Reprinted from

THE DEFENDER

FALL 2024

Come One, Come All to Lobby Day 2025

What you need to know to plan for the most important VCDL event of the year

Minor edits have been made for the web version, but the content is essentially the same. This page will be updated as we get closer to Lobby Day to give you current information.

 The Defender is a quarterly newsletter sent to VCDL Members.  Prior issues are available at VCDL.org/Defender-Newsletter for all to enjoy.  Current issues are typically reserved for members only.  Memberships start at just $25.00 per year and your dues help fund our lobbying efforts, lawsuits to fight for your rights, educational programs, and much more.  Being a Virginia organization, you can see the benefits right here at home.  Visit VCDL.org/Join today to sign up, or VCDL.org/Donate to contribute.

 THE 2025 BILL ANALYSIS WILL BE LINKED HERE ONCE AVAILABLE

Written by Patricia Webb, VCDL Secretary/Treasurer

Every January VCDL is in Richmond, Virginia for Lobby Day.  On that day, which always coincides with Martin Luther King Day, lobbyists and special interest groups visit with lawmakers to make their views known.  This is a uniquely American activity and is accompanied by a rally, typically in Capitol Square.  We are hard at work organizing this show of force for gun rights.  All we need is for you to be there!  The more people rally and lobby, the more effective we can be!  For full details and up to date information visit VCDL.org/LobbyDay.

Since this is the last Defender issue before Lobby Day (January 20, 2025), we are reprinting the most frequently  asked questions and answers so you can be prepared.  Please come and show your support for the Second Amendment in the Commonwealth!

Q: Will there be a rally this year?

A: Yes, we are planning a rally at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square as usual with special guests and speakers.  This year's rally will be at 10:00 a.m. instead of our usual 11:00.  It will be held at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square.  The full schedule for the day and the current list of speakers can be found at VCDL.org/LobbyDaySchedule.

Q: It's a holiday.  Will the General Assembly be in session?

A: Yes. The General Assembly will be starting the new session, and they don't take the day off, even though it's a holiday.

Q: Can I carry at the rally?

A: Carry will be allowed on 9th Street except on the sidewalk that borders Capitol Square.  State law still prohibits firearms in Capitol Square and all state government offices.  See this map for the boundaries.  We need your help to repeal these dangerous laws.  The first step is showing up for Lobby Day.  The next step is watching for the bills to get to committee and sending in the emails and making the phone calls at the appropriate times.

Anti-rights legislators banned guns at the Capitol and General Assembly to discourage us from showing up for Lobby Day.  This shows just how effective your presence is.  We can't let this stop us from being heard.  If we do, they've won.

Q: Does this mean I have to travel unarmed?

A: No!  VCDL Member Brandon Howard is offering a gun check service.  Visit VCDL.org/GunCheck for details and to sign up.  There is a nominal fee of $15.00, and there will be armed guards watching over your EDC piece while you fight for your rights.

Q: What bills are we lobbying for?

A: The list of bills is not complete yet, since the deadline to file is not here.  However, we've got a Legislative Tracking Tool for you to reference, and we'll be publishing a document with all the bills as of Lobby Day, including our positions on each bill and the reasons we support or oppose them.  You'll find many useful tools at VCDL.org/VA-Politics.

Q: Will there be buses?

A:Yes!  We are working on exact routes and will be sending out a VA-ALERT shortly with details.  You can also find updates by navigating to VCDL.org/Travel.  this is where you will find the link to reserve your bus seat, join a carpool, find a hotel room, and more.

Q: Where can I park?

A: Because it is a holiday, you don't have to feed the parking meters if you park on the street.  There are several parking lots near Capitol Square, as well as parking garages.  Be aware that the law bans firearms in state parking garages.  You can find links to parking, restaurants, lodging, and more at VCDL.org/Travel.

Q: How should I dress?

A: Business casual or nicer.  We want to make a good impression to lawmakers and their staff.  Be neat and polite.  Dressing appropriately not only conveys respect, it commands it!

Please note that the rally is outside.  Take the weather into account with your outer garments.  It's been said that there's no bad weather, only bad clothing choices!

Q: Can I bring my kids?  They don't have school that day.

A: Please do!  This can be an educational moment for them, especially if they are school age.  Older high school and college-age participants should connect with Jill McDaniel of the VCDL Academy.

Q: I've never lobbied before.  How will I know what to say?

A: You will be teamed with experienced Lobby Day veterans.  You don't have to speak if you don't feel comfortable doing so, but just by being there you are having an impact.  If you do choose to speak on a bill that you care passionately about , speak from experience.  Make it personal.  Showing how something impacts real people carries more weight than anything.  Be polite and respectful, but let your passion shine through.

Tip: It helps to make a list beforehand.  Jot down a few key points you want to make so you don't get off track or forget to say something important.

Q: Where do I find my team?

A: Teams will be forming near the corner of 9th and Bank Streets.  They will be wearing yellow vests and Guns SAVE Lives stickers.  They will probably be holding orange clipboards as well.  Visit VCDL.org/LobbyDay for useful information and updates, and watch the VA-Alert for important notices.

Q: Will I be on a team that is assigned to my Senator and Delegate?

A: Chances are, no.  But don't let that stop you from making an appointment with your representatives!  In fact, when I've led teams in the past, after we visited our assigned offices we went as a team to the offices of the representatives for each team member.  You can find out who your reps are and much more by visiting VCDL.org/VA-Poitics.

Q: I'm coming from far away.  Are there places where I can stay Sunday night?

A: Yes!  There are a lot of places to stay, both in Richmond and in the outlying areas.  We've linked to a search at VCDL.org/Travel.

Q: Will there be a Pre-Lobby Day dinner this year?

A: Yes!  We will meet at a nearby restaurant on Sunday night, January 19th.  Visit VCDL.org/LobbyDayDinner for details and to RSVP.  We want to give the restaurant a head count at least 3 days prior, so please let us know you're coming as soon as you can.

Summary

This is YOUR chance for face time with your Senator and Delegate.  With the disappointing results in the 2023 General Assembly elections, and the early submission of major gun control bills, we need people to come out and show up like we did in 2020.  See the photo above.  That's the kind of presence which makes a difference!

Don't give up hope or make excuses.  Yes, it will probably be cold.  Yes, there's currently a ban on carry.  But we can't let the gun grabbers win.  So grab your family, friends and neighbors, stuff them into the car, and get yourselves to Richmond on January 15th!

The anti-rights gun grabbers will never give up, and we can't either!

Patricia Webb has been an active VCDL member since 2001.  She was elected to the VCDL Board of Directors in 2018 and is currently serving in that capacity.  She is also the Secretary and Treasurer for the VCDL.  She runs what may be the worlds smallest gun store and lobbies alongside Philip Van Cleave at the General Assembly Building in Richmond.  Her passion is learning, sharing knowledge, and defending our freedom by restoring our 2nd Amendment rights.