I’m too angry at “Democrats” Creigh Deeds (this is largely about his personal pique at Doug Wilder, by the way) and John Edwards right now to say anything coherent, let alone acceptable on a blog that strongly discourages profanity, so for now I’ll just post the following statement (bolding added by me for emphasis) from Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws. Other than that, all I have to say is @#$@##@$@#$@ – unprintable. Also, I’d note that without Edwards’ and Deeds’ defections, this bill would have been defeated by a 21-19 margin. Nice job, guys! (snark)
P.S. Needless to say, I’m utterly disgusted with these extremist Teapublicans (and hopefully there will be a major backlash at the polls, starting this November), but I guess I expect them to do crazy stuff like this. I do NOT expect people from my own party to join them in going off the deep end.
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ADVOCATES REACT TO HISTORIC VIRGINIA SENATE VOTE
-In striking down Virginia’s one-handgun-a-month law (21-19), Senate returns Virginia to gun-running capital-
RICHMOND, February 6, 2012 – The Senate of Virginia today took a big step backward in striking down Virginia’s one-gun-a-month law. The Senate voted to pass SB 323. The legislation now moves to the House of Delegates, where a similar bill already has passed.
“In years past, the Senate was the adult voice in the conversation,” said Senator Donald McEachin. “Now that a repeal of this law, which targeted illegal gun traffickers, has passed both Chambers, the issue is in the Governor’s hands. This debate has captured the attention of folks across the Commonwealth, and we know all eyes will be on Governor McDonnell as he ultimately considers SB 323 and its impact on the safety and reputation of the Commonwealth.”
“Virginia has had more than its share of horrific tragedies perpetrated by criminals with easy access to firearms,” said Lori Haas, mother of Virginia Tech shooting survivor, Emily Haas. “It is a sad day when our legislators purposely make it easier for gun traffickers to do their dirty business. We’re especially disappointed in Senator John Edwards, whose very own district has included horrific acts of gun violence in recent years. We held out hope that Senator Edwards, and others, would have heeded the voice of the majority of their constituents who oppose repealing this effective policy. While SB 323 has passed the Senate, the gun lobby has not had free rein this year in pushing its agenda unchecked. Even with the new dynamics in the Senate, we’ve prevailed on a number of bills.”
“Not only is this bill bad policy, but it’s also bad politics,” said Andrew Goddard, President of the Virginia Center for Public Safety. “Recent polling, both regional and statewide, has consistently shown what we already know, namely that voters across the Commonwealth are concerned with gun-related crime and violence. Families want law enforcement to retain those public safety tools that will keep us safe in our homes and communities. We don’t need to turn back the clock and return to an era when Virginia was ground zero for the gun-running cartels.”
Goddard added, “Governor McDonnell is responsible for governing for a broad majority of Virginians, and I am hopeful that he will not be held hostage by narrow special-interest groups on this very important public safety issue. Governor McDonnell needs to step up and preserve a policy that has protected Virginians for a generation.”
SB 323 is expected to pass the House of Delegates and be on the Governor’s desk in March. To learn more about Virginians for Responsible Gun Laws, visit Facebook.com/VARGL.
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