Posted on 07/19/2004 11:54:44 AM PDT by neverdem
Though none were earth-moving adjustments, Virginia passed more pro-gun laws than any other state this spring — a statistic local lawmakers say verifies the commonwealth’s commitment to protecting the rights of its law-abiding gun owners.
Legislators approved 15 pro-gun laws, spurring shouts of praise from the National Rifle Association.
“This year was definitely a very good year for the Second Amendment in Virginia,” said NRA spokesperson Kelly Hobbs, noting the 15 new laws.
The movement away from tightening gun-control laws is a reflection of the state’s stance on firearms, according to the area legislators.
“I’m pretty cut and dry on this,” said Del. Beverly J. Sherwood, R-Frederick County. “That’s an example of preserving the rights of law-abiding citizens. We’re going to continue to do that. The members of the General Assembly will be putting bills in to make sure we’re not injuring those law-abiding citizens.”
Added Del. Clifford L. “Clay” Athey Jr., R-Front Royal: “We hold very important that people have a right to keep and bear arms. Virginia sort of leads to protecting that right.”
Among the laws, which Democratic Gov. Mark R. Warner signed, the General Assembly approved a bill that excludes valid concealed-carry owners — people who have been approved by a court to carry a concealed firearm — from the one-handgun-per-month limitation.
The law also allows gun collectors to purchase more than one gun per month through private sales to improve their collections.
“What we were trying to do with the one-handgun-per-month law was prevent people that were buying huge amounts of them and reselling them to people,” Athey said. “But these are people, they’ve been vetted through our court process and found to be law-abiding citizens.”
Athey sponsored one of the new laws dealing with reciprocity. It increases the number of states with which Virginia’s concealed-carry laws comply.
Now, concealed-carry owners in several other states — including West Virginia, Tennessee, and Florida — will have their permits recognized in Virginia and vice-versa.
The law also grants the Virginia State Police office in Richmond the right to issue temporary concealed-carry permits to people who have court-authorized permits in other states that have reached reciprocity with Virginia.
“If people travel in the Southeast, they should now be able to carry concealed weapons,” Athey said.
Added Del. Joe T. May, R-Leesburg: “If I’m checking your background in Pennsylvania, then I’m sure it’s the same record in Virginia.”
The reciprocity law does not cross over into Maryland, Athey said.
BANG
If my CCW is good in one state, it should be good in ALL states.
Nevertheless, this is good news.
Sure is good to be a Virginian!
bump
This from the State who's SEN Warner(Rino) is one of the sponsors of the Brady Bunch for extending the Clintonista Gun control act.
That's why I'm hoping this term is his swan song. Does anyone know when his term expire? It's either 06 or 08.
Were men are men and women like to be.
Virginia Constitution 1776
SEC. 13. That a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free State; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided, as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.
http://www.nhinet.org/ccs/docs/va-1776.htm
It's just more evidence that even the RATS are starting to realize that being anti-gun will cost them big time at the ballot box.
Unfortunately, many RINOS still want to stay on the defensive when it comes to the gun issue.
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