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Kaine Vetoes Attempts to Scale Back Gun Restrictions
By Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 4, 2008; 11:25 AM
RICHMOND, March 4 -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) vetoed two bills Tuesday that would have loosened restrictions on where someone may carry or place a firearm.
Virginia already has some of the least-restrictive guns laws in the country. Under state law, a person 21 or older can obtain a permit for carrying a concealed handgun. No permit is needed if someone 18 or older wants to carry a gun in plain sight.
The state House and Senate approved a bill this year that would have allowed people to keep a concealed weapon in a car if it was locked in a compartment or container, even if they didn't have a permit.
The legislature also approved a bill that would have allowed someone to carry a concealed weapon into restaurants that serve alcohol. Currently, it's only legal to carry a weapon into a restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol.
Kaine vetoed both bills, saying they pose a danger to law enforcement officers. Kaine also said he worried about the safety of restaurant employees and patrons if weapons were allowed into bars.
In his 2005 bid for governor, Kaine campaigned as a supporter of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which pertains to the right to bear arms.
In office, Kaine has advocated some tougher gun restrictions. He unsuccessfully pushed this year to close the so-called gun show loophole, which allows some people to purchase firearms at a gun show without going through a background check.
"He tried to portray to himself as a moderate on guns, and I think these bills [he vetoed] show this is not true," said Mike Stollenwerk, a gun rights advocate. "Being able to lock your gun up [in your car] when you are traveling is simply a common sense measure."
Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) said he welcomed the vetoes.
"These [bills] do not make our streets safer," said Moran, a former prosecutor.
Another gun bill also appears to be dead this year. Some legislators were pushing for a proposal that would have allowed students and faculty to carry a concealed weapon on college campuses, but House leaders never brought it up for a vote.
By Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 4, 2008; 11:25 AM
RICHMOND, March 4 -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) vetoed two bills Tuesday that would have loosened restrictions on where someone may carry or place a firearm.
Virginia already has some of the least-restrictive guns laws in the country. Under state law, a person 21 or older can obtain a permit for carrying a concealed handgun. No permit is needed if someone 18 or older wants to carry a gun in plain sight.
The state House and Senate approved a bill this year that would have allowed people to keep a concealed weapon in a car if it was locked in a compartment or container, even if they didn't have a permit.
The legislature also approved a bill that would have allowed someone to carry a concealed weapon into restaurants that serve alcohol. Currently, it's only legal to carry a weapon into a restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol.
Kaine vetoed both bills, saying they pose a danger to law enforcement officers. Kaine also said he worried about the safety of restaurant employees and patrons if weapons were allowed into bars.
In his 2005 bid for governor, Kaine campaigned as a supporter of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which pertains to the right to bear arms.
In office, Kaine has advocated some tougher gun restrictions. He unsuccessfully pushed this year to close the so-called gun show loophole, which allows some people to purchase firearms at a gun show without going through a background check.
"He tried to portray to himself as a moderate on guns, and I think these bills [he vetoed] show this is not true," said Mike Stollenwerk, a gun rights advocate. "Being able to lock your gun up [in your car] when you are traveling is simply a common sense measure."
Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) said he welcomed the vetoes.
"These [bills] do not make our streets safer," said Moran, a former prosecutor.
Another gun bill also appears to be dead this year. Some legislators were pushing for a proposal that would have allowed students and faculty to carry a concealed weapon on college campuses, but House leaders never brought it up for a vote.
But it didn't make a difference, as we could not get anyone who voted against the bill originally to stand up and vote for the override. We needed to pickup three votes to make the override work.
causing the override for SB 436 to fail, when it shouldn't have. By buckling, those Democrats are saying that currying favor with the Governor is more important than our right to protect ourselves. 
