On September 15, The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance prohibiting all firearms at any: Facility or property owned or leased by Fairfax County for government purposes; Public parks; Recreation and community center operated by the county, and Public street. Since giving notice, the prohibitions must be posted at all entrances and exits. Exemptions include firearms concealed in…
By Bill Brazier: Like most Americans, I am disturbed by the abuse of Black Americans by police, and want to do something about it. One opportunity came earlier this month in the form of a vigil at the Fairfax County Police Department headquarters, which was not just a protest but also delivered a precise agenda for action. The event was…
It’s time for Democratic voters in Fairfax County to decide who will carry the party’s standard at the polls in November for US representative in the 11th Congressional district. To help voters decide, The Blue View asked both candidates – incumbent Gerry Connolly and challenger Zainab Mohsini – to answer the same four questions on critical topics facing our nation…
By Bill Brazier: Virginia Democrats should be proud of the legislation passed to lessen gun violence and control deadly weapons, thanks to new Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate. But the proposed bans on assault weapons and large magazines remain on the agenda for the next session, starting in Jan. 2021, and all reasonable people should fight for…
By Grace Aspinall: Several important gun control measures, including universal background checks and a “red flag” law, were passed by the Virginia legislature in February 2020 as the Democratic majority installed in November signaled a shift away from traditionally lax gun policies in the Commonwealth. However, a proposed assault rifle ban failed to pass. Both pro-gun supporters and gun control…
By Susan Laume: Those following Virginia’s gun violence prevention measures were surprised when State Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36th) joined three other Democrats, Sens. “Chap” Petersen (D-34th), John Edwards (D-21st) and Creigh Deeds (D-25th), in a committee vote against advancing an assault weapons ban on February 17. Gun control and gun advocates were among those in the audience to ask about…
Gun rights advocates interrupted speakers frequently with boos, shouts and chants as the Fairfax County state legislative delegation held its traditional public forum on Jan. 4, four days in advance of the opening of the General Assembly this Wednesday. Gun supporters, many with orange “Guns Save Lives” stickers, were prominent in the audience at the Fairfax County Government Center auditorium…
By Susan Laume: Springfield District citizens reacted strongly to gun violence and transportation issues during Monday night’s debate between their Fairfax County Board of Supervisor candidates Linda Sperling, Democrat, and incumbent, Pat Herrity, Republican. The audience, most wearing candidate T-shirts or stickers, selected seats in a partisan divide in the Rolling Valley Elementary School cafeteria, Monday evening, Oct 14. They…
By Susan Laume: Gun violence was a defining issue at the Springfield District candidate forum on Thursday, Oct. 3, attended by candidates for Fairfax County School Board, county Board of Supervisors, and state delegate. Laura Jane H. Cohen, Democratic-endorsed candidate for school board, criticized incumbent Elizabeth L. Schultz, Republican-endorsed, for favoring armed teachers in schools. Both Cohen and R.K.…
By Brad Swanson: Ricardo Alfaro is a man on a mission. As the newly elected president of the Latino Democratic Caucus in Virginia, he has crafted an ambitious workplan to expand the group’s reach and counter the rising tide of fear engulfing the Latino community in the Trump era. “No one should feel unsafe going to school or grocery shopping…
It’s never too early to begin grassroots organizing. That is the concept behind an innovative program at Sully District Democratic Committee that enables students to organize and participate in political events in their own community. Gun violence, unsurprisingly, is one of the topics that students in the program – called GROWTH Student Interns – feel most strongly about. “I am…
By Brad Swanson: Like many readers of The New York Times, both here in northern Virginia and across the nation, Dan Helmer was taken aback by the indifference to gun violence shown by an incumbent Virginia state delegate, especially in the wake of last week’s dual mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. The only difference is that Helmer, a…
An estimated 300 protesters showed up Tuesday evening, Aug. 5, to protest gun violence — and especially last weekend’s devastating attacks in El Paso and Dayton — at the headquarters of the NRA in Fairfax. There was a candle lighting ceremony and the names and ages of the victims were read by different speakers for El Paso and Dayton, followed…
By Susan Laume: A day that began with hope quickly ended in anger and frustration as Republican state legislators in Richmond abruptly shut down a special session on gun violence less than 90 minutes after it began on Tuesday, July 9. Democratic legislators were shocked when Republicans used their small majorities in both the state House and Senate to adjourn…