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examiner.com — Virginia Delegate Scott Lingamfelter . . . has pre-filed House Bill 49 [to] repeal Virginia's one handgun a month purchase rationing scheme. Only 3 other states ration handgun purchases . . . growing . . . recognition of gun ownership as a fundamental constitutional right makes gun rationing increasingly seem "about as un-American as book burning.

Virginia lawmakers have filed bills to abolish the state’s one-handgun-per-month rule and allow college faculty to carry a concealed weapon on campus. Gun control opponents in Virginia's legislature are proposing what would amount to a vast roll-back of handgun regulations, hoping to capitalize on a friendlier administration in Richmond to undo long-standing firearms restrictions. Conservative lawmakers have filed a flurry of bills including abolishing the state's one-handgun-per-month rule and allowing college faculty to carry a concealed weapon on campus. Despite the arrival of Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, who has an A rating from the National Rifle Association and campaigned...

Dear xxxxx, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia is pleased to announce that our 'Trust Women, Respect Choice' license plate is now available for pre-order. The funds generated from the sale of these plates will go directly to Planned Parenthood affiliates across the state to provide critical prevention services. Absolutely no revenue will go towards abortion-related care. Instead, the money will be used to provide annual gynecological exams, sexually transmitted infection testing, and follow-up care for underinsured and uninsured patients. Click here to learn more about Planned Parenthood's services. When the Virginia General Assembly convenes on January 13, 2010, Planned Parenthood...

It’s final. Republican Ron Villanueva is the winner of the 21st House District seat after a recount Monday. Villanueva, a city councilman, increased his margin of victory over incumbent Democrat Bobby Mathieson by two votes after all the ballots were rechecked. In the end, Villanueva received 7,674 votes, and Mathieson got 7,658. “I feel elated,” Villanueva said Monday night. “It was exciting to see the process in action.” Mathieson, who asked for the recount, said his camp was aware going in that a different outcome was unlikely with so many ballots cast electronically and the chances of finding mistakes minimal....

Senator Ralph K. Smith (R - Roanoke) Virginia State Senator Ralph K. Smith (R - Roanoke) has pre-filed Senate Bill 3 ahead of the 2010 Virginia General Assembly session. SB 3 would require Clerks of Virginia's Circuit Courts to accept renewal applications for concealed handgun permits by mail and to mail the permit to the applicant once it approved by the court. Senator Smith's mail order gun permit proposal is likely the first of an avalanche of mainly pro but also some anti-gun rights bills to be considered by the 2010 Virginia General Assembly. Virginia Citizens Defense League President Philip...

Virginia State Senator Ralph K. Smith (R - Roanoke) has pre-filed Senate Bill 3 ahead of the 2010 Virginia General Assembly session. . . . Senator Smith's mail order gun permit proposal is likely the first of an avalanche of mainly pro but also some anti-gun rights bills to be considered by the 2010 Virginia General Assembly. Virginia Citizens Defense League President Philip Van Cleave expects pro-gun bills to do well in the 2010 session in part because of election victories by pro-gun House of Delegate candidates last month.

A few weeks ago seven of the eight incumbent Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates who lost their seat to a Republican had one other thing in common - a lower National Rifle Association (NRA) rating that their opponent . . . [and] the disparity in support for gun rights between the parties seems to have sharpened.

Republicans increased their majority in the Virginia House of Delegates in Tuesday's election by picking up at least five seats -- stanching a recent Democratic tide in the state's lower chamber. The GOP also made inroads into a handful of seats representing the Washington suburbs, including the 34th District, comprised of part of Fairfax County. Republican Barbara Comstock defeated Democratic incumbent Margi Vanderhye in the race for that seat by the razor-thin margin of 50.6 percent to 49.2 percent. Meanwhile, Republican Scott Garrett nipped incumbent Democrat Shannon Valentine in Lynchburg, 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent, with the race called by...

Shannon Valentine has conceded the election for the 23rd house district to Dr. Scott Garrett. Chair of the Lynchburg Democrat party, John Lawrence, said Wednesday afternoon that Valentine will not seek a recount. Stay with ABC 13 for the latest on this.

RICHMOND, Va. - Republicans gained at least four seats Tuesday to strengthen their grip on the House of Delegates, but lost an influential delegate who has been embroiled in a scandal. Aided by a Republican sweep of the top three statewide offices, the GOP knocked off at least six Democratic House incumbents. The defeat of Del. Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News, and a Democratic win in an open seat formerly held by a Republican put the GOP's net gain at four with a couple of close races still to be decided. Hamilton, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, lost...

Barbara is leading her opponent, incumbent Margi Vanderhye for the VA House of Delegates, district 34. But the absentees have not been counted. I have no idea what the chances are of the absentees putting Vanderhye over the top. However, I note that in none of the 20 precints was there a spread as large as Vanderhye's deficit. I expect this could go to a recount. But for now, looking optimistic.

  I'm passing these two observations from liberal Virginia bloggers on to readers, but they're so out of line with expectations, I have a hard time buying them.First, from Not Larry Sabato, about the Virginia delegate races: "SIX SEATS ARE GONE — ANOTHER NINE ARE IN PLAY FOR GOP PICKUP." Yesterday I predicted a GOP gain of six seats; I think most Virginia Republicans saw picking up 11 as their best-case scenario.Then, from Blue Virginia: I'm a bit skeptical of this, so take it with as big a grain of salt as you'd like, but it's from an excellent source....

Virginia Democrats thought incumbent Delegate Dan C. Bowling had a safe seat. That was before Republican James W. Morefield successfully turned the discussion in their Southwest Virginia coal-producing region into the negative effects of proposed federal cap-and-trade legislation, which would limit companies' carbon emissions. Now Democrats are fighting to win the race that the political blog Swing State Project has reclassified from "likely Democrat" to a "toss-up." That story has been repeated across Virginia, as voters awash in weighty national issues have a voice only in state elections this season. Democrats have seen their optimistic hopes of retaking the House...

Amid tumbling poll numbers and signs of major money problems, Democratic strategists have begun privately grousing that state Sen. Creigh Deeds could prove a significant drag on critical downballot races in Virginia next Tuesday. One senior Democratic strategist who has closely followed the contest in Virginia said that the "chances are somewhere between solid and definite" that Deeds declining performance would hamper the party's chances of winning LG and AG races. Of those downballot contests, the source added: "They pretty much live in the shadow of the top of the ticket."

Right now, the Virginia House of Delegates has 53 Republicans, 2 independents who caucus with the GOP, 43 Democrats, and 2 vacant seats. I hear Republicans watching the state delegate races closely think they have 11 challengers currently within the margin of error or better. They're worried about one or two of their own incumbents. You can do the rest of the math.

The tactic of bashing Rush Limbaugh and conservative talk show hosts to score political points is apparently no longer the exclusive realm of national-level Democrats and moderate Republicans. Now, even local politicians are adopting this political maneuver in their local campaigns. Democrat David Englin, member of the Virginia House of Delegates for the 45th District (and currently my own delegate), sent out a direct mail piece which I received on Thursday where Englin boldly proclaimed his opposition to the top conservative talk show host: “If Rush Limbaugh is for it, I’m probably against it.” (image at right).Englin’s mail piece, paid...

Virginia Beach Del. Bobby Mathieson said he filed a report with the Virginia State Police today alleging that a legislative aide and campaign worker may have taken and misused campaign funds. State police confirmed they are investigating. Mathieson would not say how much money was missing, only that it was “substantial.” The worker was fired on Tuesday, Mathieson said. Mathieson, a first-term Democratic delegate, is facing a challenge from Virginia Beach Councilman Ron Villanueva for the 21st District seat.

Virginia House Speaker William Howell on Thursday urged the Obama administration to open a stretch of ocean off the state's coast to oil and gas drilling by 2011. Howell -- with other Virginia officials -- wants to lease exploration rights for 2.9 million offshore acres. Environmental groups oppose the move. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar earlier this year put at least a six-month delay on a Bush administration proposal to allow energy exploration in new areas off the U.S. coast. "Developing these resources would create thousands of new jobs in our commonwealth, arriving at the right time to assist in lifting...

A Virginia Republican's fierce call to resist President Obama's political agenda -- with bullets if necessary -- ignited an outcry on the Internet yesterday, and forced her to clarify that she was not looking to incite any violence. Appearing at a "Tea Party" rally on Wednesday to protest President Obama's expansion of government, Catherine Crabill, a political neophyte running for the House of Delegates in the Northern Neck, quoted from a March 1775 speech by Patrick Henry and then went further, calling on Americans to resist the course Obama has set for the country. "We have a chance to fight...

VA State Senator and candidate Ken Cuccinelli speaks on the importance of state rights! The Tenth Amendment (Amendment X) of the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, was ratified on December 15, 1791. The Tenth Amendment restates the Constitution's principle of Federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID1_vO3cbTc&feature=channel

Election Update: Districts to Watch… There are many critical races in the Virginia elections this year and EV PAC has been watching all 100 House of Delegates races, to keep our finger on the pulse of this year’s elections. This is already a huge year for GLBT politics, as the national news has shown, and you can help lend your support to our crucial electoral work here in Virginia by donating a special gift of $25 or more. As it gets closer to Election Day, we’ll be sending you information on a few select districts we think are worthy of...

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia is pleased to present you with the 2009 Reproductive Rights Report. During every legislative session, PPAV lobbies members of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates to protect and expand access to reproductive health care. This Reproductive Rights Report documents legislators' votes on key reproductive rights issues during the 2009 General Assembly session. We hope that you will use this information to communicate with your legislators about their votes and your support for reproductive rights. The votes of Senate and House members are recorded using the legislative issues we've identified as key. Please note that...

In the famous Agatha Cristie novel And Then There Were None a group of people on an island mysteriously begins to die off due to accident or foul play. Thankfully, this is happening in real life today with state bans on carrying concealed handgun guns for lawful purposes in alcohol serving restaurants. Last year Georgia repealed its ban on concealed carry in restaurants, and today Tennessee's ban died as well after an historic veto override by the legislature. . . . But unlike the world of novels, onerous restrictions on gun rights don't just mysteriously disappear. Gun control laws tend...

Virginia State Senator Creigh DeedsOn Tuesday June 9th, 2009, the Democratic Primary will be held in the great Commonwealth of Virginia. The Democratic candidates vying for their party’s nomination to run for governor are former Democratic National Committee chairman and Clinton insider Terry McAuliffe, State Delegate Brian Moran and State Senator Creigh (pronounced CREE) Deeds. Because of the significant gun rights issues raised by these particular candidates, OpenCarry.org has taken the unprecedented step of endorsing Delegate Moran in the Democratic primary and encouraging Republicans, Libertarians and Independents to cross the aisle and vote in the Democratic primary. How is this...

On Tuesday June 9th, 2009, the Democratic Primary will be held in the great Commonwealth of Virginia. The Democratic candidates vying for their party’s nomination to run for governor are former Democratic National Committee chairman and Clinton insider Terry McAuliffe, State Delegate Brian Moran and State Senator Creigh (pronounced CREE) Deeds. Because of the significant gun rights issues raised by these particular candidates, OpenCarry.org has taken the unprecedented step of endorsing Delegate Moran in the Democratic primary and encouraging Republicans, Libertarians and Independents to cross the aisle and vote in the Democratic primary.

...We demand that it be RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, that the Congress of the United States be urged to honor state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The Commonwealth of Virginia hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States. The Commonwealth by this resolution serves notice to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these...

GAINESVILLE, Virginia (May 20, 2009) – Tertium Quids has named Sen. Ken Cuccinelli as its inaugural “Legislator of the Year” in the Virginia Senate. “Virginia would not have passed a law to put the state budget online or a law to prevent Kelo-like eminent domain abuses without Senator Cuccinelli steadfastly pushing for them for several years in the Virginia Senate,” said John Taylor, president of Tertium Quids. Cuccinelli’s budget transparency bill to put more of the state’s budget, revenues, taxes, and expenditures on the Internet in a format easily understandable and accessible to the general public was signed into law...

MAS' Esam Omeish Seeks Virginia Office Campaign Mum on MAS Ties, Radical Omeish Speeches IPT News May 1, 2009 The last time the public got a good look at Esam Omeish, he was resigning from a Virginia immigration panel, claiming that the posting of videos showing him praising Palestinians who chose "the jihad way" to liberate their land was part of a smear campaign against him. Now Omeish is diving into the deep end of smear campaigns, offering himself as a candidate for a partisan legislative seat in Northern Virginia. Omeish is among four Democrats vying to win their party's...

Esam Omeish is trying to get the Democratic Party nomination to represent the 35th district in the Virginia state legislature. Omeish, has a unique background, the President of the Muslim American Society (MAS) he serves as a leader of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood in the United States: In May 2005, Daveed Gartenstein-Ross reported in The Weekly Standard that MAS is a U.S. front group for the Muslim Brotherhood -- a claim supported by a September 19, 2004 Chicago Tribune story -- and, as such, wishes to see the United States governed by sharia, or Islamic law. "The message that all...

Former GOP presidential candidate and United States Senator Fred Thompson announced his support this week of State Senator Ken Cuccinelli for the Republican Nomination for Attorney General of Virginia. In his endorsement, Senator Thompson said: "...one candidate stands out as the person dedicated to the First Principles on which our nation was founded. That candidate, Ken Cuccinelli, is the best choice for all citizens of Virginia to serve as the chief legal authority for the coming four years." Thompson continued: "At a time in our nation when fundamental, Constitutional rights and protections are often ignored and twisted theories are contrived...

Virginia Gov. Michael Bloomberg has imported a New York pace and a billionaire's bravado to his adopted home, completing his first 100 days in office with a trio of startling announcements: The former New York City mayor has ended the unregulated sale of firearms at gun shows, taken over troubled schools in the state's four largest cities and unilaterally ordered construction of a Potomac River toll bridge into the District. The governor will pay for the bridge from his own pocket -- and he'll keep the toll receipts. Bloomberg's surprise blitz through the 2009 governor's race turns out to have...

Virginia state legislators are refusing to accept Obama's 'stimulus' funds. This is reported by Human Events. Now that's a tea party. http://twitter.com/IlGOPAssembly

Dear xxxxxx, $125,000,000. That's how much of our money won't be coming here to help struggling Virginia families, thanks to a partisan maneuver last week by Bob McDonnell and the Virginia House Republicans. They chose to reject $125 million of our federal stimulus money, sending it back to Washington instead of boosting Virginia's economy and helping Virginia families. It's time for us to Stand Up for Virginia. Today, we are launching a grassroots petition that empowers Virginians to express their outrage over this dangerous decision - and calls on the Republican House of Delegates to fix the mess they made...

examiner.com — Almost nobody expected Governor Tim Kaine's veto of HB 1851 to be sustained by the Virginia General Assembly after Kaine insulted military members with his dishonest veto message. But "the biggest surprise of the day" was the flip flop votes of 6 Virginia Senate Democrats . . .

The House turned down amendments by Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine that were necessary to make Virginia eligible for the federal aid. RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia's Republican-run House of Delegates rejected a proposed expansion of unemployment benefits Wednesday, along with $125 million in federal stimulus cash to pay for it. On a mostly party-line 46-53 vote, the House turned down amendments by Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine that were necessary to make Virginia eligible for the federal aid.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's Republican-run House of Delegates has rejected a proposed expansion of unemployment benefits and $125 million in federal stimulus cash to pay for it. On largely a party-line vote, the House on Wednesday turned down amendments by Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine that were necessary to make Virginia eligible for the federal aid. break Republicans in the House and Senate opposed the measure because it expands jobless benefits for the first time to part-time workers and because it would eventually boost taxes on employers. break

When Tim Kaine campaigned for Virginia governor in 2005, he ran an ad implying that former National Rifle Association President Charlton Heston was praising him. His campaign claimed that "Tim Kaine strongly supports the Second Amendment." Once he won office, Mr. Kaine vetoed one gun bill after another that would have helped Virginians protect themselves from criminals. Unfortunately, this past week, Mr. "strong Second Amendment supporter" Kaine vetoed all five pro-self-defense bills sent to his desk. His intransigence endangers public safety. Hopefully, the General Assembly's veto-override session, which starts today, can correct those mistakes. All five vetoed bills passed with...

·11250 Waples Mill Road ·   Fairfax, Virginia 22030    ·800-392-8683   Governor Vetoes Numerous Pro-Gun Bills in Virginia!   Saturday, March 28, 2009   Please Contact Your State Legislators! In his attempt to appease his liberal, anti-gun colleagues as the new Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Tim Kaine (D) opposed retired law enforcement officers, members of the U.S. Armed Services (including the Virginia National Guard), and law-abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders by vetoing five pro-gun bills.  Senate Bill 1035, Senate Bill 877, Senate Bill 1528, House Bill 1851, and House Bill 2528 were passed with strong bi-partisan support with veto-proof majorities in both...

In his attempt to appease his liberal, anti-gun colleagues as the new Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Tim Kaine (D) opposed retired law enforcement officers, members of the U.S. Armed Services (including the Virginia National Guard), and law-abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders by vetoing five pro-gun bills. Senate Bill 1035, Senate Bill 877, Senate Bill 1528, House Bill 1851, and House Bill 2528 were passed with strong bi-partisan support with veto-proof majorities in both the Senate and House. It is imperative that you contact your state legislators TODAY and respectfully request that they vote to override the Governor’s veto...

Victoria Cobb, President Wednesday, March 18, 2009 Action Alert: Help Maintain Pro-Life Medical Professionals Conscience Protections! See Our Latest General Assembly Blog Posts @ www.familyfoundationblog.com Sign Up for Twitter Updates @ www.twitter.com/TFFVA Join Us On Facebook @ www.facebook.com See Our Video Center On YouTube @ www.youtube.com/user/TheFamilyFoundation Dear xxxxxx, Last summer we alerted you to the public comment period offered by the Department of Health and Human Services, which sought feedback on its proposed new rules protecting the consciences of medical healthcare providers not to perform procedures or services that violated their religious faith. Thanks to thousands of grassroots, pro-life Virginians...

RedState Endorses Ken Cuccinelli for Virginia Attorney General Posted by Erick Erickson (Profile) Monday, March 16th at 10:30AM EDT 7 Comments You might not realize it, but this is an election year in Virginia and New Jersey. We are particularly focused on Virginia this year, both within the Republican Party apparatus and its candidates for office. There are three men running as Republicans for Attorney General of Virginia. Only one fits our billing — conservative, pro-life, and able to win. That man is Ken Cuccinelli. Cuccinelli is a rare breed. He is uncompromisingly conservative. He is ardently pro-life. And he...

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Governor Tim Kaine was joined by health advocates, legislative patrons and other stake holders in Virginia Beach Monday as he signed legislation banning smoking in restaurants and bars throughout Virginia. < snip > Kaine worked for years for a total ban of smoking in all restaurants. Generally, the bill requires any restaurant that allows smoking to limit it to an area separated from nonsmoking patrons by a wall and a door and a ventilation system that doesn't mix secondhand smoke with fresh air. The ban will take effect Dec. 1.

The performance of General Assembly Republicans at the just-concluded session of the Virginia General Assembly was generally very poor, as the overall results reflect, creating a huge political problem for former Atty. Gen. Robert McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor. Each statewide election in the commonwealth since 2005 has ended badly for Republicans, and some Republican members of the General Assembly have become timid about standing up for conservative principles. Their actions during the most recent session put McDonnell in a difficult position -forcing him to choose between alienating conservative and libertarian voters who want to limit the growth of...

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said today he would veto legislation passed by the General Assembly yesterday that would allow holders of concealed weapons permits to bring their hidden guns into establishments that serve alcohol. “I’m very nervous about the public safety impact of that bill,“ the governor said on his monthly call-in radio show on WRVA in Richmond. Kaine also reiterated his intention to sign recently passed legislation to impose a statewide ban on smoking in public restaurants that do not have a separately ventilated areas for those wishing to light up. And the governor signaled that he would endorse...

Local media is reporting that Esam Omeish, the President of the Muslim American Society (MAS), has joined the race for a vacant seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. According to the report: Elections for vacant seats in the House of Delegates are always interesting, but the Democratic nomination fight in the 35th District looks like it'll be interesting indeed. Esam Omeish, a pediatric surgeon from Northern Virginia, has joined the race to succeed Del. Steve Shannon, D-Vienna. The 35th District includes the areas of Fairfax County just north and west of the city of Fairfax. Shannon is running for...

Legislation solidifying the right of car dealers to repossess a just-sold vehicle if the buyer's financing falls through has hit a snag in the General Assembly. The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously endorsed the bill Thursday, but added a clause requiring the assembly to pass the bill again next year before it takes effect.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1621 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-612, 24.2-700, 24.2-701, 24.2-703.2, and 24.2-706 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 24.2-701.1 and 24.2-701.2, and to repeal §§ 24.2-702, 24.2-702.1, 24.2-703, and 24.2-703.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to ballots and to qualifications, procedures, and special provisions for absentee voting.§ 24.2-700. Persons entitled to vote by absentee ballot. The following Any registered voters voter may vote by absentee ballot in accordance with the provisions of this chapter in any election in which they are he is qualified to...

HB 1624 Bullying, harassment, etc.; provides specific information for Bd. of Education in its model policy. Board of Education model policy; bullying, harassment, or intimidation. Provides that the Board of Education must include in its guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct standards for school board policies, the use of electronic means for purposes of bulling, harassment, and intimidation. In the case of suspension and expulsion, the procedures set forth in this article shall be the minimum procedures that the school board may prescribe. B. School boards shall adopt and revise, as required by § 22.1-253.13:7 and in...

RICHMOND, Feb. 9 -- The Virginia House of Delegates approved a plan for a ban on smoking covering most of the state's restaurants and many of its bars Monday, marking a significant political and cultural shift for a state whose history has been intertwined with tobacco for centuries. Virginia has repeatedly resisted efforts to curtail smoking in public places, even as health concerns over secondhand smoke prompted 23 other states and the District to start enacting prohibitions. The vote Monday makes it likely that a ban in some form will become law. The Republican-controlled House has been a choke point...

The House has voted to expand the death penalty once again in the state with the nation's second busiest death chamber. The House voted 73-25 Tuesday to expand Virginia's "triggerman rule," which reserves capital punishment for the person who actually does the killing. The bill would allow the death penalty for any accomplice who shares the triggerman's intent to kill. *** break *** The Senate already passed similar bills, but not by enough votes to override a likely veto. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a Roman Catholic who is opposed to capital punishment, has vetoed the triggerman bill the last two...