According to the US Bureau of Justice, the homicide rate in the United States peaked in 1980 at 10.2 deaths per 100,000 people.  Since then the homicide rate is down to 4.8 victims per 100,000 (http://www.bjs.gov/content/guns.cfm).  What changed in the USA in the last 35 years?  Our population increased, the number of immigrants increased, the drug war ramped up, the gap between the poor and the rich increased, all of these are factors that should result in a higher crime rate. 

In 1988 only ten states had a shall issue concealed carry permit.  Today 43 states do.  Firearms related homicides and violent crime is 11% higher in states that have restrictive permitting processes.  Concealed carriers are the most law abiding people in our nation and provide a great service to communities that cannot afford to have police officers everywhere at all times (http://www.gunfacts.info/gun-control-myths/concealed-carry)

Restricting the movement of concealed carry permit holders who have gone through an extensive background check, have received training and in the cases of military veterans extensive training, and who have proven statistically to be a deterrent to crime will not make the Commonwealth a safer place, but a more dangerous one.  If we are being honest we all must admit that evil people do evil things and will target areas that have a lot of people; workplaces, schools, and other gathering places.  Asking Virginians to expose themselves to potential violence in locations paid for with their tax money is not a solution to any problem that currently exists.  The actions of the Governor are rooted in political pandering and headlines and have no root in logic, reason or fact.  These actions must be overturned and the safety of Virginians should not be compromised to please out of state interests who have admitted that their motivations are rooted in racism (http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/02/07/bloomberg-suggests-banning-young-minority-males-from-gun-ownership).

I ask that the comment period be extended to allow Virginians to speak about this.  Scheduling it over the holiday period seems to be a calculated move to suppress the voice of Virginians.