To: The Virginia State House, The Virginia State Senate, and Governor Ralph Northam

End the Deliberately Intimidating Display of Firearms in Public Domain

Private citizens should not be allowed to carry firearms openly in public; this creates a provocative and intimidating environment for the general public.

Why is this important?

BOTH responsible gun owners and non-gun owners demand action. The open carrying of firearms on the streets and in places like restaurants, grocery stores, malls, playgrounds, parks and neighborhoods intimidates the public, wastes law enforcement resources, and increases the risk that someone will be injured or killed from the accidental or intentional use of firearms. Open carry advocates create a potentially very dangerous situation. When law enforcement is called to a "man with a gun" call, they are responding to a situation about which they have few details other than that one or more people are present at a location and are armed. Consequently, the law enforcement response is one of "hypervigilant urgency" in order to protect the public from an armed threat.

When ELECTED OFFICIALS do not take action to prevent gun violence, Americans will take matters into their own hands with their VOTES. Let these political candidates know that they will NOT get your VOTE unless they address gun violence and implement change. BOTH responsible gun owners and non-gun owners demand action.

All 50 states now have some form of Concealed Carry; open carry is no longer a necessary option. The carrying of unloaded rifles has absolutely no defensive utility other than to be used for the express purpose of intimidation. Simply because one has the "right" to do something, does not make it the right thing to do.