From [url=www.vcdl.org]VCDL[/url]:

THIS ONE IS HOT, HOT, HOT!

Two petitions to further open gun rights in state parks require the
Department of Conservation and Recreation to initiate a 21 day public
comment period in order to receive comments from interested Virginians on
the proposals.  VCDL is supporting the McHugh Petition, which completely
repeals the gun ban regulation 4 VAC 5-30-200, rather than the Chancey
Petition which merely amends it.

HOWEVER - An employee of the Department of Conservation and Recreation
while at work, using your tax dollars, is
actively working with anti-gunners to subvert attempts for the public
petition to succeed!  When VCDL Board member Paul Moog asked a simple
question about the petition process, the Operations Manager for
Virginia State Parks intentionally passed his email address to an
anti-gun group.
That group provided him a form letter against the petition!!!

As soon as you read this, please IMMEDIATELY cut, paste, and email the
letter below to Regulatory Coordinator at  [email protected]

To be valid, responses MUST include date, name, title (Mr. Ms. etc.),
address, and telephone number.



                                                             (Enter Date)

Dear Regulatory Coordinator:

I strongly support the McHugh Petition to repeal 4 VAC 5-30-200 and thereby
allow open carry of firearms in State Parks unless otherwise restricted by
law.

This has always been the standard for the rest of the Commonwealth, and
there is no justification for disparate policies for state parks that
create confusion and unnecessary legal hassles for law-abiding citizens

The current Virginia State Park gun ban is bad public policy that endangers
honest, law-abiding visitors to the parks.

I urge you to implement the McHugh Petition and repeal 4 VAC 5-30-200.

I also demand that you stop all DCR employees, including your Operations
Manager, from taking sides and using their official capacities to sabotage
these petitions.  Such behavior is an abuse of power and is not acceptable.

Please let me know what you are going to do.

Sincerely,

(Enter Name, Address, and Telephone number)


You can also fax or mail the letter to DCR at:

Mail address:
Regulatory Coordinator, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation,
203 Governor Street, Suite 302, Richmond, VA 23219

fax: Regulatory Coordinator at 804-786-6141

Questions on the process may be addressed by emailing the Regulatory
Coordinator at [email protected].


Ready to be mad?  Here is the letter that anti-gun Virginia
Association for Parks is pushing
with the HELP of at least one DCR employee while she is at work:

Regulatory Coordinator
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
203 Governor Street
Suite 302
Richmond, VA 23219

Dear Sir:

Two petitions-the Chancey Petition and the McHugh
Petition-have been formally submitted asking the Virginia Department
of Conservation to consider two regulatory changes to the State Park
Regulation on Firearms in Parks (4 VAC 5-30-200). The Chancey
Petition asks that the regulation be amended to allow individuals to
carry a holstered firearm openly.  The McHugh Petition goes further
in its effect by asking that the regulation be changed to allow
individuals to openly carry firearms in State Parks unless otherwise
restricted by law. This letter responds to the invitation for public
comment on these two petitions.

As a user of, and a volunteer worker in, the Virginia State
Park System I am adamantly opposed to both petitions. The safety and
security of Virginia's parks and natural areas is of paramount
importance. Visitors to our state parks must have complete confidence
that they can enjoy our parks without concern about the potential for
gun violence. Similarly, park personnel must be able to carry out
their duties without concern about those who might try to use guns in
a dangerous or irresponsible manner.

I currently feel safe from potential gun violence when I am
in a state park, given the existing regulation. However, if the
current regulation is amended as requested by the two subject
petitions, concerns about my safety as well as the safety of others
will result in my drastically reducing, and probably stopping, the
frequency of my visits as a park user. And, due again to safety
concerns, I will probably also be forced to discontinue my volunteer
services to the Virginia State Park System.

Please do not amend the current regulation.