The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Bills that would boost speed limits on some Virginia highways, allow handgun owners to lock weapons in their cars and let those with the proper permits bring concealed firearms into restaurants gained approval in Virginia's Senate on Tuesday.
Increasing speed limits on some rural highways to 70 mph - up from the current 65 - sped out of the chamber on a 30-10 vote.
One dissenter was Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Henry County, who said raising speed limits would increase consumption of gasoline.
The speed-limit bill - Grayson County Republican Del. Bill Carrico's HB856 - previously passed the House of Delegates. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has endorsed the proposal.
Also passing the Senate on Tuesday were gun bills from Sens. Jill Vogel, R-Fauquier County, and Emmett Hanger Jr., R-Augusta County.
Vogel's bill would allow handgun owners to keep weapons in their vehicles if they are stored in a lockbox. Hanger's bill would allow people with the required permits to take concealed firearms into restaurants that serve alcohol, provided they don't have any drinks themselves.
That bill deals only with concealed weapons; in Virginia it's legal to carry a gun openly without a permit.
During debate on his SB334, Hanger said the legislation would give reassurance to some gun owners, including some women who have expressed concern to him about their safety in public places such as restaurants.
That statement drew this response from Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington: "I've really never been afraid for my life in a Red Lobster."
Vogel's bill passed 24-16; Hanger's passed 22-18. Last year, Hanger's so-called "guns in bars" bill was approved by both General Assembly chambers before then-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine vetoed it.
Another Hanger bill that mustered Senate support was SB660, which would require large Internet retailers such as Amazon.com to collect sales taxes on in-state transactions made through affiliated online merchants.
His measure, which passed 28-12, is a priority for the Virginia Retail Federation and some of its business members in Hampton Roads and beyond.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Subcommittee !! Is this fair ?
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/03/gun-bills-may-be-shot-down-special-va-subcommittee
From the looks of things .. none of these bills will get a fair hearing anyway.
liberals vs conservative.
I do believe that the ridiculousness of Liberals and Conservatives is that they cry freedom yet want to limit the rights of the other, there's plenty examples for both of them. What sucks is that they both screw the guys in the middle. I'm in the middle.
Now as far as carrying a gun into a restaurant, I don't see a big issue for someone with a concealed handgun permit, who took a firearms/safety class and whose fingerprints are now in a nationwide database to do so. If they drink and get caught it's jail time, and we all know those Freedom Lovers value their freedom way too much to get locked up.
70mph FTW!
First of all the speed limit will not encourage people to drive faster, they'll just get less tickets for speeds they've always been driving. The law is actually meeting the demand of the people and we still complain?
Time to turn the tables.
"Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington: "I've really never been afraid for my life in a Red Lobster."
Well gee wizz Senator Whipple, Elisabeth "Kelly" Reilly wasn't afraid for her life when she was Christmas shopping at Hilltop Shopping Center in Virginia Beach until this puke Christopher Hagans shot her to death in the parking lot. Of course Senator, robbery and murder is illegal and he was a naughty boy for doing what he did. Christopher Hagans obviously didn't give a rip about Title 18 of The Virginia State Code, and didn't care about the consequences of his actions. Kelly wasn't legally able to defend herself because of gun free zones in places like Red Lobster. So guess what Senator? There really are people who don't care what the law says. I say it is time to turn the tables on car jackers and those like him.
really?
'Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington: "I've really never been afraid for my life in a Red Lobster."'
Apparently she wasn't eating the food?
Great news! More guns, higher speed- don't need teachers or
More guns, higher speed- don't need teachers or therapists. Bobby McD is showing his true roots! What imbicile voted for this clown? He is cutting the programs that will help protect Virginians! Those of you who only get their info from Fox News and the human blowhard (Rush) need to get your heads out of your butts and realize that your governor is only out for the rich and influential and not for the very blue collar fools who he lied to in order to get their vote!
Ah, hold your fire. "Bobby"
Ah, hold your fire. "Bobby" hasnt signed anything yet.
Great Idea?
If this is such a great idea, why don't they allow people to carry firearms, concealed or not, in the General Assembly building, or the capitol building?
I believe
If you have a CHP you can carry in the state capital building!!!!
True statement. I have done
True statement. I have done it. You can also open carry.