Making a case for us law-abiding 'gun toters'
by James Simpson

Potomac News
Friday, January 30, 2004

I feel compelled to clear up some misinformation that unfortunately (and frequently) makes its way around the media. I will address some of the opinions expressed in a recent column that appeared on these pages.

1. The phrase "law abiding citizens" is not slippery at all. The reason it is used by self defense advocates is that people who obey the law should not have their rights infringed upon.

2. People who want to modify the law so that concealed carry permit holders can carry "concealed" weapons in restaurants wish to do so as an alternative to carrying them openly - which is currently legal and practiced by myself and others. I would think that carrying concealed would get less "immediate attention" than the current legal practice of carrying openly.

3. Even though carrying concealed in restaurants that serve alcohol is not yet legal; Virginia Code, Section 18.2-308 stipulates that "Any person permitted to carry a concealed handgun, who is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while carrying such handgun in a public place, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor." Furthermore, "Upon such conviction that court shall revoke the person's permit for a concealed handgun and promptly notify the issuing circuit court."

4. The "gun people," a group in which I am happy to be included, do not advocate that everyone be "armed so that each person has an equal chance to shoot the other." Folks like myself understand that criminals search for easy victims - aka defenseless victims. If they don't know whether anyone in a restaurant is armed, they are less likely to commit a robbery there. Right now they know that restaurants are unlikely to have anyone (not in uniform) with their self protection, because most concealed carry permit holders leave their gun in the car.

5. Regarding the statement made that the Tuesday columnist has "... never seen a single statistic that indicates gun-wielding criminals are accosting innocent restaurant and bar patrons." Allow me to offer information from the Virginia State Police - Virginia Uniform Crime Reporting Program. In 2002, aggravated assaults occurred in bars and restaurants 293 times and robbery occurred in bars and restaurants 317 times. In addition to these events, murder occurred three times. Murder also occurred in bars and restaurants five times in 2001, four times in 2000, and five times in 1999.

While these do not indicate whether or not the "violent" offenders were wielding guns, a simple search on Google brought up the following:

* Virginia Beach Crime Solvers: "Police Investigators are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a lone gunman they believe is responsible for the robbery of six area restaurants, a gas station convenience store and the attempted robbery of three other businesses."

* Winchester police continue to search for the suspect in the armed robbery of Perkins Family Restaurant and Bakery on Millwood Avenue.

* [A] crime took place on January 8, 2003, when the defendant and two other juvenile co-defendants entered the Feather & Fin restaurant with a mask over their faces. Guns were pointed at the cashier to get her to turn over cash from the safe.

6. Local restaurants already have the right to refuse "gun-toting" patrons into their establishments. They may post a sign that states: No Guns Allowed. Fortunately other Constitutional rights have not been treated as harshly. However, most restaurant owners know that this will simply be an invitation to robbery.

7. Contrary to the belief of the Tuesday column writer, gun rules have not "steadily loosened" over the years. In fact, every year more and more laws and restrictions are piled on - further abridging the right to self defense as provided for in the Second Amendment.

8. Lastly, I have never seen a single person in a gun show, on a gun range, or in public (concealed carry permit holder or not) "twirl [a gun] on their finger." However, many crimes and murders have been prevented by folks who carry self protection.

If everyone kept their guns locked in cabinets at home we might as well post "Open Season" signs all over the place for muggers, thieves and violent criminals - after all, what would prevent them from doing whatever they want? That is why places like Washington, D.C., and New York City have high murder rates - they are filled with defenseless victims.

Ask folks who are in prison and have committed these kinds of crimes whether they would be as willing to do so if they didn't know whether or not their victims would be armed. I wager they would not.

James Simpson lives in Lake Ridge.