A new legislative session in Virginia means here come the GFWs. While the VCDL is pushing to allow concealed carry in eating establishments that serve alcohol, the gun grabbers are trying to ban open carry of guns in bars. (Since concealed carry is already banned, open carry is currently the only legal option.)

Of course, the phrase "guns in bars" is the liberal media's way of hammering their agenda of more gun control. To tell the truth, Virginia doesn't have any bars at all. You don't believe me? Take a peek at the Virginia ABC regulations (Page 8). You see, bars are establishments whose primary products are liquor, beer, and wine, which is illegal in Virginia. It is common knowledge of many Virginians that the Commonwealth requires that all establishments that serve alcohol also sell food. In fact, food and non-alcoholic products must make up at least 45% of their business. That leaves us with no clubs or bars like Heaven and Hell, and lots of restaurants like Applebees and Chilis.

Now I'll agree that carrying a gun to a bar is probably not the best idea. Especially if you are drinking. I am a firm believer that guns and alcohol don't mix. However, there are plenty of people in restaurants that don't drink. Since Virginia requires that at least 45% of sales be non-alcoholic, that is a lot of people the gun grabbers are targeting with their proposed "gun free" zone. And really, what is the alternative: leaving your gun in the car for some hoodlum to steal?

Changing gears, the gun grabbers also hope to close the non existent "gun show loophole", by requiring private citizens to get permission from the government prior to selling a firearm. Some legislators also want school property to be able to be turned into a "gun free" zone by bureaucratic fiat. Currently school officials are not permitted to ban students (many of whom are hunters) from bringing firearms to school and leaving them in their vehicles. They also have no jurisdiction over concealed handgun permit holders (which the AP erroneously calls a concealed "weapons" permit).

Also, Del. Al Eisenberg is reported to be working on a bill to ban .50 caliber "assault rifles". They don't clarify whether or not he is talking about just semi-automatic rifles, or the heavily regulated fully automatic assault rifles. Either way, it's a "feel good" law. The full auto models have been heavily regulated by the federal government (ATF) since the 1930s. Regular rifles could include muzzle loaders and large caliber civil war relics. Presumably, they are talking about the .50 caliber BMG rifles which are so popular to ban these days. The cheapest you can find ammunition for these rifles is usually about $1.50 to $2.50 per round. I don't see these rifles being used to hold up 7-11 stores too often.

For the record, the .50 caliber BMG starts at about $2400 and weights about 25 pounds. It's not something you're going to carry around too much. That doesn't stop the AP from crying, "They fire the largest bullets allowed under federal law, and some manufacturers boast that they are capable of penetrating the cockpit windshiled of a jetliner." Ooo. Big, mean, scary.

If the ban looks like it may pass, I'm pulling a few thousand dollars out of my stocks and buying one (or two). Who knows, they may appreciate at 10% or more a year like some class III firearms.