PRO-GUN FREEDOM REPUBLICANS ON THE MARCH IN VIRGINIA

By: Steve Contorno | 12/14/11 8:05 PM


Pro-gun Republicans in Virginia said they will press ahead with efforts
to undo the state's gun laws in coming months, including the state's
long-standing one handgun per month rule, even as last week's
murder-suicide on Virginia Tech's campus revived painful memories
of the 2007 massacre.

A handful of pro-gun bills is already in the works. Del. Mark Cole,
R-Fredericksburg, filed a bill last week that bars localities from
offering incentives to gun owners to surrender their firearms and
another banning clerks from releasing the names of individuals who
have licenses to carry concealed handguns.

Gun bills are a regular feature of any General Assembly session,
but for years a Democratic Senate regularly killed them. However,
next year the Senate will be split 20-20 between the parties with
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, casting tie-breaking votes,
increasing the chances of pro-gun legislation passing.

The top target for pro-gun groups is lifting Virginia's limit of one
handgun purchase per month.

"I really think this year is our best shot to repeal" the law, said David Adams,
legislative committee chairman for the Virginia Shooting Sports Association,
an affiliate of the National Rifle Association. The group will also push
for liability protections for homeowners who shoot intruders inside their homes.

Gov. Bob McDonnell supported the one-gun-a-month limit in 1993,
but on the campaign trail in 2009 he pledged to end the restriction.
McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin reiterated that support Wednesday,
saying the limit is unnecessary because of "major advances in computerized
background check technology since the law was first put on the books."

Last week, a Virginia Tech police officer was killed by 22-year-old
Ross Ashley, who used a legally purchased handgun. The shocking
murder-suicide immediately stirred fears of the 2007 mass shooting
in which 32 people were shot to death.

Gun control advocates said they believe many of the previously
defeated gun measures could succeed in a statehouse now largely
controlled by Republicans.

"Republicans are going to be responsible for what comes out and
whatever results from the decisions they make," said Del. Patrick
Hope, D-Arlington. "In all likelihood they will become law. People
should get ready for the wild, wild West here in Virginia, and I'm not
sure that's what people voted for when they went to the booths in November."