2012.02.13
Va. Senate again votes to undo handgun purchase limits
RICHMOND — The state Senate today narrowly approved a House bill to repeal Virginia’s one handgun per month purchasing limit, another sign the long standing policy is all but dead.
That measure, HB 940, cleared the General Assembly’s upper chamber on a 20-19 vote, the same margin by which the Senate last week endorsed similar legislation from one of its members.
The policy restricting certain buyers to one handgun purchase every 30 days dates to 1993 when Virginia had a reputation as a haven for gun runners who sold weapons bought in this state that were later linked to violent crimes elsewhere.
Repeal opponents say the state could regain that dubious distinction if the current prohibition is scuttled.
But those who want it gone, including gun rights advocates, say it’s no longer necessary due to sophisticated background checks systems in place and tougher penalties on the books for gun crimes. They also note many Virginians are already exempt from the restriction under current law.
Having passed both General Assembly houses, a version of the legislation to overturn the one-gun-per-month law now heads to Gov. Bob McDonnell desk.
The Republican governor once supported the purchasing limit but now favors its repeal.
– Julian Walker | The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
