By James England via concealednation.org
Governor Terry McAuliffe has struck a deal with Virginia Republicans. In exchange for calling off his dog, Attorney General Attorney General Mark R. Herring, who unilaterally ended a majority of the state’s concealed carry reciprocity agreements, Republicans will allow a bill to pass the House and Senate which will enable the state to seize weapons from anyone under a two-year protective order for domestic-violence offenses. And staties will attend all gun shows to provide background checks on potential buyers at the sellers’ request . . .
From the Washington Post:
This is a bipartisan deal that will make Virginians safer,” McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said. “It also demonstrates that Democrats and Republicans can work together on key issues like keeping guns out of dangerous hands.”
“Bipartisanship requires give-and-take by both sides,” said Matt Moran, a spokesman for House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “This agreement restores reciprocity for law-abiding Virginians while sending a clear signal about domestic violence. There’s a lot to like here.”
Both sides framed the deal as a win for Herring (D), whose decision on concealed-carry reciprocity motivated both sides to hammer out a deal.
Screeeeech halt. So an executive political figure decides to toy with the legalities of a person’s right to self-defense and this is considered a good decision? Something’s rotten the state of Denmark.
I don’t mind if those who are convicted of domestic violence have to jump through some serious hoops. I can’t say I particularly care if a private seller at a gun show wants to make sure his buyer pass a background check. But to use a person’s right to carry concealed in other states or to potentially subject out-of-state visitors to charges relating to the illegal possession of a concealed firearm is ridiculous. This could have ruined some people’s lives if allowed to go on.
More importantly, for those living in towns like Bristol, Virginia, where literally half the city is in another state which isn’t covered under the proposed reciprocity changes, you’re effectively forcing that population to either carry illegally (which we never advocate) or engage in some interesting ninja acrobatics to avoid breaking the law.
That’s almost the very definition of the lengths a corrupt, bureaucratic system will go to achieve its agenda. One thing we need to make abundantly clear: real politics should never resemble the machinations of House of Cards.
The only good news from all of this this is that Virginia’s reciprocity agreements won’t be held hostage any longer. At least for now.