Gun rights advocates defend open-carry law

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Virginians who exercise their right to carry guns in public have been criticized -- even ridiculed -- in recent days by critics on the both sides of the Potomac. But many gun rights advocates, state lawmakers and residents point out that it's much safer to shop, drive or walk along a street in Virginia than in the District, where handguns are banned and police just declared a "crime emergency."

"Criminals don't want to come up against somebody who is willing to protect themselves," said Philip Van Cleave, president of the gun rights group Virginia Citizens Defense League.

Mr. Van Cleave said Virginia also is made safer by people who carry concealed weapons.

"The idea there is the criminals don't know who's carrying a gun," he said. "They don't wish to mess with people much because they don't know who will be able to defend themselves."

Mike Stollenwerk, a Fairfax County resident and a permit holder, said being able to carry a weapon openly gives people a sense of security.

"It's an insurance policy," he said. "I'm not a statistician, but it makes people feel more safe when they have the right to carry."

Virginia Delegate Mark L. Cole agreed that streets are safer when law-abiding citizens can arm themselves.

"Citizens have an inherent right to be able to defend themselves," the Fredericksburg Republican said. "You can't always have a policeman on every street corner to take care of you. Whenever you have a bunch of gun-control laws that prohibit people from carrying, the ones with the guns are the criminals. You wouldn't be able to defend yourself."

It's always been legal for permit-holders to carry handguns openly in Virginia, but recent sightings of gun owners displaying holstered handguns has some people spooked. More than 20 states have open-carry laws; it is illegal to carry handguns openly in Maryland and the District.

Virginia state Sen. Janet D. Howell says she was surprised when a D.C. resident sent her an e-mail saying he won't be crossing the Potomac into Virginia anymore because of the open-carry law.