Virginia's "Bloomberg Gun Giveaway" Draws Hundreds

I'm the guy on the right in the picture in the article, and I am neither a poor, ignorant redneck nor a gun totin' yahoo. I work in the legal field and make a VERY comfortable living. I just happen to believe very firmly in the right to keep guns for any reason I want and for government (especially that of New York) to keep their nose out of my business.

As somebody who's spent a *lot* of time in Virginia over the past two years, I can say that I'm a bit surprised at a few bits of this story.

Namely, the two people quoted/pictured in the article summary are from Manassas and Woodbridge. These two towns couldn't be further from the 'rednecks in pickups' image that Gothamist is trying to portray. They're *just* outside of DC, and are demographically similar to communities one would find in Westchester or Bergen county.

Politically, Northern Virginia (plus Charlottesville) tend to be somewhat left-leaning, while the rest of the state is more or less comprised of red-blooded conservatives. The thing is, though, that despite occupying very little land, the vast majority of the state's population live there.

Bloomberg means well, but his approach is flawed and doesn't respect the Constitution, which means his efforts will fail. Instead, Bloomberg should instead focus his resources on the true causes of gun crime: poverty, desperation and nihilism. Or in the case of Virginia Tech, mental health awareness. Ironically, Bloomberg cut these programs here in NYC. To cure the symptom you have to cure the disease.

will: the gun-nut lobby has such a stranglehold on politicians even the dems don't take them on anymore. That's why it takes a strong mayor like Bloomy to take on these idiots.

Then, after a massacre in their own state, they hold a "gun giveaway". I can't write all the words that describe that pathetic reaction.

Tom:

I think we can all safely say that the logo on his gun has nothing to do with Prussia or the current German military.

I'm pretty sure if you were to poll anyone in the US or Germany (and those parts of Poland and the Soviet Union that ended up with Prussian soil,) what that symbol represents, you would hear them mention the Nazi Movement or the White Pride\Skinhead Movement.

I also think it more possible that this guy is more familiar with Nazi symbolism than in a state that was dissolved by the Nazis 70 years ago....

That being said, I appreciate your argument and I don't doubt your facts. We'll have to agree to disagree.

Guys... even GERMANY still uses the cross in their armed forces logos. It was the symbol for the West German defense forces. You can't even SAY the word Nazi in Germany without getting arrested.

The Iron Cross is a symbol of German Heritage unless it has a Swastika inside it, which was the symbol of the Army during the Nazi period. The skull inside the Iron Cross goes back to Prussia as a symbol of the German military.

I'm not arguing the swastika. I'm arguing something that's been used as a symbol of Germany for a lot of recorded history, before AND after the Nazis got there.

Everyone should have the right to own a gun. I think what's getting lost is the fact that guns are being sold irresponsibly. We need to take a test to drive a car - why not a test at a firing range and some type of safety test?

And Tom: That is indeed a Nazi symbol. That specific version of the skull and crossbones over the Iron Cross was prevalent in SS units.

Nice try Tom. Just like the swastika originated as a holy symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism. We all get it. But you aren't going to see Richard Gere with one tattooed on his chest. That's because there is an implied CONTEMPORARY meaning. Meaning from 87 years ago is more relevant than meaning from 500 years ago. And the symbol from 500 years ago didn't have the skull in the middle.

And YES, while we're at it, when was the last time you saw someone sport the Hitler mustache and combover combination? Excluding Prince Harry of course.

Look I don't want criminals carrying guns anymore then any of you . The fact is it's impossible to stop that from occurring ! We have a fundamental right to arm ourselves and I support that right [100]% ! Instead of attacking the southern states for their stance here Bloomberg should be attacking those trafficking the guns into the city . To me this whole thing is a farce, He's not going to stop the gun loving folks from selling there product too whom ever they want so why is he making this issue such....well an issue ? If the city can effectively shutdown the illegal fireworks business travelling too the city then they can shutdown the illegal gun traffic flowing into the city ! The reason Bloomberg's not interested in this is because it's not a "Hot button" issue !

If every law abiding citizen was required to carry a weapon it would really dredge the shallow end of the gene pool. Do you think the guy throwing urine at people at the subway station would last too long? or the roving bands of youths assaulting people for no reason? Are we going to miss them?

If nothing else, being armed insures polite interactions:

'mr., it would be a good idea if you did not menace me.'

'why the F not!?'

'because I'll put a hole in your chest the size of an ashtray'

Is that pistol in the foreground cocked? I realize that the holster is preventing it from firing, but does that seem like an extra level of danger that's completely unnecessary to anyone else?

Is it bad that I think the little nazi cross/skull motif

Also anyone who owns an automatic weapon with an ersatz nazi medallion on the handle has "weenie problems" if you get my drift.

The Iron Cross predates the Nazis by, i dunno, 500 years. It predates the Nazis in Germany alone by like 100 years.

I suppose you think ugly little moustaches are symbols of Nazi-ism, too?

dumba55: although i'm not really threatened by the enforcement of gun laws (that's not to say the ny/nyc laws even make sense etc. etc., although the only thing that really chaps my ass is the limitation on magazines.) the mayor's sting was probably illegal in itself, AND it was certainly abusive government if only bc it was using city resources to enforce a federal law IN ANOTHER STATE.

brian: actually, the individual rights interpretation of the second ammendment is the standard legal interpretation. so i don't really know who's picking & choosing their own interpretation here. furthermore, the assumption that all gun owners/etc/ are anti-gay and anti-speech is as ignorant as it is offensive.

I wanna see a headshot of the "son of one of the first inter-racial couples in Virginia" 'cause his torso sure looks good for a 400-year old. Also anyone who owns an automatic weapon with an ersatz nazi medallion on the handle has "weenie problems" if you get my drift.

Virginia is for idiots.

Owning a gun isn't redneck, it's the right of every responsible American. And if it weren't for independent minded people with guns, there would be no America.

And guns are not just for Goyim. Perhaps you've heard of a country called Israel, where millions of Jews are required by their government to serve in the military and shoot guns.

Goyim.

Hi Brian, "No rights for gays"? are you SERIOUS? Did you know that the FOUNDER of VCDL, the civil rights organization that held this giveaway, is OPENLY GAY and a member of the Pink Pistols? What does THAT do to your argument?

Hey Brian. I read the papers and watch the news and I wasn't aware that the Federal government had banned criticism of the President or the war. I see and hear plenty of speech criticizing the war. I fail to see how anyone's first ammendment rights to speech have been impaired in the Bush Presidency. If a bunch of neo-cons completely ignore you that is another problem altogether.

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Dude, are you Tom Paine?

Not all of us. I'm for the whole bill of rights. Freedom of speech, guns, 4th amendment... i'm against no-knock warrants and swat, and i'm against the patriot act. I'm a libertarian.

I don't get the gun crazy people..they are so bent up on the second amendment and they TOTALLY DISREGARD the rest of the constitution..like "All men are created equal" (no rights for gays) and "freedom of speech" (not allowed to criticize the war/president)....again they pick and choose their own interpretation of the constitution and the bible...go figure

Is it bad that I think the little nazi cross/skull motif on the gun handle of the "son of one of the first inter-racial couples in VA" is both a little frightening as well as cool?

TonyX: I think I speak for the sane 89.1% of NYers when I say this: you are a moron and a sheep.

I am a gun owner and I don't feel threatened by the enforcement of gun laws and making it more difficult to get them.

You know, screw Bloomberg.

Sue his ass. Why not?

You namby pambys need to lighten up.

Shooting guns is fun. End of story. If you want to outlaw guns, thats fine but take them from the cops too.

Ignorant rednecks.

Ah, Virginia, land of gun racks, pick-ups, and Calvin pissing stickers, so glad I left and haven't looked back. Revel in your backwardness.