Keep guns out of state parks (BARF ALERT-MEGA FREEP)

The Northern Virginia Journal ^ | 12/4/02 | SIRI-GIAN KHALSA

[chambley1]

Keep guns out of state parks

I was startled beyond belief while blissfully visiting one of my favorite hiking grounds - the idyllic Sky Meadows State Park.

I came across a public notice that is actually asking for comments to two different petitions that would legalize guns in state parks.

How could anyone even consider such a perversion? The Chancey Petition seeks ``to allow open carry of holstered firearms in (VA) State Parks."

The second, the McHugh Petition, wants ``to allow open carry of all firearms in (VA) State Parks."

If either of these become law, it would then be illegal to disarm anyone who brought a gun of any kind - from a handgun to a military-style weapon - into a state park in Virginia.

These gun carriers could range from muggers, thieves and rapists to drug dealers who carry their business into the parks (which I have seen done in other states), to psychotics, to bravado-proving teenagers, to law-abiding citizens who just happen to accidentally shoot someone they wish they hadn't.

A gun is built to be violently dangerous. It is designed to kill humans and animals. Gun accidents are inevitable.

Why would anyone even consider allowing these killing tools in a state park? Why can't we continue to reserve these magnificent Virginia lands to escape our very real terrorist and sniper-stress?

We need these gun-free zones for ourselves, our families and especially our children.

I, for one, don't want fear of violent weapons to rob me of my precious regeneration time in our outstandingly beautiful parks.

All Virginia citizens can influence the outcome of these petitions by identifying them by name (Chancey and McHugh) and responding by 5 p.m. Dec. 9by e-mail regcord@dcr.state.va.us or by fax to (804) 786-6141.

Letters can be sent to The Regulatory Coordinator, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor St., Suite 302, Richmond, VA 23219.

Another morbid surprise on the same public notice is that Gov. Mark Warner, in response to a formal opinion by the state attorney general, has directed a separate regulatory action to allow carrying of concealed handguns within state parks by holders of a valid concealed handgun permit.Time is short to insure our safety in nature. Only our outspoken opposition can stop legalization of guns with all the associated danger in our state parks.

SIRI-GIAN KHALSA

Falls Church

[DWSUWF]

"...Attempting to overthrow our Bill of Rights, as this terrorist is attempting to do, should be dealt with by deportation at least, and a public hanging at most (after a trial by jury, of course)..."

Well put!

He does condemn himself as a terrorist enemy of the Constitution and people of the United States with his own words.

I want to live, and I want for my children to live, in an America where a treasonous rant like this has the very real potential to cost a bastard like this a death sentence.

[kaylar]

I saw a recreation of that crime on Animal Planet just a few months ago.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The idocy of people who think a statue outlawing the carrying of guns will prevent rape and murder really amazes me. This moron must have ridden the short bus to school.

[Mulder]

I want to live, and I want for my children to live, in an America where a treasonous rant like this has the very real potential to cost a bastard like this a death sentence.

The sooner it gets started, the better, because there are so many "domestic enemies of the Constitution" to deal with. That's the bad news.

The good news is that they are mostly stupid, incompetent, unarmed, and lacking in any "real world" skills.

[Mulder]

This moron must have ridden the short bus to school.

He may be stupid, but he is still engaged in a concerted effort to overthrow our Bill of Rights.

As such, he should be arrested by federal agents, and promptly put on trial.