HOW I SEE IT: Jenkins explains his gun ordinance vote

Steve Jenkins
Published: September 24, 2008

As a member of the Town Council, I did not support the recently proposed regulations on firing guns in town.

However, I wanted you, the citizens, to know my decision — contrary to the assertion in Gordon Meriwether’s Sept. 18 column titled “Town Council trick or treat” — was not the result of being bullied or intimidated.

My decision not to support the recommendation coming from Chief of Police Scott Barlow was based on having lived in the town of Culpeper for 47 years and the knowledge that individuals shooting firearms in town are killing varmints mostly destroying their gardens.

Also, I received no phone calls from residents asking that the town adopt the proposed regulation.

On the contrary, I received many calls from town residents, mostly those who have lived here for many years and not just a couple of years, totally against the recommendation.

Mr. Meriwether took excep-tion to individuals having their pistols on their sides, not concealed.

This is their constitutional right, and I certainly support it.

Those who were at the meeting don’t concern me; it is the individual with the hidden weapon who does.

I found it humorous that Mr. Meriwether took offense to a constitutional right, yet in his past columns he has supported illegal aliens in our community and he has argued against enforcing our country’s laws and addressing a community problem.

A question I would have for Mr. Meriwether is this:  What does Vienna have to do with Culpeper?

Welcome to the country, what little bit we still have left, Mr. Meriwether.

The individuals who spoke against the proposed ordinance did so in a respectful and considerate manner.

There was only one speaker who became antagonistic, and Mr. Meriwether should know him well.

Steve Jenkins is a resident of Culpeper and a Town Council member.