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Category: Readers' Opinions

Armed prosecutors

Apr 08

7:21 AM

As a Virginia prosecutor, I thank the General Assembly for passing SB776, which allows prosecutors to carry concealed weapons with them anywhere in the state. It has been criticized since the governor vetoed a bill that would have allowed citizens with concealed carry permits to take their weapons into bars. The law classifies prosecutors as conservators of the peace with the power of arrest. Often, they are the last face that a criminal will see before going to prison.

Anywhere a prosecutor might go they could have to enforce the law, or meet someone whom they have previously prosecuted.

Ronnie Mayhew

Dry Fork

View 5 comment(s) Link to post

mixed up priorities

Submitted by BBinVB on Thu, 05/01/2008 at 7:56 pm.

Why should it be OK for a prosecutor to feel safe in a place where other citizens cannot? Sure, lots of people would like to kill a prosecutor... Lots of people would also like to harm a mechanic, realtor, previous employer, or even the customer service person who refused to replace their refrigerator when it stopped working shortly after they bought it... Prosecutors can be nuts just like anyone else can. I strongly object to allowing them to carry guns to protect themselves in situations where other citizens with concealed carry permits cannot.

Missing the point

Submitted by Wm D Tabor DDS on Sun, 04/27/2008 at 11:25 am.

Its not that there is something wrong with prosecutors being able to defend themselves in restaurants that serve alcohol, it is the hypocrisy of the governor's signing that bill while denying citizens with Concealed Handgun Permits that same liberty.

CHP holders have proven themselves across the country to be less likely to commit a crime with a firearm, or injure an innocent party by accident, than are police officers or elected officials.

So, if the record establishes we are as qualified to carry a handgun in those places as are prosecutors, but we are denied that same protection, the governor has signaled that he values the lives of his fellow politicians over the lives of citizens.

No do you see why we are so critical of his veto of our hard fought victory in the General Assembly? We will never be fooled by a Democrat gubernatorial candidate again.

So...

Submitted by C.B. on Sun, 04/27/2008 at 11:23 am.

So Ronnie boy thinks that his life is more valuable than everyone elses just because he is a prosecutor. What a bunch of elitist crockery. That kind of attitude is exactly why he fears for his life. Well the rest of us have news for Ronnie, we ALL deserve the right to protect ourselves and neutralize criminals in action that Ronnie can't seem to keep in jail.

I expect receprocity

Submitted by jimmyf on Sun, 04/27/2008 at 11:07 am.

Since Officers of the Court are now allowed to carry concealed firearms, I expect those same officers to decline to prosicute homeowners who use a firearm to defend themselves against criminals (especially those who were offered a plea bargain for a previous offense) who are committing crimes against them.

It isn't fair that prosicuters can protect themselves while going after law-abiding citizens for defending themselves against those "given a second chance, usually to re-offend by the Commonwealth Attorney's or City/County prosicuters.

Dry Fork--Va

Submitted by contractorva on Sun, 04/27/2008 at 9:52 am.

LOL. I have driven through Dry Fork. I bet Mayberry has more citizens than Dry Fork. Even the 1 bullet you may need will probably get dusty. I'm glad you are armed too, & especially in the bar...if they even have a watering hole in that "crime hub." lol