The Washington Post is still having a hissy fit over people celebrating their Constitutionally protected rights. In the past month, there have been a whopping three, lets count them again, three instances where Northern Virginians have been caught celebrating their right to the open carry of firearms. This has been a protected right in Virginia for almost 400 years (with the exception of very few localities) but the Post is trying to convince people that Virginians are doing something new (and dangerous).

EVER SINCE July 1 -- when yet another gun-lovers' law loosened up Virginia's already lax governance of weapons -- it's been one big macho-fest for heat-packers who get their courage from strapping on pistols. Not every diner may relish the sight of six armed men at the next table, but unless the General Assembly comes to its senses next year, families out for a gathering will have to get used to pistols and ammo belts with their burgers and fries.

Macho-fest? Ammo belts? Notice how they conclude that the General Assembly must be nuts to not use the threat of lethal force to squelch the right of the people.

As reported by The Post's Tom Jackman, residents have been spotted around Fairfax County several times in the past six weeks exercising their new right to wear arms. Police commanders have had to issue reminders to officers that "open carry" is legal.

This is not a new right. This has been the right of every Virginian for 400 years, except for those that lived in a few cities in Northern Virginia where citizens were being denied their rights. (For the record, several times=three times [gasp].)

Maryland and the District don't allow all these "freedoms." So area travelers should be on notice: Virginia Is for Gun-Lovers.

Nice scare quotes. The Post sounds proud that freedom is being denied in the District and Maryland. Of course freedom is protected, not allowed. An allowance is a priviledge that the state grants you. The right to self protection is granted by God, not the government.

And travelers *should* be on notice. Far be it for the Washington Post to actually tell you the truth, but Virginia, despite because of their free-wheeling gun-toting attitude, enjoys a lower crime rate than both D.C. and Maryland. Fairfax County Virginia has almost 1 million people. Raw federal crime data shows 11,938 crimes reported with 2 murders, 38 rapes, and 132 robberies. Just across the river in Montgomery County Maryland, however, there were 27,840 crimes reported; more than double. They included 12 murders, 177 rapes, and 814 robberies. If it weren't for simple thievery which is over two thirds the total in Maryland and 85% of the crime in Fairfax, the two counties wouldn't even compare. When it comes to violent crime, they don't. Montgomery County has 600% of the murders, more than 400% of the rapes, and more than 600% of the robberies. These are raw numbers, of course, so to put them into perspective Montgomery County not only has more crime but they have less people. Although almost equal, their population is just over 900,000, compared to nearly 1 million in Fairfax. Washington D.C., arguably the crime capital of the U.S., doesn't even compare.

So if all you D.C. tourists want to stay in Maryland or the District, feel free. But you do so at your own risk.