Ravenwood - 04/22/03 07:30 AM
I am a native Virginian. I was born in Portsmouth, and except for a 3 year stint in Italy, I have lived most of my life in Virginia. I lived a wonderful two years in Georgia, followed by a nice year in Ohio, before relocating back to Virginia this month. Now, I'm treated like a second class citizen. Actually, I'm being treated more like a second class human, in that my basic human rights are being denied.
You know, I didn't mind so much when I got shit from the DMV over my 2 year old car. Since I just titled it in Ohio 9 months ago, they won't let me title it here until I show proof of sales tax paid, or proof that the car is over 12 months old. I showed them my Georgia registration from two years ago, but they won't take it. I figure I'll just wait until I hit the 12 month mark and try again.
No, what really bugs me is that Virginia is denying me my Constitutionally protected, unalienable right to keep and bear arms. At first I thought that wording was a bit strong, but in retrospect, that is precisely what they are doing. I moved into my apartment on April 7th, and got my Virginia driver's license on April 11th. I purchased a firearm on April 15th. It's all bought and paid for, but I cannot take it home yet. At first I was told that Fairfax County requires an extra special background check, so I'll have to wait 72 hours. I shrugged that off as 'live and learn' and figured I'd just never buy a gun in Fairfax County again. But today, 6 days after paying for my revolver, I was told that I still cannot take it home.
You see, I have to wait until May 11th for my Constitutionally protected, unalienable right to keep and bear arms to kick in. The dealer told me that I'm not considered a Virginia resident yet, since my license was issued less than 30 days ago. Interestingly enough, I had no trouble signing up for my utilities, or paying Virginia income tax. I'm sure people buying a car don't have to wait 30 days until they can pick it up. Why then do gun purchasers have to wait until they have been residents for 30 days to buy a gun? Is my state issued driver's license somehow more legitimate after 30 days? Am I somehow more trustworthy after 30 days?
Right now, my options are limited. There isn't much I can do at this point, except wait until May 11th and then go pick up my new revolver. The only revenge I can come up with is to hit them where it hurts the most. I figure next April, when I do my taxes, you can bet that I'll move the split on my state tax bill back a month, so that I'm not paying Virginia income taxes until May 11th. After all, if I can't enjoy all the freedoms that other Virginian's enjoy for the first 30 days, why should I pay for it?
See, In Ohio you could have carried your gun home with you. Plus you would be able to legally drive your gas guzzling SUV!
Posted by: Tazteck at April 22, 2003 2:35 PMWhat are you talking about? I've been driving around on expired Ohio plates since November.
Posted by: Ravenwood at April 22, 2003 3:44 PMWhy didn't they tell you this when you purchased the gun? That's MY question. Oh...yeah. Right. It's a SALE.
Posted by: Da Goddess at April 22, 2003 4:18 PM“Suppose the Second amendment said ‘A well-educated electorate being necessary for self-governance in a free state, the right of the people to keep and read books shall not be infringed.’ Is there anyone who would suggest that means only registered voters have a right to read?”--Rep. Ron Paul
Why can't you tell your credit card company to sit on the payment until May 11? It is a small thing but it is still your money, which has been taken without delivery of goods.
I could do that. I could probably contest the charge and get a full refund.
My problem, however, is with the Commonwealth, and not with the dealer. Although I feel the dealer *should* have let me know up front, I honestly think that he just didn't realize that I just moved here.
In my own opinion, punishing the dealer because of my grievance with the Commonwealth just makes me look like an asshole. Besides, it was still a pretty decent deal on the revolver.
Posted by: Ravenwood at April 23, 2003 5:22 PMBig deal, quit your whining. You still get to have your gun, so what if you have to wait a month. Your right to bear arms and form a militia is still there, it has not been taken away. You act as if the Third Reich is camped out on our borders ready to invade.
Posted by: Dave at October 12, 2003 6:35 PM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
