State’s Largest Gun Rights Group Protests Innsbrook Republican Rally
On Saturday afternoon, Republican Whip and Short Pump resident Eric Cantor hosted the 2009 Republican Round-Up, an annual rally at the Innsbrook SnagAJob Pavilion. Outside the gates, several hundred members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), protested the event’s venue choice.
VCDL is the state’s largest firearms rights group and has been successful in influencing legislation affecting gun owners’ rights in the past.
The Innsbrook SnagAJob Pavilion is private property, separate from the rest of the Innsbrook Corporate Center. The venue, home to popular Summer concert series Innsbrook After Hours, does not allow firearms at the concerts or any other event.
“Four years ago, a couple of our members showed up and were turned away because of their firearms,” VCDL board member Bruce Jackson said. “We found [the Republican Round-Up] another location and they turned that down and said, ‘Well it’s pro-gun but it doesn’t allow alcohol,’ and apparently drinking is more important than the Constitution to Eric Cantor.”
Jackson went on to explain that the organization then found another venue that was was both pro-gun and alcohol, as well as conveniently located, which was also turned down. “The truth is they are just not pro-gun,” Jackson said. “They are holding their event repeatedly at a place that bans firearms. We’re trying to prove to the Republican Party that firearms are important and need to be allowed in their events.”
VCDL claims to be a non-partisan group with members from all across the political spectrum, but many seemed to hold issue with the party as a whole solely for its decision to hold the Round-Up at the Innsbrook Pavilion.
“Part of the platform of the Republican Party is the protection of the Second Amendment,” VCDL President Philip Van Cleave said. “Yet every year, they pick this one anti-gun location where we can’t do an open carry. You either believe in the Second Amendment or you don’t, and they’re apparently trying to have a gun-free zone and we’re protesting that. We have people who are even willing to pay for a new location, but they are simply not willing to move.”
Van Cleave calls the party’s actions “hypocritical” and says the group will continue to protest with more members each year until their concerns are heard.
Interact: What do you make of the Republican Party’s venue decision? Do you think the VCDL should protest it? Leave your comments below.
Loading ...
I concur with Julie. I appreciate your thoughtful comments about love, Jeff W., but then I look above and see Pete being called an “azs wipe” when he objects to an angry rant about carrying a gun 24/7. I think the bottom line here is that you are not loving anyone when you refuse to respect their views on this issue when they differ from yours. You might think it’s a safer environment when everyone in a room (non-law enforcement) is carrying a loaded handgun. Others might – legitimately – feel differently and be very uncomfortable about that prospect. Finally, regarding victims of gun violence, I’ve always found that they are the last people to argue for freer access to guns, the families from the Virginia Tech and Appalachian Law School shootings being an obvious example.
Thank you, too, Julie; for your comments. The good guys are the guys who lay down their lives for you; from seemingly small insignificant ways; to much larger personal sacrifices that usually are quite unexpected.
The bad guys are the ones who abuse you; from deceptive smiling faces sometimes; hiding poised-to-strike-at-your-vulnerabilities schemes; to blatant cold callous calculating extreme indifference for any minute portion of your life soulless men. Avoid these guys at all costs; and if by happenstance you are incidentally exposed to one of them in an adverse confrontation; I pray for Providence to provide a good guy to your defense.
Thank you again for your kind expressions; God bless!
Tommy, I totally agree; and perhaps seemingly gave the wrong impression if you understood me to presume upon anyone’s choice to not carry; or when empowered lawfully; to deny me or anyone else carry in or at any particular venue. I totally respect that choice, and right. I would not presume upon anyone that which I would not want anyone to presume upon me. Do unto others, right?
For this particular occasion, there was a peaceful protest of the 7th District Republican Committee’s decision on holding their event at a place of gathering that is an affront to those of us who carry. It is simply because we believe that even though the Party has identified as a plank of their platform an item we believe to be of national security; that is; an unalienable right, the Second Amendment, that which we hold dear (and again, not only for our own sakes; but for all; and our posterity); and has solicited our support of them as a result; we now wonder if they are capitulating their support of us because of their behavior of holding their gathering at the aforementioned place; not allowing a debate or more than reasonable ageeable alternative, and perhaps even as much as marginalizing us in the process.
However, even having said all that; I understand that it is our affinity to emote this way; and that some might not be so passionately inclined; I respect that. We are simply trying to ensure that our voices are heard.
Even so; the love for you still stands sure; as I believe that is an unalienable right as well.
I can’t even in the minutest way imagine the horror that the VT families have suffered (though I lost a sister to drowning at age 8; and a father to aneurysm at age 11); and hope never to experience the same in my own family. However; I can’t help but wonder that the families would never have become a part of this debate, had carry been allowed in that carryless venue.
God bless.
Gosh. Republicans are so unintelligent sometimes… Thank you for really representing your party! What exactly are you protesting? The right to not have common sense but still have the right to own a pistol in public? Where Eric Cantor chooses where to have his “Republican Roundup” is his business. Not yours! Also, would you have any problems if he decided to host it at a local school? If yes, then you have mental issues and don’t deserve to own a gun in the first place. This is just another example of right wing idiots at their finest, protesting about another pointless argument. At least this protest isn’t about something more meaningful, like oh I don’t know, maybe the President. Seriously, thank you for representing your “fine gun owning selves.” I would not want you around my children if you idiots think you have the right to carry a gun anywhere, even if that includes a school…
@ Jeff. Oh yes. “I can’t even in the minutest way imagine the horror that the VT families have suffered (though I lost a sister to drowning at age 8; and a father to aneurysm at age 11); and hope never to experience the same in my own family. However; I can’t help but wonder that the families would never have become a part of this debate, had carry been allowed in that carryless venue.”
ARE YOU SERIOUS!? Oh yes. That’s the answer to our kids safety. Imagine a world where DRUNK FRAT BOYS are allowed to carry GUNS! People, really? Again. You pro-gun supporters sometimes take things a little too far…