BY CHELYEN DAVIS

RICHMOND—The state Senate on Monday voted to repeal Virginia’s one-gun-per-month law.
The House of Delegates passed its own version of the bill last week.
Proponents of the bill said the one-gun-per-month limit—enacted nearly 20 years ago—is outdated and unnecessary in an era of quick background checks. They also pointed out that the restriction doesn’t apply to law enforcement officers, nor to any Virginian with a concealed-carry permit.

“Repealing this law will bring us in line with other states,” said Sen. Charles W. Carrico, R–Grayson, who is sponsoring the Senate bill.
Opponents said the one-gun-per-month limit was originally intended to limit gun trafficking, and that repealing it would invite criminals to start buying guns in Virginia again.

Sen. Janet Howell, D–Fairfax, said Carrico’s bill would make Virginia a “gun runners’ paradise” and “will attract all of those fine gun-running businesses to our commonwealth.”

Sen. Dick Saslaw, D–Fairfax, said that over the years the law has been in effect, a person could have bought 240 guns—one for every month.

“If you need more than 240 handguns, then I would submit something’s wrong with you,” Saslaw said. “Something’s gone wrong in your life.”
The vote was 21–19; two Democrats, Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath and Sen. John Edwards of Roanoke, voted for it, while Republican Sen. Tommy Norment of James City County voted against it.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has said he’s in favor of repealing the limitation.
Chelyen Davis:  804/343-2245
cdavis@freelancestar.com