Almost official: Guns OK in town parks
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By Allison Brophy Champion
Published: May 11, 2008
Nearly three years after the controversial issue initially surfaced, the town of Culpeper is getting around to changing its ordinance that lifts the ban on guns in town parks.
At its meeting Tuesday, Town Council will consider a recommendation from the Ordinance Committee to delete “firearms” from its list of activities and items that are “strictly prohibited” in town parks.
That’s because state “preemption laws” enacted in 2004 by the General Assembly supersede most local gun laws, including the town’s prohibition of guns in its parks.
Richmond-based Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun rights activist group, brought the gun law change to the attention of the town of Culpeper in 2005, at which time park signs were changed to remove firearms from the list of prohibited items.
But not before former Town Manager Brannon Godfrey, now Winchester city manager, exchanged a series of interesting e-mails with VCDL about the gun debate — and the age-old debate of state law vs. local law.
According to Philip Van Cleave, president of the organization, any law-abiding Virginia citizen can carry a gun openly (with no permit) or concealed (with a permit) into any local park, he said in an e-mail to the Star-Exponent in October 2005, when the issue came to a head.
It was around this time, and following a multi-month “letter-writing campaign,” according to Godfrey, that the former town manager fired off an e-mail to VCDL member Mike Stollenwerk of Fairfax County — in German.
Here’s what it said: “Mr. Stollenwerk — many thanks for serving as our moral conscience. Culpeper would be lost without the patronizing guidance of the people like you in Northern Virginia. Long live the state! Sincerely, Brannon Godfrey.”
Godfrey later admitted his “attempt at subtle humor was unprofessional,” saying the last part was a reference to “a dictatorial state,” a la the Nazis.
“I closed with ‘Long live the State,” a rather obvious reference to our lack of local autonomy to make our own park rules,” Godfrey said in an e-mail to the Star-Exponent Oct. 4, 2005.
Three years later, the town attorney has prepared the proper ordinance amendment to put the town code in line with state law in regards to guns in parks.
The recommendation made its way out of the Ordinance Committee this week, and it comes before Town Council at its meeting Tuesday for adoption.
If adopted, “firearms” will be removed from the list of items prohibited in town parks, as shown in Sec. 15-4.
Also prohibited are: alcohol, drugs, gambling, littering, loud noise, glass containers, vandalism, swimming in town lakes or ponds, motorized vehicles, skateboarding or biking without a helmet, commercial activities, horses and dogs running at large.
Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or .
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( OpenYrEyes ) on May 23, 2008 at 10:50 am
So what happened to my comment, posted within the last 2 days?
There wasn’t anything obscene or insulting in it. Another “spiked” comment because it didn’t fit the pre-conceived notions of this site?
Posted by ( OpenYrEyes ) on May 22, 2008 at 6:32 pm
“Godfrey later admitted his “attempt at subtle humor was unprofessional,” saying the last part was a reference to “a dictatorial state,” a la the Nazis.”
------
I find it disgusting that the town manager would somehow compare those who want to defend their constitutional rights - to Nazis, since it was the Nazis who would not allow Jews to possess any firearms.
The few Jews who kept their guns were at least able to put up a fight after Nazi Germany established gun control in 1938; and from 1939 to 1945, 13 million Jews and others, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Posted by ( Clint ) on May 15, 2008 at 11:15 pm
semper fi mom – you forgot Charles Bronson on your list.
Please don’t let Hollywood or the media paint the portrait of the typical gun owner for you. There are literally millions of us in this nation. Some are collectors, some are sporting enthusiasts, some just have that one .38 they keep in their purse in case they break down at night and find themselves vulnerable until the tow truck gets there.
I find it a contradiction that it has been asserted in these comments that Yowell Park is such a safe place because no one there wants to do anyone any harm. Then, it is immediately turned around that if someone is in possession of a firearm it will make them into a monster bent on destruction (like in the movies)! I would ask, when you get behind the wheel of your car, do you suddenly want to mow down pedestrians? When you walk across an overpass, do you want to drop bricks on passing cars? I’m guessing the answer is no, or even if you want to, you do not act out on those urges. That is because the average person has not only a fear of or duty to the law, they also have an inner moral imperative that makes them act as a decent member of the society.
The firearm carried for self defense is to keep those in check that lack that sense of law or the constructs of morality and thereby act in a violent way. That is all. It is not to inflict harm, it is to prevent it. It is a moral right to defend oneself, one’s family, or one’s fellow human being. The Lord gave cats claws, bees stingers, birds flight, and humans the ability to use tools. My handgun is the most effective tool I have for that purpose. It makes the 80 year old lady equal to the 18 year old thug. The handgun carried for self defense PRESERVES the fabric of civilization against those who do not follow the norms and mores of society. Denying those at a disadvantage the basic human right of self-defense takes us back to the law of the jungle!
As a final note, I am judging by your screen name that you have a son or daughter in the Marines? If so, I am very grateful for the service they are doing for me, my family and my country. They are indeed the final stop gap against those that would deny me the liberty I so fiercely contend for reflected in this exchange.
Unless anyone has any other reasonable counters, thank you for a spirited, albeit slow due to moderating, discussion. You can have the final word.
Posted by ( semper fi mom ) on May 15, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Clint - No, I would call 911 if my neighbor’s property were on fire, and I would try to make sure they got out. I was not debating fire extinguishers nor arguing your anaology. I don’t argue the right own a firearm - I do not understand the “need” to have multiple weapons, including semi-auto; nor the “need” to be armed in a park full of children. It is your right. It’s sad that you are that worried or frightened or perhaps the John Wayne outlook—whatever—I’m glad, though, that my kids don’t play in a park where there is the potential of anyone going John Wayne or Eastwood or Postal if they get into an altercation with someone and it escalates to an armed individual pulling and using his/her weapon. If this were NY City, Central Park - obviously, that’s very dangerous. So is Manassas. Many places are. But for now, while Culpeper has issues - a day in the park so far, has not been dangerous beyond falling off swings or skateboards, or tripping on the trail.
Posted by ( Clint ) on May 15, 2008 at 1:06 pm
What of the other 1% of the time, semper fi mom? That you cite a specific “99%” signifies that you at least recognize that you are not living in a utopia. Your arguments echo the sentiments of those who have created “gun free” zones and enabled criminals to act with impunity. The “chances” are never zero. Hence, we have a right to be prepared.
Also, if you like, I’ll continue the banter about the fire extinguisher/firearm analogy, though I suspect you have already gotten the point and just want to argue. That is wonderful that you are so careful and clean in your kitchen. Do you also turn off all the main electrical breakers in your home when you go to bed? Do you turn off your heat at night in the winter and extinguish the pilot? Do you regularly remove the exhaust hose from your dryer to clean out the lint? Have you ever removed the duct work from your stove hood to remove built up grease?
Do all of the rooms in your house have multiple exits in case one is blocked? You may not have the option to get out.
What of your neighbors? Would you let their property burn because they are not as clean and careful as you? Or would you pull out your extinguisher and come to their aid?
It’s just not a perfect world, ma’am, and being prepared can mean the difference between life and death.
Posted by ( semper fi mom ) on May 15, 2008 at 11:06 am
Clint, IN the Town of Culpeper, at the Yowell Park, during the day time - what are the chances? 99% of the time....0, nada, zip, none. Look at the complaints/incident reports of law enforcment. At home, I have a higher chance of a fire - but as I am not careless and things are in good repair - have never had one. I have a fire hydrant outside my home, fire/smoke sensors/alarms in the house, but I do not have a fire extinguisher. If my home starts to burn - I’m getting out. I’ve never had a cooking fire - however, I don’t fry, have a flat cook-top, and am neat and clean.
Posted by ( Clint ) on May 15, 2008 at 12:54 am
I just noticed my error. I was responding to CulpeperWalker in my last post, not semper fi mom. My apologies for any confusion.
Posted by ( Clint ) on May 14, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Semperfimom – Thank you for your kind reply.
I’m sorry the logic between firearms carried for self-defense and fire extinguishers was lost on you but the analogy is quite strong. Both are only used in an emergency. Both are used to save the life or health of self or loved ones. One hopes they never need either but is glad to have them should the need ever arise.
No one is saying that anyone HAS to carry a firearm. That is a personal choice, but that the right exists is of benefit to all. I am armed, you are not. The criminal does not know which of is and which of us is not. And, I would add, it IS a “right” not a “privilege”. If you really do respect that right, we have no quarrel. I, likewise, respect your right NOT to carry, though I would encourage any citizen to learn how to use a gun defensively.
Finally, no I am not Mr. Eastwood though he shares many of the same libertarian ideas, including firearm rights, that I do. He’s a bit older, a lot richer, and I suspect he has more leisure time.
Posted by ( VCDL President ) on May 14, 2008 at 11:26 am
Culpeperwalker - my answers to your last post:
“I EXPECT fully deputized, law enforcement officers to carry a sidearm at all times.”
Why? - you claim that parks are safe during the day, so why would police need a gun during the day? Pulling teeth here: because crime can happen at any time.
“I guess if college professors at VA Tech had been able to carry a weapon in Blacksburg, it would have saved lives?”
Very, very possibly it might have.
“‘Carrying a weapon in the park’ is to ‘needing a fire extinguisher’ as ... this is not logic.”
There most certainly is a correlation! Both are devices to be used in an emergency to save lives while you wait for the authorities to get there.
“I for one will not be packing heat when I take my family to the park.”
That is your right and your choice. No one is pushing to require that you carry a gun in a park, but those pushing to take away MY right to do so are wrong-headed.
Posted by ( CulpeperWalker ) on May 13, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I am responding to the following:
“semperfi mom asked: WHY do you NEED to carry a weapon in the park?”
“Clint responds: WHY do you NEED a fire extinguisher in your home?”
Clint ... or should I say “Mr. Eastwood” - Umm. That’s a leap. Let’s see “Carrying a weapon in the park” is to “needing a fire extinguisher” as ... this is not logic.
I will say this: even though I have the right to carry a gun and respect (I presume) your right to carry one, I for one will not be packing heat when I take my family to the park.
And to “vcdl president’s” comment:
“Do police leave their guns at in the car during the daytime or while patrolling a park? No, I wonder why?”
- I EXPECT fully deputized, law enforcement officers to carry a sidearm at all times. I don’t expect my neighbor to do so.
I guess if college professors at VA Tech had been able to carry a weapon in Blacksburg, it would have saved lives?