The Senate Courts of Justice committee voted 8-7 to repeal the state’s one gun per month law:
Proponents, including the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Charles W. Carrico Sr. argued that the exemption-ridden law is simply an unfair way to punish law-abiding citizens. Mr. McDonnell, a Republican, supported it as a delegate representing Virginia Beach. He now says that technology has advanced enough to prevent crime and that the law is no longer necessary.
And as the Governor no longer needs to court the support, or ensure the silence, of the law’s godfather, former Gov. Doug Wilder, there’s even less need for him to remain in favor of the ban.
Not surprisingly, the committee vote broke down largely along party lines, with Republicans in favor of repealing the ban and Democrats against it. The notable exceptions: Senate majority leader Tommy Norment voted to keep the ban in place, while Democrat John Edwards voted for repeal.
