Virginia’s Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Republican lawmakers are announcing a compromise on gun laws Friday to lift a restriction on concealed carry in the state, while also placing state police at gun shows in the commonwealth.
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Attorney General Mark Herring’s controversial action revoking reciprocity agreements on concealed carry with 25 states was scrapped by a bi-partisan deal that will tighten record checks in gun shows and take weapons away from those under protective orders involving domestic abuse.
Everytown continued to emphasize their desire that McAuliffe cut the agreements as a way to force other states to adopt more gun control in order to enjoy reciprocity with Virginia.
“The gun rights people said let’s try to work out something that deals with the reciprocity issue, because that’s a big issue for them, in exchange for something that addresses the gun safety concerns that people like myself have”, says Democratic Leader David Toscano.
GOP leaders have agreed to support a measure prohibiting people from carrying a firearm if they are subject to a permanent protective order for a domestic violence offense, according to House Speaker William J. Howell’s office. The two recently held a news conference in Bristol during which they spoke out against the decision to no longer recognize the out-of-state permits. The deal would also keep Virginians who can’t obtain Virginia carry permits from using another state’s permit to carry in Virginia. “Strongly enforcing these laws makes it harder for a gun to get into the hands of a unsafe person who might hurt themselves, someone else, or commit a crime”.
This story has been corrected to show that subjects of permanent protective orders would be prohibited from having firearms, not from having concealed handgun permits. It was very much a minor concession in line with what most Republicans support.
Herring said he’s encouraged to see both sides finally come together to address the issue of gun violence. “I am glad we were able to reach an agreement”.
“I believe the Governor does think this is not a bad thing, we simply believe that it’s not enough and that there are other things the can be done that would have made a difference”, said Barbara Parker said.
This apparent change in the direction of the breeze on gun policy in Richmond did not go unnoticed by gun control advocates.
McAuliffe’s action to reverse Herring’s decision now goes before the State Assembly for approval.
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While the NRA has praised the deal, gun-safety advocates who just last week rallied on Capitol Square with the governor described it as a betrayal. He noted that there are many issues that differentiate the parties; gun control shouldn’t be one of them.
