Are you aware of Virginia’s gun laws and rights? My fellow Hamptonians I think it is about time we’ve done our research!
DID YOU KNOW: In Virginia you have the right to carry an open firearm?
HC: I’m not quite sure how I feel about that. I’ve came across many fellow Hamptonians who have had encounters with civilians (men specifically) in the Hampton Roads area that go around with their handguns on their side. One of my fellow Hamptonians was at a restaurant and came across a man with a handgun on his side and he saw that she was looking at him, he laughed and lifted up his shirt a bit so that his gun was even more visible. If I were her I would be freaked out and became paranoid. I find this ridiculous that civilians can freely walk around with an open firearm because the law say they can. Virginia get it together…seriously!
DID YOU KNOW: Gun Shows are held every weekend in different parts of VA.
HC:
Having gun shows every weekend is a bit much in my opinion. Anyone can attend these gun shows if you’re 18 or older and to purchase a firearm you must have a government issued State I.D. with your current address, according to Showmasters Gun Shows Inc. There are no background checks required in order to purchase a firearm at a gun show in Virginia. This is known as the “gun show loophole”.
“Most states do not require background checks for firearms purchased at gun shows from private individuals — federal law only requires licensed dealers to conduct checks.”, according to Governing, The States and Localities.
You can come in with a gun ready to trade in for some quick cash and there is no background check done before hand. Someone could have a multitude of murders on the weapon and they just wouldn’t care. People trade in their guns and receive money for them just to do what with?… Buy another gun, Insane! Civilians can purchase a weapon without having a purchase permit and this causes psychopaths, murderers, and mentally ill people to have a guns in their possession. People that come from states could travel to the states where no background checks and permits are required to get themselves a gun. This is and will continue to be a problem unless laws begin to change.
DID YOU KNOW: “The Gun Control Act of 1968, federal law clearly defined private sellers as anyone who sold no more than four firearms per year. The Gun Control Act of 1968 was then outlawed by the 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act which lifted that restriction and loosely defined private sellers as people who do not rely on gun sales as the principal way of obtaining their livelihood.” – Governing, The States and Localities
HC: With the Gun Control Act of 1968 being outlawed with the restriction lifted is just allowing private sellers to sell or trade as many guns as they please without the government’s supervisionor them track records at these gun shows.
DID YOU KNOW: If you drink and drive, you will lose your right to have a concealed carry permit [Va Code 18.2-308.09(9)]. But it is still legal to get drunk with a loaded AR-15 across your back.
HC: Laws are so strict on drinking and driving, but not on guns? This just doesn’t add up. Virginia’s concealed weapon laws are a bit odd, don’t you think? I say the laws need to be stricter on both guns and DUI’s. It is not ok for someone’s gun to be concealed while driving under the influence and for a person who is drunk with a gun on them, to not be in the wrong as well. The same way the person who is intoxicated can get behind the wheel and get into trouble for it, same goes for a drunk person with a loaded AR-15 across their back. That person could get behind the wheel or even in worst case scenario shoot multiples civilians or him/herself while intoxicated.
Sources: