As a hunter, sportsman, gun owner, and businessman in the Commonwealth for over 30 years, I am in complete support of this common sense petition to allow open or permit-authorized concealed carry throughout the state.

I have overall been proud of Virginia in it’s practical and respectful consideration of gun laws, while at the same time not going against the 2^nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. So many states offer and pass knee-jerk legislation based on emotion or public outcry from a few uninformed people. Our model of instant check a number of years ago led the nation in a common sense safeguard, while generally not overly inconveniencing the law abiding among us.

Our sport and those serious about it have always been in support of both safety and law enforcement, which is another reason to pass this petition. We do not need further restrictions on gun owners; we need strict enforcement of existing laws to continue reducing crime. 

Personally, I found the training course for concealed carry very informative, practical, and professional. I have a number of friends and acquaintances in state, local, and yes…even federal law enforcement who tell me repeatedly that they are very glad to have us as licensed carry citizens out here. In fact, the most recent was a US Forest Service Officer in my county who mentioned how often he is “out there” all alone and sometimes out of radio contact range. They constantly say (as has been documented many times nationally), that if they were in a difficult situation with a subject from a traffic stop, or state park for that matter, they would welcome the responsible and lifesaving help we may offer. Again, those who would oppose this common sense measure are woefully uninformed in regard to the training, practice, and background checks we have already been through.

 In most cases, as has been previously posted; people would never know we had a firearm at all. That’s the way it is supposed to be. We are the people who know the code of VA about brandishing and who read the Department of Forestry publications each year from cover to cover to update ourselves on safety and respect for property.

 I close my request with encouragement that you and all others who may consider any gun legislation in the future become students of both history and crime statistics. States and localities with practical and non-restrictive ordinances on responsible firearms ownership and carry have always had significantly, if not dramatically lower incidences of crime. The states that seem to speak the loudest against our 2^nd amendment rights interestingly, have much worse rates of assaults and robberies, with and without guns being used.

These debates will undoubtedly continue and possibly intensify in the coming months and years, but the Commonwealth of Virginia has an opportunity at this moment to again take the lead. I respectfully ask you to do that and pass this petition. Thank you.