Bill passes to restrict access to Va. concealed-gun permit list

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The Associated Press
© February 25, 2009

RICHMOND

A bill restricting the public’s access to a statewide database of Virginians with permits to carry concealed handguns is on its way to the governor.

Republican Delegate Dave Nutter's bill passed out of the Senate unanimously on Wednesday, eliminating public access to the statewide database. It passed unopposed from the House earlier this month.

The public still could get information on concealed carry permit holders at each circuit court, but would not have access to a statewide State Police database.

Nutter first introduced the bill last year after The Roanoke Times posted the state police database of permit holders on its Web site. Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell advised the state police to stop making the list available, but Nutter said any Circuit Court judge could overrule the opinion.

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For those on both sides

Submitted by JET on Wed, 07/01/2009 at 3:22 pm.

Remember, you don't have to register or have a permit to own or carry a gun. You need a permit to carry concealed guns. I could own a small arsenal and carry around 400 pounds of hidden razor sharp knives and never register a thing.
Those of you who worry about people with concealed carry permits should, rather, worry about those who don't have a permit and go about armed. NOBODY checks on or regulates them.

I see it as a huge assumption

Submitted by Gertz Point on Sat, 02/28/2009 at 2:02 pm.

"The background check to get a permit is extensive"

That may be well and true, but I feel a terrible assumption is being made. Over and over we hear of guns bneing found by kids who have killed each other as well as kids takfing their Dad's gun to school.
You seem to think that just because a background check is "extensive", then ALL concealed carriers are responsible adults, and I don't agree with that.
Our open carry laws are also entirely too lax. Anyone can walk around out cities, towns, communities or anywhere they want to with a gun on their hip. There is no reason for the criminal to not do the same.

What is missing in people's judgement is common sense. Gun advocates can continue their same rhetoric, but for God sakes get some common sense.

We're the good guys

Submitted by Proud Native on Fri, 02/27/2009 at 11:20 pm.

Gertz Point said, "Because you people are scary and we want to know who you are."

That's one heck of a statement. The background check to get a permit is extensive. No criminal would go through it. We're decent people. I believe you, but I really don't understand the fear.

Are you saying that you would feel safer if we couldn't carry concealed, knowing that the criminals would still have their guns?

why publish your name?

Submitted by Gertz Point on Fri, 02/27/2009 at 9:35 am.

Because you people are scary and we want to know who you are.

Va. concealed-gun permit list

Submitted by Joseph39 on Fri, 02/27/2009 at 12:41 am.

I had an e-mail back and forth with the writer of the list in the Times. He didn't know what "B.A.T.F.E." stood for.
After a lengthy explanation he still didn't get it, I told him if he didn't know what that meant he wasn't qualified to report on CCW permits or any other firearms related issue.
I also explained that if someone broke into my house and got into my safe, took my guns, then were caught and said they found my address from the list in the newspaper I was going to sue him for the damage and criminal activity he has encouraged.
Just like articles on "assault weapons" what are they? They are nothing but a made up term by the media and politicians to scare people so the government can control any firearm they call an assault weapon. The firearms they place under this term are semi-auto with a military style look, that's it there is no other issue. Full auto firearms are already restricted heavily to the point of being banned. And no it's not easy to convert a semi to a full auto that's another trick.
Well that author didn't have a clue about anything to do with firearms. That list would become a shopping list for those criminal that believed they could get away with

Wrong Newspaper

Submitted by Proud Native on Thu, 02/26/2009 at 10:34 am.

davidj37901 "It seems like we have a large audience of brainwashed Rush Limbaugh listeners".

I agree that your spread-the-pork views are in the minority around here. Try posting to the New York or L.A. Times.

What is the compelling need for it?

Submitted by Proud Native on Thu, 02/26/2009 at 10:29 am.

For what reason would a newspaper publish our names for the world to see? What good purpose was served when The Roanoke Times published the information?

Hilarious. . .

Submitted by davidj37901 on Thu, 02/26/2009 at 1:00 am.

"As the economy worsens, and it will continue to do so, we look forward to having you join our "crazy cowboy" club as you begin to see crime skyrocket, police presence dwindle, and sentencing guidelines be compromised due to budget constraints. Sorry, but my family's safety is worth more to me than any budget-cut."

See my post entitled "Oh, man. . ."

Should your name be published as NOT owning a firearm?

Submitted by oracledbatobe on Wed, 02/25/2009 at 9:17 pm.

I invite anyone who believes that permit holders should be published in local papers to submit their name being published as NOT owning a firearm. It's only fair that gun-control get to know who has firearms just as it is fair for criminals to know who doesn't. Afterall, we should be "transparent" and an "equal opportunity" society. As the economy worsens, and it will continue to do so, we look forward to having you join our "crazy cowboy" club as you begin to see crime skyrocket, police presence dwindle, and sentencing guidelines be compromised due to budget constraints. Sorry, but my family's safety is worth more to me than any budget-cut. How about you prove that YOU are law-biding enough to chime in on gun rights...The permit holders already have proven it with background checks by the FBI, ATF, & State Police.

Chris33 never fails to disappoint!

Submitted by oracledbatobe on Wed, 02/25/2009 at 9:01 pm.

Chris33 never fails to disappoint! Man, you should really not blog on issues you lack a firm understanding of. FYI, the whole purpose of a permit is for others to NOT know you are armed while respecting the law when we do carry. We have already proven to be more law-biding than you that judge us based on media fears. If permit holder names were published in the paper, then anyone that doesn't like you can easily accuse you of threatening them with a firearm and they would have all they need to support their accusations. We live in a society where you don't have to provide evidence that your accusations are true...but instead prove the accusations against you are false. This come come at a great expense that can never be recuped. We went and got permits to abide by the law and gun-controlists fears. And yet it is not enough to want a complete ban while never being able to dispel proven statistics that gun control invites more crime & more victims. This is why pro-gun WILL NOT compromise because an inch always equals a mile.