February 10, 2016
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News

Video of Delegate Plum's floor speech on the gun agreement
is available below.


Commentary  
 
A Debatable Deal
 
 
  
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 
 
Opponents of legislation to prevent gun violence have said for years that current laws on the books should be enforced before new laws were passed, but they quickly changed their minds when Attorney General Mark Herring moved to enforce Virginia's law on recognizing concealed weapon permits from other states. At least 25 states have standards for allowing concealed weapons that are less stringent than Virginia, and his ruling would have ended reciprocity with these states.
 
Representatives of the National Rifle Association (NRA) came to the McAuliffe administration to offer concessions on other gun safety proposals if reciprocity with other states could be reestablished. The gun advocates agreed that they would drop their opposition to voluntary background checks and to taking guns from those for whom a permanent protective order had been issued if reciprocity was restored. This so-called "deal" between the McAuliffe administration and the NRA will continue to be argued as to who was the winner. The legislation to effect the compromise will be debated by the legislature in the coming weeks. I expect to vote for the voluntary background check bill; even though it is limited, it is at least a small step forward. A subcommittee of the Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee defeated my bill that would have closed the gun show loophole by requiring a background check for all gun sales at gun shows. Under the compromise bill a state police officer will be at all gun shows to do a voluntary background check on sales that do not include a licensed gun show dealer. I will also vote for the bill that will take guns from those against whom a permanent protective order has been issued. While this bill is part of the deal, it needs to be expanded to include temporary and emergency protective orders.
 
I will not vote for a bill that surrenders Virginia's right to set its own standards for issuing concealed weapon permits. While the NRA clearly favors expanded concealed weapon laws across the states, I do not think it is in the best public safety interest to recognize concealed weapon permits from states with limited standards including those that will issue such permits to convicted felons. I commend Attorney General Mark Herring for the courageous position he has taken on this issue, and I will continue to support him.
 
Working together across party lines is important to the legislative process. The deal before the General Assembly on preventing gun violence has been described as a small, modest improvement. As I made clear in a speech on the floor of the House of Delegates, I view this as just a beginning. As the advocates with whom I participate in a vigil at NRA headquarters on the 14th of every month--the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings--make clear, we will not forget, and we will continue to work for more common sense gun safety measures. 
      
Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28
  
Tune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming (Verizon Channel 1981). During the General Assembly session, Ken talks with Woody Evans of VCTA about legislative issues. View it here. 

Previous Virginia Report shows are available for viewing online at vimeo.com.    

Bulletin Board  


Fairfax Connector Riders: Stay Informed During 
Winter Weather 
As the region is experiencing wintry weather, Fairfax Connector reminds passengers to plan for their commutes and to stay informed of service changes and detours:
· Sign-up for text and/or email alerts on possible detours through Fairfax Alerts.
· Follow Fairfax Connector on Twitter and Facebook.
· Call Fairfax Connector customer service at 703-339-7200, TTY 703-339-1608. Se habla Espaņol.

In case of snow accumulation, riders are encouraged to prepare for longer waits at bus stops and to allow additional travel time as buses may be traveling slower than normal due to possibly poor road conditions. 
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Nominations Open for 
2015 Reston Citizen of the Year Award


Reston Citizens Association has opened nominations for the 2015 Reston Citizen of the Year Award. The award spotlights the work of dedicated citizen volunteers and civic activists who work tirelessly, providing them the recognition and appreciation they have earned through their hard work and dedication to the Reston community. Nominations close on Friday, February 19, 2016, and may be submitted online or by downloading the nomination form and submitting via postal mail or email as indicated on the nomination form.

Nomination Criteria are: Reston resident for at least 5 years; actions are consistent with the goals of Reston, and of RCA; actions have contributed to the quality of life in Reston; people in need of help have benefited from the nominee's actions; deeds were done without thought of personal benefit or recognition; not currently serving as an elected public official or a member of the Board of a major community organization (RA, RCA, or RCC). The Reston Citizen of the Year will be honored at a special reception in the spring of 2016.


Calendar of Events      

Sunday, February 14, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Gun Violence Awareness Vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. The vigil commemorates the anniversary of the day 26 children and educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please DO NOT park in the NRA's parking lot. There is plenty of free parking in the office building lot on Fairfax Ridge Drive across Waples Mill Road. Signs and flags will be provided.   

Tuesday, February 16, 10:00 a.m., Centennial Rally for Equal Rights, Capitol Square, Richmond. Full schedule and lunch tickets at www.vanow.org/rally. 

Tuesday, February 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Planning for the Future: Learn about Proposed Countywide Transit, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax (Rooms 9 and 10). Open-house format with a brief presentation at 7:00 p.m. For more information on the project, latest news or to submit comments online, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/2050transitstudy.

Saturday, February 20, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Making Justice Work: A Community Forum on Criminal Justice Reform in Virginia, at the ADAMS Center, 46903 Sugarland Road in Sterling. Panel and community discussion with the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety, state legislators, activists, and persons having experienced the criminal justice system. Download a flyer here. 

Tuesday, February 23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Planning for the Future: Learn about Proposed Countywide Transit, George Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church (Cafeteria), Open-house format with a brief presentation at 7:00 p.m. For more information on the project, latest news or to submit comments online, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/2050transitstudy.

Thursday, February 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Planning for the Future: Learn about Proposed Countywide Transit, Mount Eagle Elementary School, 6116 N Kings Highway, Alexandria (Cafeteria), Open-house format with a brief presentation at 7:00 p.m. For more information on the project, latest news or to submit comments online, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/2050transitstudy. 

Friday, February 26, 9:00 a.m., Racing to Justice: Achieving Social Equity In Our Community, at Annandale Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Join one of the nation's foremost leaders of the movement for universal justice, john a. powell, as he discusses these issues with our community. Explore where we are today and how we can continue to live the values of our community's ideals. Free, but tickets are required. Register at Racing to Justice. View a flyer here.

Saturday, February 27, 3:00 p.m., Racing to Justice: Achieving Social Equity In Our Community, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Join one of the nation's foremost leaders of the movement for universal justice, john a. powell, as he discusses these issues with our community. Explore where we are today and how we can continue to live the values of our community's ideals. Free tickets are required and available from the CenterStage Box Office or by calling 703-476-4500. For more information, contact Kevin Danaher at 703-390-6166 or visit restoncommunitycenter.com.
View a flyer here.

Saturday, March 5, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Grow Your Health Festival: Gardening, Local Food & Wellness, at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. Meet local farmers, learn about organic gardening, food, and healthy options, buy local food products, see the film, "Growing Cities," and more. Ticket information is at www.GrowYourHealthnova.com. Admission includes all activities, classes, and demonstrations. 

Sunday, March 13, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 3rd Annual NoVa Mini Maker Faire, at South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School, Reston. Details are at NoVa Mini Maker Faire. 

March 22-23, 2016 Resilient Virginia Conference, Richmond. Learn more at http://resilientvirginia.org/. Register here. 

Saturday, March 26, Last day to donate formal dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, scarves, shawls, and accessories to Diva Central. Drop off at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. Download a flyer here. 

Thursday, March 31, 11:00 a.m., "Destination Rides" Information Session, NV Rides-Reston will host a one-hour information session to learn about issues facing non-driving seniors in our community, at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. This is a free event; you will not be asked to make a financial contribution. For information or to RSVP, contact NV Rides at 703.537.3070 or GinaC@NVRides.org. More is at www.NVRides.org. 

April 5-7, Environment Virginia Symposium, at VMI's Center for Leadership and Ethics, one of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's Virginia Green Convention and Conference Centers. Find more information about the symposium and register at Environment Virginia Symposium.

Saturday, April 23, noon to 6:00 p.m., Diva Central Event, at Reston Community Center Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza. The one-day event is open to any current high school student who is in need of a prom dress and other accessories. Everything is absolutely FREE. Limit one dress per person. Download a flyer here. 

April 25-26, National Reduce Tobacco Use Conference, showcasing the latest in tobacco-use prevention, reduction, and cessation with youth and young adults. For more information, visit reducetobaccouse.org. 

May 21 to 22, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Relay For Life of Reston, at South Lakes High School. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love. More information is at Relay for Life. 
 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 


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In This Issue
Commentary..."A Debatable Deal"
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News


Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
 and paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum.