Gentlemen: Regarding the JPFO LTE in the Feb/March
2007 issue of Concealed Carry Magazine, in Virginia, we have
endured several examples of the kind of LEO attitudes and behavior
which Officer Michael Brown seem to dismiss out of hand.
The most recent, and most egregious, incident
occurred at a Manassas pizza shop. In a nutshell, seven law-abiding
citizens were dining at a pizza shop in Manassas. They were
carrying their normally-concealed handguns openly, as required
by VA statute in restaurants that sell and serve alcohol for
on-premises consumption.
Apparently an unidentified "concerned citizen"
(perhaps some hoplophobic trouble-maker) called 9-1-1, and the
Manassas PD showed up in force. Despite there being no crime
being committed, "disturbance" or any other "probable
cause", the officers demanded ID, told them first to "conceal
their guns" (which is illegal under the VA concealed carry
statute). When the citizens refused, and tried to explain by
citing the statute, the officers became more abusive, ordered
the citizens to put their guns in their car(s), and subsequently
coerced the pizza shop owner to "kick the F'ing retards
out', quoting from Manassas PD officers' emails, obtained through
FOIA requests.
If this isn't bad enough, after VCDL addressed
the Manassas City Counsel to try to remedy this police misconduct,
the Manassas PD Chief, one John J. Skinner, embarked on a blatant
whitewash/coverup, revealing himself to be more a part of the
problem, than an agent of resolution.
IMHO, we should not need to be afraid of LEOS,
and officers like those in the Manassas PD (and apparently their
Chief), who are ignorant of, or indifferent, to VA firearms
law, and so arrogant or poorly trained that they think they
can run roughshod over citizens who are trying their best to
follow the law (no matter how it endangers them), need to be
brought back under control or relieved of duty!
For all the gory details, and updates to follow,
please visit www.vcdl.org and click "03/27/07
- Manassas - the police cover up begins" link.
DK
