A freshman legislator has started openly carrying her .38 revolver on the floor of the Virginia state Senate.

State Sen. Amanda Chase (R) told The Washington Post that she has begun wearing her revolver visibly strapped to her hip after a colleague was confronted by a group of protesters.

“I’ve had people get in my face. I’ve had people come up and try to touch me inappropriately,” Chase said, adding that her gun acts as a “deterrent.”

The Virginia state Capitol, in Richmond, has lax gun rules and gun-toting visitors are allowed in if they have a concealed-carry permit, the Post reported.

Chase, who owns a small financial services business, told the newspaper that she usually carries her gun concealed because she doesn’t want to “raise alarm for other people.”

However, she decided to openly display her weapon after state Sen. Richard H. Black said he was confronted by immigration activists on Monday over his bill to ban sanctuary cities.

Chase said Black’s encounter “concerned” her and she began openly carrying her revolver on Tuesday, as first noted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

“I’ve had threats. I’ve had stalkers since I’ve been in the General Assembly,” Chase said. “I am going to continue to represent the issues that are important to my constituents, and I’m not going to be intimidated by people who would try to physically harm me.”

The conservative legislator has opposed federal efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) this year, the Post reported.

She said openly carrying her gun has given her more confidence.

“It empowers women,” she said. “I jokingly call it my ERA.”

Chase told the newspaper that she’s had positive reception and has been called a “badass.”

Critics, however, say it isn’t necessary for Chase to carry a gun on the Virginia Senate floor.

“I think the Capitol Police are well trained and do a fabulous job,” said Brian Moran, Virginia’s secretary of public safety and homeland security. “And if any member has concerns, they really should express those to Capitol Police so they feel secure while they’re doing the people’s business in the people’s house.”

State Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D) said her nickname should be “Senator Annie Oakley Chase.”

“If she gets in an argument, what’s she gonna [do], pull out a gun and shoot them?” he said. “I just think it’s absurd.”



https://thehill.com/homenews/s...-gun-on-senate-floor

quote:

Critics, however, say it isn’t necessary for Chase to carry a gun on the Virginia Senate floor.“I think the Capitol Police are well trained and do a fabulous job,” said Brian Moran, Virginia’s secretary of public safety and homeland security. “And if any member has concerns, they really should express those to Capitol Police so they feel secure while they’re doing the people’s business in the people’s house.”

Not sure they really understand why someone would carry a gun. Hey dipshit, she wants to be safe walking from the parking lot to Gen Assembly and back. I don't think she's at all worried about being on the floor.

Second off, thank you Virginia for not going completely blue yet.

quote:

Originally posted by sgalczyn:

State Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D) ...

“If she gets in an argument, what’s she gonna [do], pull out a gun and shoot them?” he said. “I just think it’s absurd.”

You're an idiot.

Any sane and reasonable person has the desire for self preservation. Any living being has the innate instinct for self preservations.

Therefore, being a believer in "intelligent design", a "Creator" or simply "nature and evolution", the thought of anything other than the complete and unabridged acceptance of first premise is insanity, idiocy or just being plain fucked up in the head.

And if you see any of the latter, get them people, off my lawn!

An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. -- Robert A. Heinlein

More power to her. She has the right, so why not take advantage of it.

Good thing she doesn't live in New Mexico.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Good thing she doesn't live in New Mexico.

Ha!

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by sgalczyn:

State Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D) ...

“If she gets in an argument, what’s she gonna [do], pull out a gun and shoot them?” he said. “I just think it’s absurd.”

You're an idiot.

He's a psycho who thinks he's sane, because that's what he would do.

quote:

If she gets in an argument, what’s she gonna [do], pull out a gun and shoot them?” he said. “I just think it’s absurd.

I wonder what other rights this dem turd thinks are absurd?

quote:

Originally posted by airsoft guy:

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by sgalczyn:

State Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D) ...

“If she gets in an argument, what’s she gonna [do], pull out a gun and shoot them?” he said. “I just think it’s absurd.”

You're an idiot.

He's a psycho who thinks he's sane, because that's what he would do.

He's the twat who proposed several of the new gun laws for Virginia mentioned in the other thread. Fortunately most died in committee.

I think it's awesome! Thank goodness the laundry list of anti-gun bills introduced have been killed in committee. I think it would be a loud statement, for as many of the R legislators we have in there, to all open carry one day in a show of solidarity for pro-2A values the majority of the state has.

quote:

Originally posted by policetruck:
I think it's awesome! Thank goodness the laundry list of anti-gun bills introduced have been killed in committee. I think it would be a loud statement, for as many of the R legislators we have in there, to all open carry one day in a show of solidarity for pro-2A values the majority of the state has.

I also think it is great!

A few years ago I was in a Lowe's store check out line and just ahead of me was a young woman accompanied by her 3 children. Kids aged from about 10-11 down to 3. Prominently on her hip was a 357mag. I commented to my son in law that that is something we do not see everyday, and armed woman. She heard me, turned and flashed me the most brilliant smile! I know 3 women down in SW Virginia who never leave home without their pistol.

quote:

Critics, however, say it isn’t necessary for Chase to carry a gun on the Virginia Senate floor.

Guns are never necessary, until they are.

quote:

State Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D) ...

And if his life is threatened, what is he gonna do, roll into a fetal position and whimper "Oh please, don't shoot me."? I think that's absurd!

Representative Chase was interviewed yesterday on local radio. She was quite rational, and said she wasn't trying to "send a message," but that she simply wanted to protect herself.

quote:

Originally posted by fpuhan:
Representative Chase was interviewed yesterday on local radio. She was quite rational, and said she wasn't trying to "send a message," but that she simply wanted to protect herself.

WRVA had a blurb the other day that included her making comments about it,

basically without going in to detail, she mentioned security and felt a need outside the gov buildings,

I say good for her, and makes me glad I voted for her

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
I say good for her, and makes me glad I voted for her

Hmmm, a politician who not only doesn’t think guns are the problem, but clearly and openly sees them as part of the solution. What a novel concept! We need more like her.

quote:

Originally posted by sgalczyn:
“If she gets in an argument, what’s she gonna [do], pull out a gun and shoot them?” he said. “I just think it’s absurd.”

Leftist projection. They lack functional brains and an ability to remain calm during arguments, so they project their insecurities onto the adults in the room. Yes, I understand you leftist asshole, if YOU had a gun on your hip, and got into an argument with a racist misogynist white republican, you are likely to pull out your gun and start shooting. Your diminished leftist brain says that behavior is OK.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Good thing she doesn't live in New Mexico.

...or New Hampshire with our infestation of border jumpers from the south.

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:

quote:

Originally posted by fpuhan:
Representative Chase was interviewed yesterday on local radio. She was quite rational, and said she wasn't trying to "send a message," but that she simply wanted to protect herself.

WRVA had a blurb the other day that included her making comments about it,

basically without going in to detail, she mentioned security and felt a need outside the gov buildings,

I say good for her, and makes me glad I voted for her

I heard an interview with her on Fox News yesterday while driving. I think she did a nice job. Good for her.

When I was in Tallahassee during the legislative session last year a bill had been introduced to allow legislators to carry in the capitol when the legislature is in session. The bill died in committee, but personal security is obviously on some of their minds in a number of states.