Va. House panel OKs repeal of gun-purchase limit

By Michael Sluss

RICHMOND

The most gun-friendly committee in the General Assembly struck a blow Friday against Virginia's most recognized gun-control law.

The House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee endorsed legislation that would repeal Virginia's one- gun-a -month law, setting up a vote in the full House of Delegates next week. The measure is likely to pass in the GOP-controlled House.

The committee's 15-6 vote came on the same day that the full House passed legislation that would allow Virginians with concealed-carry permits to have concealed handguns in establishments that serve alcohol, as long as they don't drink.

A Senate panel endorsed similar legislation earlier this week.

Gov. Bob McDonnell indicated during his election campaign that he would sign legislation allowing concealed weapons in restaurants and bars. He also said he favored repeal of the one- gun-a-month law, a signature initiative of former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder that McDonnell supported as a legislator in 1993.

The House committee endorsed the repeal despite objections from opponents who complained that the legislation was rammed through a subcommittee and the committee with little public notice.

Supporters of HB49 said the state's limit on handgun purchases has lost its effectiveness after lawmakers carved out an array of exceptions over the years, including an exception for gun owners with concealed-carry permits. The bill has backing from the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups.

"It may have had a purpose in 1993 when it was passed," said the bill's sponsor, Del. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William County. "But if it did, the rationale for this statute has been neutered by all the exemptions that now exist."

Lingamfelter also argued that the evolution of instant electronic background checks has rendered the state law unnecessary and provided a safeguard against gun purchases by criminals.

"In reality, one gun a month, as it is euphemistically referred to, does not stop crime," Lingamfelter said. "Criminals who are inclined to break the law don't obey this one."

All of the committee's Republican members who were present supported Lingamfelter's bill, as did Democrats Jim Shuler of Blacksburg and Lynwood Lewis of Accomack County. Shuler said he agreed with Lingamfelter's assertion that the one-gun-a-month law has become unnecessary.

Opponents of the bill said scrapping the law would, among other things, open the door for straw purchases of guns that would be resold to criminals and others who want to avoid electronic background checks.

"If someone walks into a store and buys 10 brand-new Glocks, they're not putting them into their own pocket for their own protection," said Andrew Goddard, a gun-control activist whose son was wounded in the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech. "They're buying 10 new Glocks because they're trying to sell them to somebody."

Goddard said lawmakers have created multiple avenues for gun buyers to avoid background checks. He cited a bill (HB69) the committee endorsed Friday that would exempt firearms and ammunition made and sold within Virginia from federal firearms laws.

Goddard and other opponents of the bill said they hope to enlist Wilder's help in defeating Lingamfelter's bill if it reaches the Senate. Wilder did not respond to a phone message left at his office. But the former governor has been critical of elected officials in both parties who have advocated repealing the limit on handgun purchases.

Opponents of Lingamfelter's bill also questioned the way the House committee handled the legislation. The bill was heard at a hastily called subcommittee meeting Thursday before going to the full committee Friday morning. But no docket for Friday's committee meeting was published in advance, leaving the public in the dark about what legislation would be heard.

House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, defended the committee's handling of the bill but acknowledged that "sometimes things don't work as smoothly as they ought to."

"This bill is not one that was filed at the last minute and should be a surprise," said Griffith, noting that Lingamfelter's bill was filed Dec. 21. "The citizens of the commonwealth have had lots of time to look at this bill and discuss it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.