The Arlington County Board indicated yesterday that it will seek special legislation in the hope of disarming George Rockwell’s Nazi “storm-troop” force here and abolish their private arsenal. It was reported to the board that the Nazi arsenal includes military rifles, carbines shotguns, automatic pistols, and other weapons.
Commonwealth attorney William Hassan told the board that the present Virginia law “allows anyone who wants to to wear a sidearm. The only place firearms are prohibited in Virginia is in churches.” County board member Ralph Kaul said “Our laws need to be strengthened before somebody is killed by this group.”
The board met to hear a report on legal actions against the rising Nazi menace which culminated in the sentencing of three Nazis last week. Mr. Kaul proposed to the board that Arlington try to persuade the state General Assembly when it meets next January to adopt legislation authorizing counties to enact their own statutes governing firearms.
Mrs Kathryn Stone, of Arlington, a member of the State House of Delegates representing her county, said; “I will certainly introduce legislation for tighter control of firearms.” Delegate Stone voiced abhorrence at Nazi activities in Arlington. She said that studies have already begun to determine what type of new statutes would be most effective.
A County Board source said Arlington could no longer tolerate a “para-military force or kind of private army like that maintained by the increasing Nazi gang here.” This source said it was well known to police that the Nazis maintain military discipline, and conduct training in use of weapons and tactics.
At another meeting this weekend, some 60 community leaders, including some from adjacent Fairfax County, formed an organization called “Citizens Concerned” to combat the Nazis. Chosen as co-chairmen were Clarence Salisbury, vice-president of the Arlington Civic Federation, and Mrs. Charles E. Planck, a leader of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters.
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