Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 8, 1990 TAG: 9003081665
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The House passed the bill 50-43, but not before tacking on three crippling amendments.
"It's gutted," said Virginia Beach Sen. Moody Stallings, the bill's sponsor.
Stallings said he would ask the Senate to reject the amendments and try to salvage the bill in House-Senate conference negotiations.
But the House sent a strong message Wednesday that it wanted nothing to do with punitive measures against gun owners whose firearms are used in accidental shootings involving children.
Stallings' bill as it emerged from the House Courts of Justice Committee would have made it a criminal offense, punishable by up to six months in jail, to "recklessly" leave a loaded firearm within reach of small children.
Supporters said the penalty might prove a deterrent to accidental shootings that recently have injured or killed several children in Virginia.
"This bill is about saving the lives of Virginia's children," said Del. Glenn Croshaw, D-Virginia Beach.
But opponents, led by House Republicans, took turns shooting holes in the bill during nearly two hours of debate.
Del. Andy Guest, R-Front Royal, said there was no way the General Assembly could legislate responsibility for gun owners.
"The passage of a bill - in an of itself - will not save another injury or another life," Guest said.
The House adopted amendments stripping the bill of jail time for offenders and allowing prosecution of only those who "wantonly and recklessly" leave a loaded gun within reach of small children.
Chuck Cunningham, a lobbyist with the National Rifle Association, said the House's narrow vote indicated that a stronger bill had little chance of emerging from the 1990 General Assembly, which is scheduled to adjourn Saturday.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
by CNB