VCDL Archives -

Sounds Like VCDL Has Grounds For A Defamation Lawsuit

It looks like the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (sic) is up to its old tricks. The only thing that has changed is the players involved. It used to be Ladd Everitt and now it seems it is Lori Haas.

Ms. Haas sent out a press release on Tuesday, June 8th, that cheered the nomination by Virginia Democrats of Terry McAuliffe for governor. She touted McAuliffe’s position on gun control.

Also included in her statement was this:

Now is not the time to go back. Virginia cannot afford to elect Glenn Youngkin and his outdated and harmful stance on gun violence. His willingness to say anything for a vote is deeply troubling, as we’ve already seen him cozying up to those with deep ties to those at the forefront of the insurrectionist movement, like Senator Amanda Chase and the domestic terror organization, the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

I am not a lawyer but calling any legitimate organization such as the Virginia Citizens Defense League a “domestic terror organization” sounds defamatory. I think it goes beyond legitimate and protected political speech.

The FBI has a definition of “domestic terrorism” that speaks to the issue.

Domestic terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.

Wearing an orange sticker that says “Guns Save Lives” is neither violent nor criminal. Neither is engaging in the political process and supporting a candidate such as Glenn Youngkin who believes in the Second Amendment.

If I were Phillip Van Cleave of VCDL, a letter from VCDL’s attorneys would be in the mail demanding a retraction of Ms. Haas’ statement along with an apology. If neither was forthcoming, then a lawsuit would be filed sooner than later.

From Our Friends At VCDL

Now that the Virginia House has approved HB 961, it goes to the Senate for hearings. This bill would ban “assault weapons” (sic), standard capacity magazines, suppressors, and bump stocks.

The hearings on the bill start today.

From VCDL:

Turnout needed! Monday, February 17, at 8 am, the Senate Judiciary committee is going to hear HB 961, Delegate Mark Levine’s “assault weapon”/higher-capacity magazine/suppressor/ bump stock ban!

This is a key opportunity to defeat HB 961 and there is a good chance we can do so!

BREAKING: VCDL has heard there will be an attempt to modify HB 961 to help save it from being defeated. HB 961 is a disaster and cannot be fixed. It must be killed in its entirety!

I suggest getting there early, as we will hopefully flood the room and beyond.

After going through the metal detectors, continue straight ahead and go through the glass doors. Make an immediate right, walk down the hall, and make another immediate right to get to Senate Committee Room A.

Here’s what the current version of HB 961 does:
Makes possession of a large number of semi-automatic guns, classified as an “assault weapon” by this bill, a felony. This includes many popular rifles, handguns, and shotguns! You can keep any “assault weapons” you currently have, but you can’t buy any more. The wording is so poor that you probably won’t be able to even fix a broken “assault weapon,” as each part is classified as an “assault weapon”! Gun dealers in Virginia won’t be able to sell an “assault weapon” or any parts for one to anybody, include to gun owners in other states. This will do severe financial harm to Virginia gun dealers.
Bans magazines that hold more than 12 rounds of ammunition. There is NO grandfathering! Possession of such a magazine (keeping it at home only) after January 1, 2021 will be a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, transporting such a magazine is a felony!
Bans suppressors, making possession of one a felony. You can keep any suppressors you currently have, but you cannot purchase any more and you won’t be able to fix them if they break.
Bans bump stocks. Any that you have must be destroyed by January 1, 2021. Possession of one after that date is a felony.