Virginia – -(AmmoLand.com)- Over the years, Virginia Citizens Defense League has had an excellent relationship with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). I have said many times that I consider them one of the best law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth.
One reason I say that is because whenever there has been an issue, we were able to reach out to them, and if the problem was theirs, they owned it and took quick action to correct the situation. The situation was handled professionally and we are not given the cold shoulder or treated disrespectfully.
An incident happened recently where a CHP holder was in a car accident. He had to go to the hospital in an ambulance. He turned his firearm over to a FCPD officer for safe keeping.
Luckily the CHP holder was not seriously injured and contacted FCPD to get his gun back. That’s when things ran off the tracks.
The CHP holder was told it would take two weeks to run a background check on him before the gun could be given back!
I was contacted about this matter by a friend of the permit holder, who is a Virginia Citizens Defense League member.
I contacted Sgt. Urps, who said that two-weeks was a standard delay in returning a firearm, even for one from an off-duty officer from another agency!
I pointed out to the sergeant that the same background check at a gun dealer takes from 2 to 5 minutes. Also, an officer can run that same background check on the side of the road at 3 am in a few minutes.
Next thing I knew, I got this email from Lt. Palenscar and the gun was immediately released.
This is exactly what I was saying earlier about FCPD being responsive and professional. Virginia Citizens Defense League thanks FCPD for making things right, including doing a review of their procedures when taking temporary possession of a person’s firearm:
Good Afternoon,
I was made aware of a situation where a firearm was collected for safekeeping after the owner of the weapon was taken to the hospital. I understand his frustration when he was told it may take two weeks to retrieve the weapon. As the firearm was collected for safekeeping, I have spoken to the owner of the firearm and assured him he is able to collect the weapon immediately. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. As a result, we are reviewing our procedures for the release of all weapons. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Justin
Lieutenant Justin P. Palenscar
Commander, Judicial Services Division
About Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL):
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right.
For more information, visit: www.vcdl.org.