Poor Washington Compost

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2004-07-28 10:16pm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Jul27.html

Those Open Arms
Wednesday, July 28, 2004; Page A18

EVER SINCE July 1 -- when yet another gun-lovers' law loosened up Virginia's already lax governance of weapons -- it's been one big macho-fest for heat-packers who get their courage from strapping on pistols. Not every diner may relish the sight of six armed men at the next table, but unless the General Assembly comes to its senses next year, families out for a gathering will have to get used to pistols and ammo belts with their burgers and fries.

As reported by The Post's Tom Jackman, residents have been spotted around Fairfax County several times in the past six weeks exercising their new right to wear arms. Police commanders have had to issue reminders to officers that "open carry" is legal. Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, an organization of thousands of gun owners, insists that there has been no coordinated effort to strut with guns, but he notes that this "is a good opportunity to educate people."

At least "open carry" can be spotted. Carrying concealed weapons also is allowed, but that requires a permit issued by a local court. The most difficult thing to regulate, to be sure, is tempers. Residents just have to hope that they don't rub a gun-toter the wrong way. And don't look for any rescue from local officials. The new state law now prohibits any locality from enacting regulations on gun ownership, carrying, storage or purchase, except for rules relating to the workplace.

Maryland and the District don't allow all these "freedoms." So area travelers should be on notice: Virginia Is for Gun-Lovers.

© 2004 The Washington Post Company

LOL, it's so sad how the post has been frantically organ-grinding away
lately on gun issues, what with the AWB up for expiry, and now this

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2004-07-28 10:24pm

God, that's a story? Just look at all the modifiers and characterizations in the first fucking sentence. What has any pretense of real news come to?

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2004-07-28 11:08pm

Please tell me that was from someone's write-in editorial ...

Gil Hamilton · Post by **Gil Hamilton** » 2004-07-28 11:15pm

It sure looks like one.

Iceberg · Post by **Iceberg** » 2004-07-28 11:27pm

Based on the page number, I'd guess letter to the editor or op-ed piece.

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2004-07-28 11:33pm

Whew. Sorry for freaking over nothing, guys. I guess I shouldn't have posted if I didn't want to register.

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2004-07-28 11:45pm

It's an editorial, and not a very well written one at that.

In the last sentence, the writer notes that Maryland and DC don't enjoy the freedoms that VA residents do. He makes it sound as if Maryland and DC are safer because of their gun restrictions.

But I just wonder how the crime rates in Northern VA, DC, and the Maryland suburbs compare? Are Virginians dying at higher rates than DC residents or Marylanders because of their lax gun laws?

Call me cynical, but I suspect the writer already knows the answer and didn't mention the crime stats because the stats don't support his little house of cards.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-07-28 11:51pm

Washington Compost

Gotta hand it to Shep, he's good with derogatory nicknames.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2004-07-29 12:06am

Darth Wong wrote:Gotta hand it to Shep, he's good with derogatory nicknames.

TO be truthful, that isn't mine; It's very very old

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2004-07-29 12:49am

Man, I love living in the Commonwealth of Virginia!

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2004-07-29 12:51am

Since there is no by-line I think it is fair to assume that this editorial is by a Compost employee.

Alyeska · Post by **Alyeska** » 2004-07-29 01:12am

Funny how the author ignores the fact that Montana has had legal open carry for years and there have been no problems. Well the only problem was when a presidential canadite stayed in a hotel durring hunting season and the Secret Service went ape over hunters carrying rifles in and out of the hotel and not being able to do anything other then ensure the rifle was unloaded (Hotel policy mind you).