Gun Owner and Property Rights Victory (C&P)

Gun Owner and Property Rights Victory
in Culpeper County

On or around April 15th, Wayne Stephens, a Culpeper County resident and gun owner, contacted his NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) to find out what NRA could do about a proposed ordinance that would limit the ability of gun owners to discharge a firearm on private property that was less than 20 acres. The EVC immediately contacted his NRA Grassroots Coordinator, who put the EVC in touch with Joel Partridge, the NRA-ILA State Legislative Liaison. VSSA was also made aware of the situation. Mr. Partridge said that NRA had noticed a recent up-tick in localities attempting to pass similar measures or to restrict the activity of gun ranges and that they planned to address the matter and would do so in coordination with VSSA.

On Tuesday, May 10, the Culpeper County Rules Committee met before a packed room (probably 100 or more concerned hunters), and the result was very productive. The committee staff began by explaining that the document produced by County Attorney Dave Maddox was not "proposed changes" to the county firearms discharge regulations, but rather, some options worth exploring that the Committee might consider recommending to the entire Board. In general, the Committee Staff went to great lengths to explain that they are opened-minded about this process, and were simply trying to see if there was something that they could do to ensure public safety.

Culpeper County Sheriff H. Lee Hart then took the podium to explain that the Sheriffs Office does not seek any new regulations, and would rather be left alone to enforce the laws currently on the books. Captain Branch from the Sheriffs Office then offered that the Board cannot legislate common sense, and that from his perspective, the only problem in Culpeper County is possibly poor communication among neighbors. Capt Branch also cited the NRA Range Manual to explain proper berm use, etc.

Mr. Partridge spoke after that, and offered that NRA would gladly provide input to the Board prior to them considering any further action, and stressed that before anybody does anything, the Board needs to determine what, if any, problem actually exists. Following his comments, County Administrator Bossio asked if a situation arises, can NRA recommend a local Certified Instructor to intervene and provide a possible solution. About 15 attendees raised their hands and said that they would offer their services.

Several attendees spoke after Mr. Partridge, and generally echoed the same concerns.

In the end, Board Chairman Coates explained that the only issue that needs to be explored is the possibility that some new subdivisions may not be suitable for firearms discharge, and that the Board needs to explore the "highly populated" or "densely populated" definitions to see if there is some room to work within existing code.

Finally, Supervisor Nixon made a motion to "table the issue pending further study." So, the highly controversial "20 acre minimum" and ban on anything larger than .22 seems to be dead. It doesn't seem likely that the Committee has any desire to act on any regulations anytime soon, if at all. NRA will follow up with the Committee members to see what direction they plan to head, but for now, it seems as if all will be quiet for a while.

If you live in Culpeper, please contact members of the Rules Committee and thank them for their openness to listen to their constituents. Also, please contact Sheriff Hart and thank him for standing up for law-abiding gun owners.