Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 28, 1993 TAG: 9302280088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
WILL W.VA. BE GUNRUNNERS NEXT HAVEN?
Criminals who bought handguns in Virginia might turn to West Virginia for their new source of weapons now that the General Assembly has tightened handgun laws, some officials say."West Virginia could be the next frontier," said Patrick Hynes, who heads the Washington field office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which includes five counties in West Virginia. "We are already seeing activity pick up there."
West Virginia requires no background check or waiting period, and does not restrict the number of handguns that can be purchased. Buyers must only swear they are not convicted felons.
West Virginia Gov. Gaston Caperton, who has followed Virginia's gun debate, said Friday he would act "quickly to close the door on gunrunning or gun trafficking."
Caperton said he is confident he could propose similar legislation and still "maintain the rights of law-abiding citizens to purchase and own guns."
But Caperton, a Democrat, said he would not take action unless he sees signs that criminals are moving into his state for guns.
West Virginia so far has not been a major source of handguns for criminals in East Coast cities, ATF's Hynes said. Of 412 guns traced in the District of Columbia last year, only 2.2 percent came from West Virginia, according to an ATF study. In New York, of the 1,025 guns traced, about 6 percent were from West Virginia.
News of the General Assembly's action prompted calls from officials in West Virginia, Georgia and Indiana to Gov. Douglas Wilder's office and to gun-control organizations. Georgia and Texas are among states with loose gun laws that could attract more criminal buyers now that Virginia has tightened its gun measures, said David Weaver of Handgun Control.