Va is lost and here's why...

[baggss]

I had the opportunity to do some work at a test facility in New Jersey recently; worked with folks I’ve known for a number of years. Some of them were NJ residents, a few like me were Ca residents, but the rest were mostly Va residents. We were all prior military, mostly white middle-aged males, but there was a younger African American male and older African American male in the group as well. Ages ranged from low 30s to high 60s. During the testing, the discussion turned to politics and pretty much across the board, everyone supported Trump.

Eventually we moved on to firearms. The guys from NJ had more or less given up on firearms ownership since the state made it difficult to even own a gun. Those of us from Ca were gun enthusiasts who owned and carried. What surprised me was the guys from Va. To a person they all thought Universal background checks, waiting periods, gun purchase limits (1 in 30 days) and registration were just fine and did not understand why anyone was having a problem with them. We discussed it but they all were not inclined to be open minded about anything or why these were all bad things for gun owners. SMFH. Seems the average Va Trump supporter seems ambivalent to what happening in their state when it comes to guns. These folks are why Va is lost already.

I was surprised that both of the African American supported Trump, but it was a pleasant surprise. Both had grown up in the south and the older guy, aged 68, absolutely hated Democrats. Said he lived through Jim Crow in the Deep South and wanted nothing to do with the Dem party.

[Den60]

I would have used this as a teaching moment. All these gun control laws sound great until you delve into the details.

Universal Background Checks: Who really wants to sell a gun to a criminal who will be using it to commit crimes? Only those that are, themselves, criminals. But when you add the fact that registration is part of the process and that criminals don't go to gun stores or shows to buy firearms it shows this to be a simply "I feel like I am doing something" moment.

Red Flag Laws: Again, who wants to sell a firearm to a psychotic killer so he can shoot up a school. Pretty much no one unless they, themselves, are psychotic. But then you get into issues of violations of Constitutional rights and such. I tend to like to elevate this by saying if they cannot be trusted to own a firearm they can't be trusted to roam free in public. Now you are talking about jailing people without due process and the "feel goodness" of this starts to dissolve.

You can develop your own thoughts on waiting periods and the one gun per month rule following the same sort of logic.

[audiophil2]

Sadly that is a common sentiment in every state.
Gun owners are brainwashed or shamed into thinking guns are bad.

[baggss]

I would have used this as a teaching moment.

I did, but it didn't make any difference. They all seemed to have their minds set/closed to any idea of why these are bad ideas. Several of them even thought the state knowing who had what registered to them was a great way to solve gun crimes. I pointed out how well that wasn't working in other states, to no avail.

[Rem222]

"Va is lost and here's why..."

I spent a week in Sandston VA last October. I could not disagree with you more.

[baggss]

"Va is lost and here's why..."

I spent a week in Sandston VA last October. I could not disagree with you more.

I'm actually glad to hear that...

[HUTCH 7.62]

[CessnaDriver]

Not sure that impacts court battles. It’s going to be fought there regardless.

[The War Wagon]

Curiously, NONE of the 30,000 who showed up on the capital last month, thought just BS laws were a good idea...

[Scratch705]

Curiously, NONE of the 30,000 who showed up on the capital last month, thought just BS laws were a good idea...

but were all 30,000 residents of VA? and also that is 30,000 in a state of 8.5 million (as of 2018) and of 5,682,805 registered voters as of 1/31/20

that isn't enough to vote to stop any gun control bills.

[OlderThanDirt]

I think it is something like three counties in VA are lost. The other 92 counties might feel a little different.

[Dan_Eastvale]

VA and sanctuary counties' and cities' resolutions are only statements, currently with no teeth. If Trump wins and is able to appoint at least one more SCOTUS judge and more Circuit judges, they, and California stand a chance. If not, it's all dust in the wind for all 50 states.

[isntzen]

VA and sanctuary counties' and cities' resolutions are only statements, currently with no teeth. If Trump wins and is able to appoint at least one more SCOTUS judge and more Circuit judges, they, and California stand a chance. If not, it's all dust in the wind for all 50 states.

The implementation of enumerated Constitutional rights is purview of the courts and is not subject to the whims of popular opinion or usurping by megalomaniac billionaires. Save the overwhelming support required for Constitutional amendment, 2A freedom is simply a matter of SCOTUS and the lower courts doing what they are paid to do.
Let's hope we get a favorable result regarding the current 2A case the Supreme Court has agreed to decide.

[Jimi Jah]

Over 1/2 of the people living in Virginia were born in other states. They brought their beliefs with them.

Over 1/2 of the people in California are also from other places.

[Scratch705]

Over 1/2 of the people living in Virginia were born in other states. They brought their beliefs with them.

Over 1/2 of the people in California are also from other places.

even without that outside half in CA, the residents of this state is still overwhelmingly liberal.