News

 

People use guns but, in a sense, guns use people too. When we have the technology for violence easily to hand, our choices are skewed and we are more vulnerable to being manipulated into violent action.
Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

Vigil to Remember the Victims of Gun Violence in Virginia on MLK Day Cancelled

Friends - it's with a heavy heart that we've decided to cancel our Vigil to Remember the Victims of Gun Violence in Virginia on MLK Day, Monday, January 20, 2020 out of an abundance of caution due to serious threats of violence by participants in the rally at the capitol organized for this same day.

 

We began holding peaceful vigils 28 years ago and while we have frequently experienced armed individuals trying to intimidate us, we have never been confronted with the kinds of threats being expressed by the opposition and aligned groups like we are experiencing currently.

 

From our early years when our numbers were small to a now rapidly growing number of Virginians supporting common sense gun violence prevention policies, we continue to stress the importance of awareness, education and advocacy as it relates to public safety and peace.

 

As an alternative, please use the day to reach out to your state legislators and express your support for their efforts to curb gun violence in Virginia.

 

 

You can read more about this decision HERE

VA's Governor says only the NRA is allowed to teach gun safety to schoolchildren

 

Watch Lori Haas on FOX News Channel as she takes on the NRA over the Governor's decision that Virginia's schoolchildren can only learn gun safety from the NRA. Lori-FOX
Click on one of the image above. You'll be taken to the appropriate page on the FNC website in a new window.


Click HERE to read the Washington Post's coverage of this important issue.

 

For Immediate Release:
April 19, 2010		 For Further Information: Lori Haas
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Virginia Center for Public Safety Warns Against Amending Bill to Force Public Schools to Adopt National Rifle Association Curriculum

 

In another example of the degree to which he's prepared to pander to his allies in the political fringe, Gov. Bob McDonnell has taken action to give the National Rifle Association an exclusive mandate to "educate" all primary school children in Virginia on their idea of gun safety.

In the 2010 session, HB1217 was introduced as a firearms safety measure to be added to the K-6th grade curriculum of public schools. This legislation would require the Board of Education to adopt curriculum guidelines using the National Rifle Association materials.

With little hope of shielding our children from exposure to the NRA's agenda, opponents managed to get the the bill amended in the Senate to include the National Crime Prevention Council, known for its education materials featuring “McGruff the Crime Dog” and steps to help “Take a Bite Out of Crime”,  as well in an effort to broaden options for resource materials for the Board of Education.

Using a typo as an excuse, the Governor has now recommended that all mention of the National Crime Prevention Council be removed from the bill. In effect, the Governor’s recommendation gives the NRA exclusive control over part of every Virginian child's education.

The Virginia Center for Public Safety opposes the Governor’s recommendation to limit curriculum choice at the Board of Education.

The House of Delegates and Senate will be in session on Wednesday, April 21 in Richmond and they will vote on HB1217.  

Va. Tech parent and VACPS Board Member Lori Haas said "We urge all Virginians, especially parents, to contact their lawmakers and say ‘no’ to giving the NRA or any agenda-driven group or organization exclusive control over any part of their child’s education".


#######