College Republican Federation of Virginia

In what can only be seen as the politicization of a tragic event for political gain, the gun-control advocates at the Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence and ProtestEasyGuns.com (they are not deserving of a hyperlink) sought to hold their own demonstration on the Drillfield at Tech and at 70 other cites across America on April 16th to further their anti-2nd Amendment agendas.  Hoping to reserve the space and have groups of 32 students lie down at noon for a few minutes in order to represent the ease with which one can supposedly purchase firearms across America, VPI said that no file had yet been requested by either group, nor would one be granted if requested. 

Throwing into chaos the two organization’s otherwise politically-minded efforts, Tech spokesman Larry Hinckler said that only student groups can apply for permits to use the field and that, regardless, the Drillfield would not be reservable by any student group via assembly permit that day because of the school’s plans for a memorial ceremony expected to run past the noon hour. 

Personally, I find such intentions by any group, whether I agree with them or not, despicable.  To think that you have any place holding that type of political gathering under the guise of such a tragedy anywhere, much less on the actual campus where the terrible events transpired, is shameful and disappointing.  Even though I disagree with the two groups in their efforts, I am all for their being able to make their argument under the protections granted them under the first amendment; however, for any outside group such as that to feel as though their presence is merited during what will no doubt be a very emotional day of remembrance is insulting to the lives lost a year ago. 

Kudos to Tech for not letting such nonsense interfere with the appropriate, and most important, mourning that will take place anywhere on April 16th. 

For more information, visit the Richmond Times-Dispatch.