Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 10, 1991 TAG: 9102110260
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
What came out of the General Assembly was a watered-down version. Calling the State Police in Richmond is a laugh, because anyone can buy a falsified identification card to show - yes, even a falsified driver's license. The new version of a gun-control law calls for a three-day waiting period; this too is a laugh.
No matter what kind of bill a state comes up with, it will not deprive any gun fancier or hunter from owning or buying a firearm; it will endeavor to keep those with a shady background (police record, those on narcotics, or mentally ill) from owning or buying a firearm, especially a handgun.
To have a strong gun-control law, first there has to be an application for the purchase of a rifle or handgun, or for a carrying permit. Then the person wanting to purchase or carry a firearm should be fingerprinted; only then will the law-enforcement agency know if the person has an arrest record.
A three-day waiting period is not enough for this most important fingerprint check-out. An agency would need at least a week and a half for the returns to come back from the FBI or the commonwealth.
Virginia is the easiest state in which to purchase a firearm. All one needs to do is visit a flea market and purchase any kind of firearm his heart desires. They are all laid out on tables and no questions asked. Why do you think all those out-of-staters visit Virginia to buy their firearms? There's no sweat. And those gun shows they have down here, that's a laugh too; money under the table and no questions asked.
Wake up, Virginians, and let only those with a clean record possess a firearm; just maybe there will be fewer killings here in the commonwealth. RUSSELL W. JOHNSON VINTON
by CNB