I thought the Commonwealth Attorney’ s job is to prosecute people who break the law (or laws). I didn’t realize they could decide on their own not to enforce laws they don’t like.
Several things that occurred to me as I read the story one of them is why should a person with PTSD and TBI have free access to an arsenal of death delivering weapons.
Interestingly, from the way Mr. Watkins wrote his article, one would think that every gun owner is a nutcase waiting to gun down teenagers. He is very slick in his accusations and the emotionalism of the piece is astounding. Not a heartstring is left unplucked. The entire load of gun control half-truths is dumped, including the usual lie “…gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States.” Yes, it’s a blatant lie and Watkins knows it, or is a very poor excuse for a journalist/editor.
“And they had no idea that Alford had gone after them with his AR-15…” Curious. When did his Glock 9MM become a 5.56MM Sporting Rifle? Or is Mr. Watkins just throwing this in for funnzies?
Brent Alford acted as a criminal and got sentenced for it. His criminal misuse of his pistol is what firearms instructors constantly teach their students not to do; that, and confronting someone outside your house.
Alford got off light. He knew he was in the wrong, but his arrogance as former law enforcement, led him to act stupidly and criminally. Now he is paying for it.
Watkins tries to conflate all gun owners with Alford. His G.O.D. crack is ignorance at its finest. There are over 500,000 legal defensive gun uses per year and some estimates are well over 1.5 million. Most of those do not involve shooting the gun. Many are in the prevention of mass shootings and in support of law enforcement. One other little factoid: Concealed Carry gun owners are some of the most law abiding citizens in the country. They even speed less. The Percent of Americans Carrying increased from 24.3% in December 2024 to 29.8% in May 2026.
If you want real data on guns and their use, go to the Crime Prevention Research Center. They even tell you where the data comes from and it’s not emotion driven.
Reading comprehension is clearly not your strong suit. The article clearly states that Alford went back inside his house and kitted up in a tactical vest and grabbed his AR-15 and went back outside to look for the kids, crossing through his neighbors yard to close the distance, etc.
The oath taken by every elected commonwealth's attorney in Virginia is, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me as Commonwealth's Attorney according to the best of my ability, so help me God."
I do not see any statement or indication in the oath that Mr. Mehaffey swore to uphold that he, along with those he employs, are only obligated to investigate and prosecute felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and juvenile offenses that are brought before the court, if he agrees with or supports those laws. He was elected as the top prosecutor in Spotsylvania County to enforce all state laws and local ordinances, whether or not he agrees with those laws and/or ordinances. I believe that to do otherwise is to fail to uphold the oath of office and to protect all citizens of Spotsylvania, not just those with whom he aligns politically or ideologically. Spotsylvanians should be concerned about this statement from their elected commonwealth's attorney.
I thought the Commonwealth Attorney’ s job is to prosecute people who break the law (or laws). I didn’t realize they could decide on their own not to enforce laws they don’t like.
Several things that occurred to me as I read the story one of them is why should a person with PTSD and TBI have free access to an arsenal of death delivering weapons.
Silly me.
Excellent reporting, Steve.
Interestingly, from the way Mr. Watkins wrote his article, one would think that every gun owner is a nutcase waiting to gun down teenagers. He is very slick in his accusations and the emotionalism of the piece is astounding. Not a heartstring is left unplucked. The entire load of gun control half-truths is dumped, including the usual lie “…gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States.” Yes, it’s a blatant lie and Watkins knows it, or is a very poor excuse for a journalist/editor.
“And they had no idea that Alford had gone after them with his AR-15…” Curious. When did his Glock 9MM become a 5.56MM Sporting Rifle? Or is Mr. Watkins just throwing this in for funnzies?
Brent Alford acted as a criminal and got sentenced for it. His criminal misuse of his pistol is what firearms instructors constantly teach their students not to do; that, and confronting someone outside your house.
Alford got off light. He knew he was in the wrong, but his arrogance as former law enforcement, led him to act stupidly and criminally. Now he is paying for it.
Watkins tries to conflate all gun owners with Alford. His G.O.D. crack is ignorance at its finest. There are over 500,000 legal defensive gun uses per year and some estimates are well over 1.5 million. Most of those do not involve shooting the gun. Many are in the prevention of mass shootings and in support of law enforcement. One other little factoid: Concealed Carry gun owners are some of the most law abiding citizens in the country. They even speed less. The Percent of Americans Carrying increased from 24.3% in December 2024 to 29.8% in May 2026.
If you want real data on guns and their use, go to the Crime Prevention Research Center. They even tell you where the data comes from and it’s not emotion driven.
Reading comprehension is clearly not your strong suit. The article clearly states that Alford went back inside his house and kitted up in a tactical vest and grabbed his AR-15 and went back outside to look for the kids, crossing through his neighbors yard to close the distance, etc.
That's all you have? How boring and inconsequential can you be?
I am sad and tearful reading Steve Watkins' gripping article. I should be. We are fortunate to have Mr. Watkins as new Editor-in-Chief.
The oath taken by every elected commonwealth's attorney in Virginia is, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me as Commonwealth's Attorney according to the best of my ability, so help me God."
I do not see any statement or indication in the oath that Mr. Mehaffey swore to uphold that he, along with those he employs, are only obligated to investigate and prosecute felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and juvenile offenses that are brought before the court, if he agrees with or supports those laws. He was elected as the top prosecutor in Spotsylvania County to enforce all state laws and local ordinances, whether or not he agrees with those laws and/or ordinances. I believe that to do otherwise is to fail to uphold the oath of office and to protect all citizens of Spotsylvania, not just those with whom he aligns politically or ideologically. Spotsylvanians should be concerned about this statement from their elected commonwealth's attorney.