|
[Date]
[Name of Offending Establishment]
[Address of Offending Establishment]
Attn: [Manager's Name]
Dear [Manager's Name]:
An acquaintance was beaten and robbed at knifepoint in a shopping
center parking lot last year. Because of this, and numerous similar
crimes in the news, I must question the 'no weapons' policy (even
by those holding court issued permits) at [Mall or Store
Name].
However well intended this policy may be, the net result is that
law-abiding citizens are at the mercy of the criminal element while
patronizing your establishment.
Virginia permit holders have passed thorough local, state and
FBI criminal background checks. They are trained in safety and
the law and the responsibilities they bear prior to being issued
a permit by the courts. Concealed firearms permit holders are therefore
among the nation's most responsible and law-abiding citizens. Since
the beginning of Virginia's shall issue CHP program, not one permit
holder out of over 110,000 has been found guilty of a violent crime
with a firearm.
Imagine these two scenarios.
Criminals
Welcome
The management of this facility has made
every effort to disarm your potential victims.
Law abiding persons in our
stores and parking lots are defenseless.
|
or
Warning
To Criminals
Some Patrons in our Mall Stores and
Parking Lots May Be Legally Armed.
To help ensure the safety of our customers,
the management of this establishment
encourages the patronage of
Trained, Police Approved, FBI Cleared
Holders of Concealed Handgun Permits. |
The former scenario is the message sent by your "no legal concealed
firearms" policy, and in essence, the message you are sending
to criminals who would prey on your patrons.
Do you genuinely believe that violent criminals,
intent on plying their trade in your establishment are going to
obey your signs?
I am not suggesting that you display signs welcoming
permit holders onto your property, merely that you remove the
signs denying us access. Otherwise what
you are telling the public is that the only people who are
armed in your stores are the criminals. That's not very reassuring.
This holiday season my family and I made a concerted effort to
avoid those stores and malls that would disarm honest citizens
and leave them at the mercy of those who don't obey signs, rules
or laws.
I urge you to examine your policy of leaving your law-abiding
patrons defenseless when on your property, while at the same time
encouraging and empowering armed criminals.
Respectfully
[Signature]
[Name]
|
