Under a 140-year-old law (18.2-283), a person cannot carry a weapon into a place of worship during a service without a "good and sufficient reason" (there is no legal definition of that term).  18.2-283 restricts and complicates the ability of a place of worship to have a comprehensive security plan.

Click here for more information and to send emails to your legislators and the Governor in support of repealing 18.2-283.

Lobby Day 2018 came with its challenges, but VCDL was up to the task. The weather was cold and blustery, plus the General Assembly is undergoing a remodeling project so we were dealing with an unfamiliar floor plan, but as always we overcame the obstacles and were able to leave our Bill Analysis packets with each Delegate and Senator.

Our rally at the bell tower was equally successful. We heard inspirational stories from people like Elizabeth Baran who survived a brutal assault and is working hard for firearm freedom in Maryland. Dr. John Lott, Jr. gave us a lot to think about regarding the failure of the NICS system and its seemingly deliberate design flaws. Several of our Representatives addressed the crowd, including Delegate Dave LaRock and Senators Bill Carrico and Dick Black.

Individual stories from the day can be found in the archives of the VA-ALERTs. Thank you to all who braved the cold. We hope to see you again next year, along with your friends.

Dr. John Lott, Jr. - economist, political commentator, and gun-rights advocate.

Elizabeth Baran - survivor of a brutal attempted murder by her ex-spouse.

Delegate Dave LaRock.

Senator Bill Carrico.

Senator Dick Black.

2018 is around the corner and, with it, the 2018 Legislative Session.  

As always, VCDL will be taking the lead in protecting the rights of gun owners at the General Assembly.

You can keep track of the bills affecting gun owners, and how you can help with each, using our 2018 Legislative Tracking Tool.

VCDL's National Reciprocity Campaign is now in progress!  The campaign will be conducted in several phases.  This is where we are currently.  If you are just now participating in the campaign, please read all the links below and take appropriate action as directed:

Background

Phase 1 - Contact House Judicial Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte

Phase 2 - Contact Your House of Representatives Member

Phase 3 - Contact The Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan

VCDL sued Katie Couric and other responsible parties for the film “Under the Gun” for defamation in Federal District Court in Richmond, Virginia on September 13, 2016. 

As has been widely reported in the media, the "documentary" contains manipulated footage that makes it look like some VCDL Executive members were totally stumped by a question on background checks, when in reality, they immediately began responding.

Q: What is the status of the lawsuit?

• We are currently filing an appeal with the Federal 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, which will be heard in front of a three-judge panel.  We are appealing a ruling by a federal judge that dismissed our claim because in his opinion we didn't answer Couric's question, and thus the judge felt Couric was free to change our answers to anything she wished without causing harm to us!  That would have set a horrible precedent and we simply could not let it stand.
  

Q: Why did the VCDL file this lawsuit?

• It’s the only way to hold Couric and her people accountable.
• Couric has publicly admitted that the film was misleading and misrepresented VCDL, but the filmmakers refuse to fix it or to stop promoting and distributing it.

Q: What does VCDL hope to accomplish with the lawsuit?

• Hold the filmmakers accountable for misleading audiences and misrepresenting the organization.
• Compensate VCDL and VCDL members who were harmed by the film.
• Set the record straight.
• Advance our mission to defend your right to defend yourself.

Q: How is VCDL paying for the lawsuit and the appeal?

• Contributions from members and non-members alike.
• Please consider making a contribution to help hold Couric accountable and to help VCDL defend your right to defend yourself. Unfortunately, filing such a lawsuit is expensive, but VCDL simply cannot let this manipulation and intentional misrepresentation stand!

Q: Where can I get more information?

• To compare the manipulated video footage and the unedited audio recording, and learn more about the case, click here.
• To read the actual complaint that was filed, click here.

To contribute to VCDL, please click here.

If you want to be a part of the winning team working to protect and enhance our rights in Virginia ...