Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 28, 1992 TAG: 9201280330
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY ROB EURE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
GUN CONTROL BOOSTED
Gun-control advocates, familiar with fighting the legislative leadership, found a powerful ally Monday when House Speaker Thomas Moss of Norfolk threw his clout behind gun-control measures."In the large cities of Virginia, guns and death have become linked as everyday events," Moss said at a news conference promoting the major gun-control bills before the legislature. "Whatever influence I am able to offer, I will," Moss said of measures that would establish a three-day waiting period for handgun purchasers and limit residents to buying one handgun a month.
"It's time to stop the killing and stop the firearms pipeline" from Virginia to Northeastern cities, he said.
Even as they gained Moss's powerful support, those pushing gun restrictions have lost a valuable ally. House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Vinton, who helped organize a push within the Democratic caucus for a waiting period last year, says he will likely oppose the measures this year.
Cranwell signaled before the session that he would abandon the waiting period to concentrate on strengthening the instant criminal record check on gun buyers.
Still, with Moss' backing, advocates of gun control said they feel momentum building for their efforts. Del. Jean Cunningham, D-Richmond, who is sponsoring the waiting period, pointed to a close vote in the House of Delegates last year when the late Speaker A.L. Philpott of Bassett, a strong proponent of gun-owner rights, was in power.
A rally for gun-restriction laws jammed Capitol Square on Monday morning.
"Our neighborhoods are not safe," said Norfolk City Councilman John Foster, who led a group of 200 Hampton Roads residents to the rally. "If necessary, 100,000 will come to let you know, legislators, we are tired of violent crime."
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