
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 31, 1993                   TAG: 9303310099
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BY MARGARET EDDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

PISTOL PROPOSAL DROPPED

Gov. Douglas Wilder backtracked Tuesday on his pledge to push next week for legislation to ban Tec-9 semiautomatic pistols, apparently because he was convinced the effort would fail.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't get the Tec-9 passed. . . . I would have taken the chance," said Del. Jean Cunningham, D-Richmond, sponsor of a bill to which the Tec-9 amendment would have been attached.

Cunningham acknowledged that she had "lots of debate" Monday with Wilder's staff over proceeding with the move against the Tec-9. Cunningham thought she could muster 48 votes in the 100-member House for an amendment to add the Tec-9 to her bill banning the "Street Sweeper," a rapid-firing shotgun. Absences or last-minute switches might have tipped the amendment toward passage, she said. "When you force people to the board," sometimes the vote gets stronger, she said.

The legislature convenes April 7 to consider bills vetoed by Wilder as well as his proposals for amendments. The governor said last month that he would propose adding the Tec-9 to the "Street Sweeper" bill. Police who pushed for restricting the Tec-9 said it is the "gun-of-choice" among drug dealers.

But critics argued that the "gun-of-choice" can change overnight, and that restricting one or two weapons will not keep other, similar guns out of the hands of criminals.

Even Richard Parise of Portsmouth, president of Virginians Against Handgun Violence, acknowledged the merit in that argument. "What we really need is a ban on assault weapons. It's not just the Tec-9, it's all guns of that ilk," he said. His group will push for such a ban next year, he said.

Cunningham insisted that her disappointment is not aimed at Wilder. "It's good to have the governor as an ally. It is clear his position helped to get one-a-month through," said Cunningham, referring to a nationally touted bill limiting most handgun sales to a per month.

Meanwhile, Wilder's office released a letter signed by the entire Seattle City Council, praising him for the handgun-bill victory. "You inspire us with new courage and determination to create a safer world for our children," it said.

by CNB