THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 4, 1996 TAG: 9603040059
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: BRISTOL, VA. LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Carrying a concealed weapon has become more popular in southwest Virginia since a law relaxing regulations went into effect in July, officials said.
Hundreds of permits have been issued in the region, ranging from a high of 282 in Wise County to a low of 30 in Tazewell County.
The reasons for carrying a concealed weapon seem to be as abundant as the number of permits that have been issued, said Steve Martin, a training director in security and private investigation at Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands. Martin said the prevailing reason, however, is personal safety.
The law removed language from the concealed-weapon permit that required applicants ``to be of good character'' and that applicants ``demonstrate a need'' to carry concealed weapons.
The measure allows a circuit judge to deny a permit to an applicant who is a convicted felon, has a felony charge pending, is a fugitive from justice or has been convicted of two or more misdemeanors, with at least one being a class one misdemeanor.
While the law has reduced the amount of judiciary discretion, it does allow judges to require that applicants have proof that they have demonstrated competence with a handgun. The law recognizes completion of approved firearm courses as handgun competence for the applicants.
Since the new law took effect, Martin said the interest in the school's concealed-weapons classes has increased dramatically.
``What we have is people who have never handled a gun to professionals, so we really have a wide array,'' Martin said.
KEYWORDS: HANDGUNS CONCEALED WEAPONS by CNB