I’m just happy Ben is posting under his real name — it’s a big step in the right direction for him. To any reasonable person, it’s clear that I’m no “gun grabber” for suggesting that it’s not a great idea to carry a loaded handgun into the Capitol.

I always knew you were a gun grabber Waldo. This proves it. “shall not be infringed” ever heard those words Waldo?

Waldo had said (just one comment before):

Dave, I’m not just a gun owner, I’m an advocate of gun ownership. I think part of being a responsible citizen is knowing how to use guns safely and, for many people, owning one. You’re barking up the wrong tree.

It’s amazing to me how quickly people quote part of the second amendment as soon as people suggest common sense limitations on the carrying of guns. Would it be fair to say that the rights of a convicted felon to carry semi-automatic weapons “. . .shall not be infringed. . .”. Maybe we’ll restrict it to law abiding citizens. How about a 6 year old kid–should his right “not be infringed?” Hmm–maybe he’s not at the age of majority, so it’s ok to keep his hands off the weapons. What about when he turns 14 and wants to go hunting? I think we should allow that one, don’t you? All our rights have some limitations.

I’m a big fan of the Second Amendment (all of them, really, except maybe the 16th–or the 18th, but that one doesn’t count anymore). But Ben–did you know the 2nd Amendment doesn’t directly apply to the states? The Bill of Rights were always intended to only directly applies to the Federal Government; it was the “activist” Supreme Court that decided that the 14th Amendment should extend the liberties of the Bill of Rights against the states. It is therefore only inferred from the Constitution that the states shall not infringe on the right to bear arms, much in the same way the the right to privacy has been inferred by the “activist” Court.

Do you feel the same way about automobiles when a pedestrian is struck?

Yes, I’d feel the same way if a pedestrian was struck by a car while sitting in Del. Reid’s office.

Dave, I’m not just a gun owner, I’m an advocate of gun ownership. I think part of being a responsible citizen is knowing how to use guns safely and, for many people, owning one. You’re barking up the wrong tree.

The fact that this incident involved a permit-holder isn’t what makes it news. It’s the fact that it was in the freaking Capitol building and was the fault of a legislator. There’s no double-standard here.

Also note that Waldo isn’t asking for a new law to be passed against carrying a firearm into the Captiol building. He’s saying that it’s a stupid idea, which it clearly is. All sorts of things are stupid ideas that shouldn’t necessarily be illegal. Like standing in front of city hall and screaming at passers-by that you just pooped your pants. Go ahead, do it. I’ll defend your right to do it until the death. You’d still be a retard for doing it, though.

Even when he cites Reid’s HB 2741, he’s not asking what the penalty should be for possessing a firearm in the building. He’s asking what the consequences should be for firing the weapon in the building without good cause.

There’s nothing being suggested here that should concern permit-holders, NRA members or second amendment activists like ourselves in any way.

One thing I do promise is that if the general assembly reacts to this by passing a new law restricting permit-holders, then I will immediately buy a new gun in protest. That’s always the best way to protest new gun laws that we don’t like.

Remember that every gun you buy is one less weapon that could fall into the hands of criminals. Do your part to protect Virginia.

By the way, if anyone else reading this would be interested in forming a local group of NRA Democrats, let me know.

I don’t have anything against concealed carry. In fact, I intend to get a permit for myself this year. However, I am strongly against Delegate Jack Reid carrying a handgun, pen knife or anything of the sharp and pointy persuasion.

One of my concerns about having a list of places where permit holders may not carry is that then they have to leave the weapon in their car where it far more likely to be stolen and used in a crime than if it was in the permit-holder’s holster. Embarrassments like Del. Reid are pretty unusual. The vast majority of people with concealed carry permits are responsible, law-abiding people who are collectively staring in stunned, angry silence at Jack Reid right now. I hope that this incident is sufficient for the NRA to drop his rating to ‘F.’

Do you feel the same way about automobiles when a pedestrian is struck? One problem with this line of thinking is that everyone has their own idea of what ‘common sense’ is and no two people can agree on it. Another is that if you examine the news accounts you will notice that of those unintentional discharges, more than a few of them are actually committed by “guys paid to carry guns”. I encourage you to try and get a visit to the local PD’s range qualification session or practice the next time it’s available. I’ll bet then you’ll have a few new and different thoughts about professionals carrying guns. As a PP pointed out, numbers vary wildly, but when something involving a permit holder occurs, it makes the news. We would be remiss in discussing this if we didn’t discuss the Fairfax county police officer who within the last week negligently discharged his service handgun into the suspect’s upper body, killing him. Oh, and the suspect? A doctor wanted on suspicion of bookmaking… 2 firearms discharges, both unintentional. One by a permit holder gets news coverage all across the Commonwealth, even though nobody was injured. The other involves a homicide, but barely gets local coverage… double standard? you bet.

Like it or not, there are over 100,000 permit holders in Virginia, and if this is all you can point to for your claim of ‘common sense’ to ban handguns in the General Assembly building, you’re living in the wrong place.