A few of us on Iowacarry.org are looking into whether the good folks at Roanoke Firearms are willing/able to ship ammunition out of state. We felt it might do some good to show support for them given the barrage of hateful, irrational attacks they've been getting lately via phone and email (causing them to temporarily take down their website, and stop answering the phone).

Is there anyone in the area who might be willing to get in touch with them to see if they'd be willing to contact someone from IC.org to talk about it with us?


Would greatly appreciate any help anyone can provide.

I went in yesterday and I can tell you that they are swamped right now.  The phone would not stop ringing.  The press has been giving them hell.  Also the banners are calling to cuss at them for selling the gun.  

That said, I have their info and can give it to you via PM.  I cannot make it to the store today to talk to them personally.

I have a contact that is looking to buy a specific pistol from them.  I advised him to wait a few days to call as they will probably not be able to talk.  

The cool thing is that I saw at least 4 4473's going at the same time.  They are getting business.

FYI from the VCDL:

I received this from DC Chastain with Roanoke Firearms. The email address if you want to contact them by email is: [email protected] --


Good morning, Mr. Van Cleave, As a subscriber to your newsletter, I received the supportive email alert you sent out this morning.  Thank you so very much for your kind words. As you can imagine, we have been positively inundated by media from, literally, all over the world.  At one time Tuesday, John was in the parking lot interviewing on camera with film crews from Russia, The Netherlands, Japan, and various and sundry folks from around the US and Canada.  We couldn't even get to him to hand him a cold drink. Even though John has a really bad back, he soldiered on for nine non-stop hours just that day doing the same thing.  Wednesday and Thursday were more of thesame. While he was outside, we were inside trying to conduct business.  Our phone has been ringing non-stop, and I'm not misusing that word -- as soon as we hang up from one call, there's another waiting.  I've spoken to media from every major US network, every major newspaper in North America, and radio stations from the US, Canada, Europe, and places I'd never even heard of.  As a side note, watch closely what you say to the reporters from the UK.  The London Independent absolutely roasted us by twisting John's words inexcusably. I finally suspended our website at www.roanokefirearms.com and put up a note to all the haters who've left us everything from threats to simple "shame on you" emails.  I also left a thank you note to the smaller, but highly appreciated percentage who left notes of support. As you noted in your alert, this Cho clown was indistinguishable from any of the many other college-age kids who come into our shop.  He was cordial, and acted absolutely normal.  Had he acted in any other way, we would not have made the sale.  All of us at Roanoke Firearms are devastated by the carnage at Virginia Tech.  We can only imagine the pain and suffering being experienced by the families and friends of the victims, and by the surviving victims. Thank you very much for your support.  We appreciate you very much, as always.  If your customers get a busy signal when they call, and encounter a full voice mailbox, we apologize.  The media frenzy, while showing signs of letting up, continues... Please keep us, and all in any way associated with this tragedy, in your prayers. Respectfully,Dennis "DC" ChastainManager, Roanoke Firearms

I was in there an hour ago.  The owner and one other employee were working the counter, and they had three (or maybe four) 4473's going at the time, so yeah, they're staying busy.  Good thing to see.

Damn good idea ArmedFerret!  

More of 'not-so-local' VA guys should do something similar...