Here’s the link to the 911 call that caused all the hubub.
The incident itself is discussed here.
Short version: some hoplophobe sees six guys openly carrying their firearms at a local pizza joint (that I actually frequent pretty often, not bad pizza and pasta when you’re on the go) and calls 911. Amazingly enough, even though the caller recognizes himself that openly carrying in VA is perfectly legal, he whines about never having seen it in his “57 years”. He’s obviously looking to cause trouble, even though the carrying gentlemen in question weren’t breaking any laws.
The really sad part is the Manassas PD actually responded to the call, and apparently instructed the six gentlement to leave the restaurant. Unreal. That’s not even the worst of it; apparently they were as unprofessional as you can be about the whole affair. From the VCDL:
In the last VCDL Update, there was an item on the Manassas City Police Department (MCPD) harassing seven law-abiding gun owners in Tony’s Pizza restaurant and intimidated the restaurant owner into expelling those gun owners (most of which were VCDL members).
VCDL issued a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get a copy of all police information about that incident.
Based on the information divulged by the FOIA (emails and voice recordings) and from the seven gun owners we know:
* The police were told that nothing illegal was happening, nor was there a disturbance [on 911 tape]
* For no reason the police intimidated the owner into asking the seven gun owners to leave [officer’s emails]
* Refused to look at documents that would show that the gun owners were doing nothing wrong. One officer said that he would look for an excuse to arrest the members if they didn’t just leave [gun owners statements]
* Afterwards, in email to each other and other jurisdictions, the MCPD officers show severe disdain for the seven gun owners, WHO WERE NOT BREAKING ANY LAWS NOR CAUSING ANY KIND OF DISTURBANCE
* In fact, the officers went out of their way to refer to VCDL members as “assclowns” and also used some more crude, profane, and vulgar termsThe problem here was that:
1. the officers showed such contempt for law-abiding citizens in their own words and emails and
2. the officers’ unwarranted actions at Tony’s showed that they wished to act on that contempt by using their extraordinary powers as police officers to harass and intimidate
VCDL is not going to take this lying down:
To address this serious issue, VCDL is going to address the Manassas City Council on Monday, February 26th, at 5:30 PM. We might not get heard until 7:30 PM, but I want to be there early, just in case they decided to bump us up.
City Hall is located at 9027 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110.
Even though I’m a Marylander, I spend a lot of time down there and do carry from time to time. I’m going to try to make it down there on the 26th.
Interesting one of the emails says “Of course one of the patrons called the PD”…although they was a spelling error in there I didn’t copy. The “of course” is what makes one shake their head.
Comment by Matt — February 18, 2007 @ 7:04 pm
After listening to the 911 call, you can hear the NY accent. No wonder.
Comment by Matt — February 18, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
I may just join you.
Funny how Virginia citizens, which already have pretty good gun laws, zealously defend every incursion on those rights. Most MD gun owners would rather sit around and bitch and moan and then say how great it’s going to be when they move to Virginia.
Comment by Norton — February 18, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Yeah, let’s caravan down there. It’d be great if we could get gunnies from other states to show support for the Manassas Six.
I hear you on the apathy of MD gun owners. I was handing out flyers at the SGS Gun Show down in Upper Marlboro today…people were largely receptive compared to most gun shows…where they can’t be bothered to take a flyer or a bumpersticker.
Maryland gun owners are our own worst enemies. Our laziness an defeatist attitude empowers our enemies.
Comment by Administrator — February 18, 2007 @ 11:59 pm
VCDL does an amazing job of holding their elected officials’ asses to the fire when they do something like this…..just as they did in Staunton a few weeks ago.
Maryland gun owners are still waiting for Wayne LaPierre and Chris Cox to come swooping in on a white horse to save them and that ain’t gonna happen.
Comment by Norton — February 19, 2007 @ 7:29 am
[…] Pro-Gun Progressive has more on the Manassas PD and the Tony’s Pizza Incident. […]
Pingback by Gun News » February 19 - Today in the News — February 19, 2007 @ 10:56 am
just as they did in Staunton a few weeks ago.
What’d they do in Staunton? That’s pretty rural (in relative terms) out there, I’m surprised that they had a problem.
Comment by Matt — February 19, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Matt, having grown up in Northern Jersey I immediatly recognized the accent and had the same thought
PGP - if you end up heading over, shoot me an email. Don’t know for sure what the baby duties will be then, but I will try to make it there (and probably take my 4 year old with me).
Comment by countertop — February 19, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Will do–let’s make a show of force there. Gun owners in MD sticking up for gun owners in VA. That’s what I’m talking about…
We must hang together, or most assuredly we will hang separately.
Comment by Administrator — February 19, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
Matt,
A while back a bunch of guys went into Scotto’s and the Staunton Police really overreacted. They weren’t dicks like the Manassas bunch, but they went after the guys.
Comment by Norton — February 19, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
For what its worth, I am often found at McLean Pizza enjoying what I think is the only half way decent NY Style pizza in the DC area with my carry gun strapped to my waist. Usually a table full of Fairfax cops in there too.
Comment by countertop — February 19, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
Matt,
A while back a bunch of guys went into Scotto’s and the Staunton Police really overreacted. They weren’t dicks like the Manassas bunch, but they went after the guys.
That’s too bad. I will admit to being curious as to what constitutes “going after” without being a “dick”, but I’ll learn to live with ambiguity ;> I never had much dealing with the police in Stanton, but I had a couple construction projects over there and did spend a lot of time in the area. Probably overbuilt now, as this was about 9 years ago.
Will do–let’s make a show of force there. Gun owners in MD sticking up for gun owners in VA. That’s what I’m talking about…
I would think an MSI hat with a carry holster would be appropriate attire? Obviously with shoes and shirts so you could get service.
Comment by Matt — February 20, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
That 911 caller was a loser. I concur that he was probably not a Marine, although I guess the Corps might draw a freak once in a while. I try hard to support Police Officers but the ones in question need to be sued out of their britches. That’s all that will convince them that they don’t create laws to suit their whims. That’s a sad commentary.
Comment by Alan Yates — February 24, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
[…] Colt CCO reports that the Knoxville PD isn’t any better at apologizing or admitting fault for grossly mistreating law abiding, legitimately carrying citizens than the Manassas PD. What’s wrong with saying, yeah, that’s not the way that sort of situation should be handled? I mean…really? […]
Pingback by Pro-Gun Progressive » What’s Wrong With Saying “Sorry”? — September 21, 2007 @ 8:26 am