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tech tragedy gives urgency to efforts, he says kaine backing gun checks
Kaine wants tighter control of guns
Date published: 1/9/2008
By Chelyen Davis RICHMOND-- Flanked by families of the Virginia Tech shooting victims, Gov. Tim Kaine said yesterday that that tragedy has given urgency to requiring background checks on gun purchases, even from private dealers. Kaine was announcing his support for closing the "gun-show loophole"--a part of the law that exempts from background checks gun purchases made through private, unlicensed sellers. "Closing this loophole does not place an unreasonable burden on buyers or sellers," Kaine said. "There's no reason for law-abiding gun owners to oppose the background check Now, more than ever in the aftermath of April 16, Virginia understands this is a public-safety issue. We need to close this last door which would enable criminals and others to find easy access to guns." State law requires licensed dealers to run a background check on everyone buying a gun; felons, those under a restraining order, or those a judge has said are mentally ill and a danger to themselves or others, are not supposed to be able to buy guns. But a private citizen can go to a gun show and sell a gun to anyone, without running a background check. To fall into that category, the seller can only sell a certain number of guns a year. While Seung Hui-Cho, the student who killed 32 Tech students and faculty, and injured others, did not buy his guns at a gun show, he could have--and, said one parent, would have if his mental health background had turned up on a background check, preventing him from legally buying guns. "That's what Mr. Cho would have done," said Joe Samaha, a Stafford County Realtor whose daughter Reema was killed in the shootings. "I plead to the delegates and senators this session to pass this law, that will close the loophole for the benefit of all Virginians." Efforts to close the loophole in years past have been unsuccessful, in part because of opposition from gun rights groups who think it infringes on their rights. Kaine acknowledged that the legislation has been "a challenging bill in the past." But, he said, if requiring private sellers at gun shows to do background checks would save even one life, it is worth it, and that the Tech shootings prove it isn't just a theoretical argument.
Date published: 1/9/2008
Why wouldn't you...
(posted by
Faithful_Reader
, Jan. 10, 2008 4:08 pm)
While were at it, let's drug test everyone that lives or works in Virginia. After all, "Why wouldn't you want to prevent a crime?''
Good Idea it would not have helped..
(posted by
sls001
, Jan. 9, 2008 12:23 pm)
While I think this is a good idea - it would not have helped in the VT case because if you look back the agency that was supposed to report his metal illness did not report it so when he purchased the guns his back-ground check came back with no issues!
Get real!
(posted by
Chiswald
, Jan. 9, 2008 10:27 am)
This bill isn't going to outlaw guns for law abiding citizens. The intent is simply to make it a little more difficult for those with a criminal or mentally deranged history to purchase them. Comparing the sale of alcohol with the sale of guns is juvenile.
Patrick...
(posted by
freedomfirst
, Jan. 9, 2008 10:19 am)
I finally agree with you on a gun issue. Even though you characterize me as an NRA stormtrooper, I firmly believe the constitution is the law of the land. That includes protecting the people from criminals and the insane. To me, this isn't a gun issue at all.
Daniel, you are in left field on this. If you want to control alcohol consumption handle it the way States handle cigarette consumption. Charge a $50.00 a bottle tax. It's not going to happen since most of our lawmakers are tipplers.
How about this to cut down on deaths
(posted by
DanielMMahon
, Jan. 9, 2008 8:09 am)
The state sells booze at the state owned liquor stores. How about we outlaw booze. Or how about background checks for all the drinkers. Alcohol kills! Seems to me the state has a double standard here. They actually are part of the process of selling alcohol that people drink too much and cause alcohol related issues here in Virginia.
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