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Gun-control advocates to keep eyes on bills
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Gun-control advocates to keep eyes on billsOpponents hold cards on issue in Assembly Email this story Printer friendly format Search archives TOP STORIES COST OF CARING Trible moving toward inclusion York County seeks help solving crimes Deadline for applications to HU charter school Jan. 31 Parkway crash kills W&M professor By Hugh LessigDaily PressJanuary 22, 2002RICHMOND -- Gun-control advocates conducted a small rally Monday in Capitol Square. The weather didn't cooperate, and the General Assembly might not, either.Yet, that didn't erode the enthusiasm of about 60 people -- many from Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads -- who showed up in a driving rain for a small pep rally before heading off to lobby their legislators.In a state where hunting is a constitutional right -- and where conservative gun-rights activists hold a decided edge in the General Assembly -- those who favor more gun restrictions realize that they have an uphill battle."We're not real hopeful this session," said Jim Sollo, president of Virginians Against Handgun Violence Inc. "We're doing more education things."Gov. Mark R. Warner supports existing gun restrictions, but he didn't call for significant additional restrictions during his campaign last year. Sollo said he considered the new governor neutral on the issue. "There are a lot of guns out there, and there are a lot of guns in the wrong hands," Sollo said. "We think that is an issue the governor will listen to -- maybe not this year, but we have hopes for the future that we can get some responsible gun legislation in the state."A handful of bills bear watching this year. One would allow school divisions to create a "gun-free zone" that encompasses school property and areas exclusively used for school functions. The local governing body would have to authorize it first.Anyone carrying a weapon in the zone would be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $250. There are exceptions for law-enforcement personnel and for school-sponsored programs or curriculum that include firearms.Another bill would allow people to carry concealed weapons into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. However, those people couldn't consume alcohol. Del. R. Lee Ware Jr., R-Chesterfield, said he sponsored the bill to try to find a middle ground between gun-rights supporters who wanted to carry their weapons with them and people who said guns and alcohol didn't mix.Lorraine Price of Williamsburg, president of the Hampton Roads chapter of the Million Mom March, said she and her colleagues would watch all gun bills very closely.She said, "Our hopes for this session are to maybe play defense against some bad bills that are going to be put up."Hugh Lessig can be reached at (804) 225-7345 or by e-mail at hlessig@dailypress.co http://www.dailypress.com/news/yahoo/dp-16556sy0jan22.story