Posted by: Jim24
For consideration: thoughts for emails to Elected Representatives on new firearm laws - 01/19/20 07:16 AM
The changes being made to firearms laws is to criminalize many, if not most, law-abiding Virginians for possessing the most popular, common, and modern firearms and firearm ammunition magazines in America. I believe that the changes to law will result in an immeasurable loss of individual and community well-being, security and safety across the Commonwealth.
I am deeply concerned that the imposition of new firearms and ammunition magazine limitations by our elected representatives signals a loss of faith, trust and confidence in all Virginians to live responsibly.
I believe that most Virginians are trustworthy, responsible, and good citizens. I believe that Virginia’s firearm owners demonstrate individual responsibility through lawful possession and use of the firearms and associated ammunition magazines in their hands today. These same Virginians are a cornerstone in the foundation and strength of personal, household, and community safety. Individual firearm ownership is a personal choice and an essential and positive part of making neighborhoods and the greater Commonwealth a more secure place to live and raise families.
Changes to Virginia firearm laws cannot stop mass murderers from obtaining and using firearms. In Virginia, and elsewhere in the United States, mass murders using firearms take a few of minutes to maximize death in ambush style attacks against unprotected people. Time and again, details of mass murder incidents show that lives are lost before effective law enforcement intervention may occur. God bless law enforcement and public safety members in responding as fast as possible to our community needs. Virginia’s firearm owners provide a significant measure of deterrence against criminal gun violence. I believe that Virginia’s law-abiding firearm owner each bear their weighty, individual responsibility as an integral part of being good and upstanding American citizens.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety members are also part of Virginia’s strength. However, heroic and selfless actions taken by civilians who are on scene during heinous acts of criminality often gets little notice. During the Virginia Tech mass murder shooting in 2007, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets member, Matthew La Porte, tried to stop the shooter instead of running away when he had the chance. Cadet La Porte tried to stop the shooter with his bare hands in his classroom. Recognizing his heroism, the US Air Force posthumously awarded Cadet La Porte the US Air Force’s highest award for valor in peacetime, the Airman’s Medal. He was an Air Force ROTC Cadet. What is remarkable about Cadet La Porte’s actions as described in his award is that it reflects the highest of ideals of freedom-loving Virginians as Americans. It wasn’t his job to stop the shooter, but he took individual responsibility to try, and died in the attempt to do so. I know in my heart that had Cadet La Porte, or his professor, or others nearby to the murders in progress that day had the means, other than bare hands, they would have stopped the murderer and saved some of the lives lost by quickly stopping the shooter.
Thank you for considering this input from a fellow Virginian and deeply concerned citizen.
I am deeply concerned that the imposition of new firearms and ammunition magazine limitations by our elected representatives signals a loss of faith, trust and confidence in all Virginians to live responsibly.
I believe that most Virginians are trustworthy, responsible, and good citizens. I believe that Virginia’s firearm owners demonstrate individual responsibility through lawful possession and use of the firearms and associated ammunition magazines in their hands today. These same Virginians are a cornerstone in the foundation and strength of personal, household, and community safety. Individual firearm ownership is a personal choice and an essential and positive part of making neighborhoods and the greater Commonwealth a more secure place to live and raise families.
Changes to Virginia firearm laws cannot stop mass murderers from obtaining and using firearms. In Virginia, and elsewhere in the United States, mass murders using firearms take a few of minutes to maximize death in ambush style attacks against unprotected people. Time and again, details of mass murder incidents show that lives are lost before effective law enforcement intervention may occur. God bless law enforcement and public safety members in responding as fast as possible to our community needs. Virginia’s firearm owners provide a significant measure of deterrence against criminal gun violence. I believe that Virginia’s law-abiding firearm owner each bear their weighty, individual responsibility as an integral part of being good and upstanding American citizens.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety members are also part of Virginia’s strength. However, heroic and selfless actions taken by civilians who are on scene during heinous acts of criminality often gets little notice. During the Virginia Tech mass murder shooting in 2007, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets member, Matthew La Porte, tried to stop the shooter instead of running away when he had the chance. Cadet La Porte tried to stop the shooter with his bare hands in his classroom. Recognizing his heroism, the US Air Force posthumously awarded Cadet La Porte the US Air Force’s highest award for valor in peacetime, the Airman’s Medal. He was an Air Force ROTC Cadet. What is remarkable about Cadet La Porte’s actions as described in his award is that it reflects the highest of ideals of freedom-loving Virginians as Americans. It wasn’t his job to stop the shooter, but he took individual responsibility to try, and died in the attempt to do so. I know in my heart that had Cadet La Porte, or his professor, or others nearby to the murders in progress that day had the means, other than bare hands, they would have stopped the murderer and saved some of the lives lost by quickly stopping the shooter.
Thank you for considering this input from a fellow Virginian and deeply concerned citizen.