Gun owner says open-carry is not posing but protection

Twice now men openly carrying guns have come into stores where my wife and I were shopping. It's impossible to tell by looking whether the person is a peaceful open carry advocate asserting his rights or a sociaopath setting the stage for a Va. Tech-like massacre.

The time to preserve our lives is short, a wrong decission life ending: trust or flight?

We don't complain, we don't say a word. We slip out and we don't go back.

Gertz states "I am opposed to open carry, but I'm incensed that an 18 year old student can keep a gun in his vehicle while parked on public school property. Several cities in the Commonwealth have abolished that law, and if it can be done there it can be done right here in Norfolk, VA."

I am opposed to Gertz and unopposed to open carry. FYI Gertz as you seem to be so informed about everything, a city CANNOT abolish a state law. You should have studied law instead of psych.

I am opposed to open carry, but I'm incensed that an 18 year old student can keep a gun in his vehicle while parked on public school property. Several cities in the Commonwealth have abolished that law, and if it can be done there it can be done right here in Norfolk, VA.

The problem we have with gangs and violence in our public schools warrants change so that NO one can keep a gun in a parked car on public school property.

Your argument is misleading (at best). Open carry by someone who can legally own a firearm is not against the law, and does nothing to harm anyone. Unless you want classify exposing fear in those ignorant of the law as harm. Open carry is a lawful extension of an individual’s right to keep and bear arms, unlike the unlawful behavior (road rage, reckless driving and DUI/DWI) you proclaim. No one has a right to drive or otherwise operate a motor vehicle... it is privilege and nothing more.

The article is: "Activist Exposes The Truth About Guns At School To Change Law"

"in 2006 for a student at Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk. Both students were charged with violating section 18.2-308.1 of the Code of Virginia, though the law allows firearms in Virginia schools if the weapons are in a vehicle in a "closed container," including a locked trunk. The charge was dropped in that case as well.?

Who knew it was legal for an 18 year old student to have a gun locked in his/her vehicle while parked in a public school parking lot?
Gun advocates have no problem with this they are not concerned about the safety of your children only about their gun rights.
Yes, Garryh twice you have childishly asked me what color is my sky. What are you 12 or something?

Just what color IS the sky in your world?

" "Open-carry" is a concept that's alien to many. While everyone seems to know that the commonwealth issues permits to carry concealed weapons, many don't know that anyone who can legally own a gun can carry it without a permit, provided it's in the open."

These two sentences will make they way to every person I can think of to inform them of just how troubled our gun laws are.

Kerry, thank you for informing us of the ignorance of the commonwealth's gun laws. Your article will reach more people than you every thought, by those of us that strongly feel our gun laws are more than too lax.

I have mixed feelings about this issue. I believe in the right to bear arms in principle, but I am disturbed by the some of the implications. For those who say that law abiding citizens carrying guns won't lead to any problems I would point to automobiles as a counterargument. Road rage, reckless driving, DUI/DWI; all examples of law abiding citizens exercising their "rights" threatening the life and limb of other citizens through no fault of the latter.

To those who are upset that other citizen's are upset to see people carrying guns, how would you feel if you saw a guy carrying an axe or a machete around the mall? Maybe it is their right to do so but it would probably worry you at least a little, don't you think?

Protection from who? Of course a gun advocate would say they are not posing but it's for protection, what would you expect? I want to see all the gun advocates continue to open carry their guns where ever they want to. The more they open carry, the more the general public will get sick of them, and will take action to re-define VA laws on guns. Gun advocates, please keep up the counter productive good work!

Thank you for writing this, Kerry.

from those who fail to educate themselves on the law as it pertains to this issue.

Nothing prevents a privately owned business from prohibiting firearms carried on the premises, it must however be appropriately displayed so as to prevent a person from inadvertently violating that policy.

As for city and state buildings/property... those are covered by state law and the city officials are only to enforce that which is codified by the state legislature, they are prohibited from arbitrarily passing or enforcing their own ordinances which are often contrary to state law. This keeps things uniform for those who desire to carry... be it open or concealed (with a permit).

I guess all the judges and lawyers in local city and federal court houses are entitled to be better protected and exempt from your overkill gun logic and supposed exaggerated rights, as they all have metal detectors that force you to surrender your pea shooters before entering. Perhaps Norfolk City Council, Hooter's and HRT should follow suit and install metal detectors as it is their right to refuse entry on private property for the common good of their customers. I would imagine also that a reputable business could argue the point that your actions are damaging the livelihood of their prospective businesses by scaring away elder ladies and women with small children and frail men who haven't realized they can arm themselves in public yet. Just what we all need, metal detectors at Wal-Mart, Farm Fresh and the Norfolk City Library, etc. All because of bunch of self righteous zealots

" Regardless of how much you don't like it, your hysterical diatribes cannot wish away the facts. You know what has to be done to try & change it; why don't you work lawfully toward that end?"

Change is coming!

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to
the security of a free State, the right of the people
to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Given recent reports of Norfolk police officers unlawfully detaining and arresting individuals for open carry of a firearm... one would expect that city leaders would have taken the appropriate steps to ensure its officers were educated on this issue. Is this too much to expect? How many more individuals will be the subject of this overzealousness on the part of those tasked with enforcing the law?

Yep Gertz, it's called the 2nd Amendment...and Open Carry is it's purest form. The Founding Fathers never invisioned asking permission to Conceal Carry because it simply was not done by the majority - and if someone did hide their gun, it was viewed negatively.

You are missing the common sense portion here...as always. The common sense is that smoking in a government building in Norfolk is illegal by city law & due to legitimate lawful actions by the city council. However, the right to carry openly in Virginia is a constitutionaly protect right, & as such cannot be overridden by a ignorant city council or forced away by police officers ignorant of the laws they are supposed to uphold (not interpret). So, if you don't understand the common sense here, let me summarize:

smoking in the Norfolk city council area = against the law;
open carry in the state of Virginia = constututionally protected right.

See the difference now? Regardless of how much you don't like it, your hysterical diatribes cannot wish away the facts. You know what has to be done to try & change it; why don't you work lawfully toward that end?

Let's all go out and purchase a gun and open carry it when and where we want to, and we can all get rich off the city. Here we have City Hall that doesn't allow smoking, but step right in with that gun. Gees, I'm really missing some "common sense' here.

You, madam writer, make The Pilot worth reading. Keep up the good work. Fox could learn 'Fair and Balanced' from you.

I thought this entire article reeked of polarization. Not once did I hear support for the Norfolk Police Dept for investigating the matter. And not once did I read any support for any of the Norfolk City Council Members. All that was reported was the opinion of a Hampton Security Guard who thinks he should openly wear a gun everywhere. You know 50% of security guards and animal control officers have applied for positions on the various Hampton Roads Police Forces and were turned down for good reasons. Did Ms Dougherty explore any of those possibilities since are supposed hero thinks he possesses the power to thwart 7/11 robberies? I think it's time for Ms. Dougherty to move on to her goal @ Fox News so she can rub elbows with people that report just like her. Namely Ann Colter, and that other famous talk show host that accused Virginia Beach of being a sanctuary city, Bill O'Riley.