More Knee-jerk Reactions

 As of Feb. 1, Virginia will no longer honor concealed firearm permits from 25 other states that have less-stringent gun permit laws. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring stated thato25 states have lax laws compared with Virginia, where a history of stalking, drug dealing or inpatient mental health treatment can disqualify someone from carrying a concealed handgun. The move is in step with actions governors and attorneys general are taking to address gun violence without going through Republican-controlled legislatures.

“While you are here, you are subject to the Commonwealth’s gun laws,” Herring said during a news conference.

What Herring didn’t and probably couldn’t say is how many crimes are committed by out of state concealed carry permit carriers who have reciprocity in Virginia.

If he doesn’t have facts to back it up it is probably because there are no facts to back it up.

Once again we have an elected official circumventing the Virginia legislature by fiat without facts. Once again we have another ruling that is rhetoric over substance. “If it sounds good it must be good even if it doesn’t do any good.”

This ruling will directly affect 420,000 Virginia concealed carry permit holders who will lose reciprocity with other states. It will also potentially affect 6.3 million people from other states who will lose the right to carry a legal gun.

If you are one of those supporting this particular decision just remember, the next attorney general might be making decisions you will disagree with and you will have no recourse then either.