HISTORY

Roanoke has an ordinance on their books that is so poorly written as to be almost impossible to understand, but could easily be misconstrued to ban firearms in the County’s parks:

“15-8 (6) Hunting and firearms. … No person shall within a park use, carry or possess firearms, ammunition or combinations thereof, as expressly prohibited by statute, or air rifles, spring guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, bow and arrows, slings or any other forms of weapons potentially dangerous to wildlife and to human safety or any instrument that can be loaded with and fire blank cartridges, or any kind of trapping device …”

EM Ed Levine communicated on behalf of VCDL with the County to fix the wording, but the County Attorney dug in his heals claiming that the wording and intent was quite clear.  Yep – clear as mud.  The bottom line is that the County CANNOT prohibit otherwise lawful open or concealed carry in their parks.

BIRTH OF A PICNIC

What better way to get a clarification on that ordinance than for VCDL to hold a very large picnic in a Roanoke County park and let the police (and press) know we are doing so?  The VCDL Board voted to hold and fund the picnic and you are invited!  Thanks to Board member Al Steed Jr. for making the park arrangements.

PICNIC DETAILS

Where:

Green Hill Park, Roanoke County
2501 Parkside Drive
Salem, VA 24153
Shelter #2

Directions/Map:  http://tinyurl.com/6rgs56m

When: 4 PM to 9 PM, Saturday, July 14, 2012

Please RSVP with number attending to Al Steed Jr. at:

al@vcdl.org

Food:

VCDL will providing the food.  However, if you wish to bring a covered dish to share, we would be happy to have it!  Let Al know if you are bringing something so he can keep track of what foods will be available.