The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Several gun bills that were expected to squeak through the General Assembly may be on their way to a firing squad instead thanks to maneuvering by a senior Democrat.
Sen. Henry Marsh of Richmond, who chairs the Courts of Justice Committee, announced Monday that he has created a new subcommittee to handle certain bills, including the gun measures.
That panel - stacked with four Democrats and one Republican - will have the power to kill legislation. That's a departure from Senate tradition and could deny the gun bills a hearing before the full committee, which includes several pro-gun Democrats.
Marsh's move comes near the end of what was expected to be one of the most gun-friendly sessions in recent years. Several bills expanding gun rights have already passed the Senate, but a number have not, including a House bill that would repeal the state's limit of one handgun purchase per month.
Philip Van Cleave of the pro-gun Virginia Citizens Defense League labeled Marsh's new panel the "Death Star" subcommittee, a reference to the planet-destroying behemoth of "Star Wars" fame.
"The anti-gun Democrats who control the Virginia Senate know that in the end they are outnumbered," Van Cleave wrote in an e-mail. "So they are left to playing games with our constitutionally protected rights. While that is unconscionable, sadly it is not surprising."
Marsh said the committee has already given considerable time to gun bills this session and has other items that need to be considered.
Democrats hold 10 of the 15 seats on Courts of Justice. But three of those Democrats - Sens. Creigh Deeds of Bath County, John Edwards of Roanoke and Roscoe Reynolds of Henry County - tend to vote with Republicans on gun rights bills.
This kind of action was foreshadowed last week when Senate leaders of both parties spoke publicly about mimicking the House of Delegates' practice of killing bills in subcommittee.
Marsh's actions set off a series of retaliatory shots Monday, with lawmakers in both houses bottling up bills.
The new Courts of Justice subcommittee is made up of Marsh and fellow Democratic Sens. Janet Howell of Fairfax County, Louise Lucas of Portsmouth and Linda "Toddy" Puller of Fairfax County.
Its lone Republican is Sen. Fred Quayle of Suffolk, who expressed some confusion about how the subcommittee will function, but not its composition. "Obviously, the committee is slotted to people who generally are opposed to gun measures," he said.
In the past, Marsh has unsuccessfully advocated for closing the so-called gun show loophole by requiring criminal background checks on buyers before a private gun sale can be completed.
Among the gun bills already approved by the Senate are a measure to allow individuals to carry concealed handguns in restaurants that serve alcohol so long as they don't drink, and one that would permit people to keep concealed handguns in their vehicles if stored in a locked container.
Both could be voted on by the Republican-controlled House this week.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has said he would sign legislation repealing the one-gun-a-month limit.
The new subcommittee could decide that bill's fate when it meets Thursday.
Pilot writer Deirdre Fernandes and Roanoke Times writer Michael Sluss contributed to this report.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Guns and Safety
Years ago I used to visit Dale City, Virginia, staying with friends who lived at the end of a quite cul-de-sac backing on to woods.
I loved it there, but only discovered how safe that it was when my friend's wife threw a tantrum and tried to lock him out.
In the SEVEN years that they had lived there they had never locked the front door and had lost the key !
And yet they had never been bugled, a thing almost unheard of in a similar location in the UK.
Of course the BIG difference is that over here if you shoot an intruder the police get very ratty about it and will have you up for murder.
In UK we are not so likely to get shot by criminals, but are much more likely to be beaten or stabbed to death.
There's nothing like the personal touch !
KEEP YOU RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS !!
maybe it really is time for a "change"?
You would think our elected representatives would understand that they are supposed to be representing "We The People". Here we are in the hallowed halls of government of the Great Commonwealth of Virginia, with a the left side of the isle setting up a special committee (4 anti-gun Democrats & 1 token Republican, if I remember correctly)for the sole purpose of killing pro gun legislation before the entire governing body has a chance to vote on it. It sort of reminds me of the way the Democrats in Washington have been doing back room health care and other legislation for the past year.
Maybe it really is time for a change. It's time to send these elected officials (federal, state and local) that have forgotten who "We the People" are, back home to earn their own way in the private sector.
How convenient
You left out everything after the comma
being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed
a comma is generally used to separate a dependent clause from the independent clause
How convenient
You left out everything after the comma
being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed
here you go
The first militia was established by Benjamin Franklin. This citizen militia was an all voluntary force, and had no compulsory service requirement in deference to pacifists. This militia was made up of ordinary, armed citizens, providing their service and weapons in defense of their community. I think I will put my trust in the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, a man who thoroughly understood hostile environment, tyranny, and government excess.
The House should do the same
Perhaps The Republican House of Delegates should recipricate and create some special committees unfriendly to democrats pet legislation, such as the rubbish of global warming, felons voting, and some Henry Marsh/JAnet Howell sponsored legislation.
Obviously you
haven't been following the work of the House of Delegates. Many Democratic sponsored bills died in subcommittees of the Republican led House. Nice try though, but truth wins on this one.
Well good. I hope every
Well good. I hope every democrat sponsored bill has the arms and legs cut off and drowned in the bathtub. Especially those by Henry Marsh and Janet Howell.
Yours is the post of the day.
Yours is the post of the day. Absolutely reject all Henry Marsh/Janet Howell sponsored legislation.
Marsh is in cahoots or was influenced by Wilder and Kaine
Guarantee Henry Marsh is in cahoots or was influenced by Wilder and Kaine. His action was nothing more than a spit in the face of the majority of Virginians . Nothing more than petty politics that the voters will remember at election time. Other gun measures this session will pass by a three to one margin.