Davis Responds to Fusaro’s Misleading Article

Given the mass of information included in Dennis Fusaro’s piece yesterday on Bearing Drift, I wanted to take the opportunity to respond directly.  Needless to say, I take issue with much of what Dennis has said about me, my record, and Pete Snyder’s record.

First, it’s important to point out exactly who Dennis Fusaro is. He says he “proudly worked against me” to help elect Democrat Chap Peterson, which means he proudly worked to give control of the State Senate to the Democrats, who took the majority in that 2007 election.  Chap received the lowest grade of the entire VA Senate (possibly the entire GA) from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce this session. I am glad Dennis sleeps well at night knowing that by working to take out my very pro-business voice (I maintained a 100% pro-business record while in the State Senate) and replacing it with someone who consistently votes against the interests of Virginians, he has cost Virginians jobs, money, and economic stability. This kind of self-inflicted wound is what is making it harder for Republicans to win elections and then govern effectively when we win.

I cast thousands of votes as a State Delegate and as a State Senator and I am always happy to explain those votes. When I have a policy disagreement with someone, I’m willing to admit it.  What I do find frustrating is when I am attacked for a handful of votes on an issue but the mass of my record on that same issue is ignored.  And I also find it odd when I am attacked for my record by someone who then ignores other candidates’ records on the same issue in the race.  Fusaro completely dismisses the only time Pete Snyder, the candidate from the 9th district debate he is defending, has ever been asked to vote on a 2nd Amendment issue.

In regards to my defense of the 2nd Amendment, I would like to point out just a few of the pro-2nd Amendment votes that I cast while in the General Assembly.  While serving on the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee in the House of Delegates, I made the motion to kill and was the deciding vote to kill a bill carried by Delegate Baskerville that would have forbidden the carrying of a loaded firearm in the City of Richmond or any adjacent jurisdiction (e.g. Henrico, Chesterfield, etc.).  This bill would have forbidden, among other things, carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.  I also voted against a bill that would have created criminal liability for firearms manufacturers should a firearm they had manufactured been used in the commission of a crime. I also voted against increasing the fee for concealed carry permits.  These are but a handful of my pro-2nd amendment votes.  These votes get ignored because of my advocacy of strong background checks, but they are a part of my record nonetheless.

The Democrats noticed my 2nd amendment advocacy, too.  As a result of my pro-2nd Amendment votes, the Democrats sent mail into my House District during my campaigns for reelection with a picture of me in the “crosshairs,” claiming that I was too pro-gun for my district and should not be reelected.

The reason I believe I am ready to lead as your Lt. Governor is that I have taken the tough votes and stood on principle, even when that principle angered many of the 57% of my district who supported President Obama. While I have strongly backed the 2nd Amendment, I do believe that if we are already running instant background checks on sales by federally licensed dealers at gun shows – which the NRA has traditionally supported – we should go ahead and run the same instant check on anyone making an individual, private sale at those gun shows.

The Virginia State Police recently released background check statistics. Since it began in 1989, Virginia’s background check system has prevented 54,260, including more than 16,000 felons from buying guns, along with drug abusers, the mentally ill and domestic assault offenders. These sales were conducted at gun stores, gun shows and other retail sales. During the same period, state police made 12,956 related arrests as they are enforcing the law.  Mental health denials tripled between 2007 and 2012, from 109 to 340.

Throughout my career, I have always been willing to address tough issues head on. I took those votes just like I took so many other votes that upset gun control activists. I did not dodge the issue, and I will always vote in favor of the 2nd Amendment if you choose me as your next Lt. Governor.  My support for background checks is part of my defense of the 2nd amendment.  If we want to ensure those rights remain for all Americans, we must do everything possible to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill and ensure that law abiding citizens retain their natural right to self defense.

As for Fusaro’s defense of Pete Snyder, the minutes of the William and Mary Board of Trustees meeting on December 9, 2011 are clear.  They prove conclusively that Mr. Snyder voted to prevent any law-abiding citizen from carrying a weapon for self-defense on campus.  This wasn’t a surprise vote, as the Resolution that they voted on was discussed at the previous meeting in September and the Board members were told that they would be voting on the Resolution at the December Board meeting.  The minutes reflect that he did indeed participate in that vote.  If you look at the minutes of the February 8, 2012 meeting, you will see that Mr. Snyder voted “no” on a voice vote.  It’s right there in black and white in the minutes. To my knowledge, this is the only time Mr. Snyder has been asked to vote on a 2nd Amendment issue, and he did not vote with law-abiding citizens.

Fusaro’s contention that the minutes are not correct and that Mr. Snyder was not in the room for the only vote he ever faced involving the 2nd Amendment is very convenient. Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the claim is true – that the minutes were wrong and actually Mr. Snyder “took a walk” as the saying goes in the legislature and simply avoided a vote – is that any better? Is Fusaro suggesting that his candidate skipped a vote the only time he had to take a stand in support of the 2nd Amendment but we should believe his promises to stand up for us every other time if we just elect him?    If Mr. Snyder was on the side of law-abiding citizens and was simply physically unable to vote shouldn’t the issue have been important enough to correct the minutes?  And knowing that this important vote was coming up, why didn’t Mr. Snyder stay in his seat, object to the Resolution and vote no? We criticized President Obama for voting present, yet people defend Pete Snyder for doing the same thing.  Really?

I am certainly sorry that Mr. Fusaro’s sister was the victim of a terrible crime and we all recognize that violence such as this leaves behind not only physical wounds, but emotional wounds as well that only time can heal.  And, contrary to his suggestion, I have never supported any policy that would have prevented her from effectively defending herself.  That is just flat wrong. I am a gun owner and I am a supporter of the castle doctrine. My principles were forged by both a belief in the Constitution and a desire, as a woman and as a mother, to protect both myself and my four daughters, should the need ever arise.

Debates over policy are healthy; personal attacks not based in fact are not.  While this Lt. Governors race has been unique in many ways, the one thing it has in common with every other campaign is that it will end. Once we have come together in Richmond and the Republican candidate has been nominated, all Republicans will need to be united in supporting all our candidates.  When Republicans are not united, the Democrats win and we lose on every issue.  I am committed to supporting Ken Cuccinelli for Governor and whoever is nominated for Lt. Governor and Attorney General and I hope that Mr. Fusaro will join me in that commitment, whether or not he agrees with the outcome of the convention. There is too much at stake in this election to let personal grudges get in the way of what is best for the Commonwealth and her citizens.

In closing, I would like to thank Bearing Drift and their readers for hosting such a wonderful conservative platform. I enjoy reading the articles regarding the issues of the day. Whether you agree with me on the gun show issue or not, I have proven that I am a candidate that stands and has stood by what she believes. My slogan says “Ready to Lead,” because that is what I am, and my record proves it. I am ready to fight for you, to serve as your 21st vote on the 2nd Amendment and many other issues, and to be a conservative leader in Richmond.

 


JeanneMarie Devolites Davis is a Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.  She represented Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1998 to 2004, and in the Senate of Virginia from 2004 to 2008.  Her opinions are her own and do not reflect an endorsement or editorial comment by Bearing Drift, its contributors or Virginia Line Media LLC.  

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