House to lift time limit on handgun purchases

By Michael Sluss

RICHMOND

The House of Delegates advanced legislation Monday that would repeal the state's one-handgun-per-month condition and exempt guns made and used in Virginia from federal firearms laws.

The Republican-dominated chamber also set up a final vote on a bill that would block public access to concealed-carry permit records filed in local circuit courts. Final votes on all three measures will occur today, the House's deadline to finish work on its own legislation.

On a voice vote, the House took another step toward approving the repeal of Virginia's limit on handgun purchases. The one-handgun-per-month law, passed in 1993, was a signature initiative of former Gov. Douglas Wilder, a Democrat, who pushed it as a means of reducing illegal gun trafficking.

However, supporters of the repeal say that the limit on handgun purchases has lost its effectiveness after lawmakers carved out an array of exceptions, including an exception for gun owners with concealed-carry permits.

The evolution of instant background-check technology also has helped to keep guns from criminals and others who are prohibited from buying them, said Del. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William County, the bill's sponsor.

"Making it harder for the law-abiding citizen to acquire a handgun legally will not stop felons from acquiring a handgun illegally," Lingamfelter said.

Del. Joe Morrissey, D-Henrico County, said that the one-handgun limit has helped to stop gun running and to reduce gun violence in the city of Richmond.

"We are unraveling almost two decades of progress," Morrissey said.

The House also advanced a bill, HB69, sponsored by Del. Bill Carrico, R-Grayson County, that would exempt firearms and ammunition made and used in Virginia from federal laws. The bill has been embraced by 10th Amendment advocates who criticize the reach of the federal government.

Some legislators questioned whether the bill could have dangerous consequences.

"I'm worried about now eliminating all federal regulations from these extraordinarily dangerous weapons that can pierce armor," said Del. Dave Albo, R-Fairfax County, who also questioned whether Carrico's bill could make unregulated, high-powered weapons more accessible to terrorists.

Carrico said his bill "only gives the good guys a little bit of an advantage of being able to manufacture them to defend themselves."

The House also advanced legislation that would deny public access to concealed-carry permit records maintained by circuit courts. The bill's sponsor, Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan County, said many permit holders got permits to protect themselves from specific threats and could be put at risk by having their names and addresses released.

The General Assembly last year passed legislation putting the Virginia State Police database of concealed-carry permit holders off-limits to the public. That law was triggered by The Roanoke Times' posting of the database on its Web site in 2007.