

Fox news is reporting that c00nman plans on declaring a state of emergency on the 20th, thereby banning guns on capital grounds. Typical coward move.
Posted by: glockman.40

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/15/20 06:50 AM

I think that everyone needs to realize that this is a lobby day, not a show of force. Everyone should leave their “condor” plate carriers at home. If people show up for a fight, especially the untrained, someone will do something foolish, which will help their anti-gun agenda. The state cannot declare war on its people, they will have no soldiers, remember that.
Posted by: altajava

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/15/20 01:38 PM

Originally Posted By: Swinger
Fox news is reporting that c00nman plans on declaring a state of emergency on the 20th, thereby banning guns on capital grounds. Typical coward move.


yep, a coward move. But, a lot of out of staters have said they are showing up with long guns, they think they are helping our cause
Posted by: brokexj

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/15/20 02:35 PM

Sometimes threads like these make me realize that gun owners are Their Own Worst Enemy. All of you complaining about a out-of-stater showing up with long arms, remember they're showing up to stand with Virginia! if the voters had stood up and voted on Election Day Virginia wouldn't have given to the Democrats. Now that that's done you want to complain about people coming to stand with you? Also, with the state of the bills coming out how do you think it is going to go when you sit down and think about it. Do you think words are going to change their mind? I am not so sure because they sure act like their mind is made up. I will be there to support but please remember that gun owners from out of state are coming to stand with Virginia gun owners because we recognize The way Virginia goes is the way the rest will follow.
Posted by: Swinger

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/15/20 04:52 PM

Originally Posted By: brokexj
Sometimes threads like these make me realize that gun owners are Their Own Worst Enemy. All of you complaining about a out-of-stater showing up with long arms, remember they're showing up to stand with Virginia! if the voters had stood up and voted on Election Day Virginia wouldn't have given to the Democrats. Now that that's done you want to complain about people coming to stand with you? Also, with the state of the bills coming out how do you think it is going to go when you sit down and think about it. Do you think words are going to change their mind? I am not so sure because they sure act like their mind is made up. I will be there to support but please remember that gun owners from out of state are coming to stand with Virginia gun owners because we recognize The way Virginia goes is the way the rest will follow.


Right on brother. Why are some taking full kit? BECAUSE THEY CAN. THAT IS OUR RIGHT. A RIGHT NOT EXERCISED IS A RIGHT WASTED
Posted by: Swinger

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/15/20 04:55 PM

people need to read up on this and other threads on ar15.com. I haven't been there in years, but I reactivated my account just for the 20th

https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/BREA...2288170/?page=1

https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Virginia-There-s-Battle-Lines-Being-Drawn/5-2278351/&page=1

Take a read of what people are saying, their thoughts, their convictions. Realize that patriots are coming from as far away as Texas TO STAND WITH US, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, IN LIBERTY AND FREEDOM. The second link has, as of right now, 255 pages.
Posted by: altajava

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/15/20 05:59 PM

The VCDL has always shown up armed, but carrying a sidearm is far different than carrying a rifle in full kit. We have been given no reason to storm the statehouse, yet. Every year there are bills introduced that only punish law abiding citizen in a further attempt to curtail our rights. They are meaningless until they pass committee and show up on the governors desk. Nothing has even passed a committee yet. That's why we have the lobby day early.

More often than not, when the because I can argument is used, it doesn't end well. Things are pretty good here now. Yet we are giving the socialists in the statehouse the excuse they need to justify banning and restricting items that are used in less than %2 of crime.
Posted by: Swinger

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/16/20 05:37 AM

At least use proper grammar. It's 2%. There's no such thing as %2. That's as wrong as typing 100$. It's $100.
Posted by: 2523

Re: Intel on Lobby day - 01/16/20 02:28 PM

Originally Posted By: altajava
The VCDL has always shown up armed, but carrying a sidearm is far different than carrying a rifle in full kit. We have been given no reason to storm the statehouse, yet. Every year there are bills introduced that only punish law abiding citizen in a further attempt to curtail our rights. They are meaningless until they pass committee and show up on the governors desk. Nothing has even passed a committee yet. That's why we have the lobby day early.

More often than not, when the because I can argument is used, it doesn't end well. Things are pretty good here now. Yet we are giving the socialists in the statehouse the excuse they need to justify banning and restricting items that are used in less than %2 of crime.


They don't need an excuse. That's what you clearly don't understand. They can make up whatever they want to justify why they will do what they are going to do. The thought process of "let's be reasonable and peaceful so they won't make us look bad" is all but useless at this point.