A repeal of the state's one-handgun-a-month law and a bill to require voters without identification to cast provisional ballots have passed the state's House of Delegates and are on to the Senate.
Both bills were the topic of substantial debate Tuesday, and Democrats again lashed out at the legislation today.
The voter ID measure -- House Bill 9, introduced by Del. Mark L. Cole, R-Spotsylvania -- passed on a 69-30 vote. The vote came a day after a rally in opposition to the bill drew more than 300 people to the Capitol.
Those opposed claim the legislation is designed to suppress the vote of minorities, students and the elderly, among others.
The one-gun-a-month repeal – House Bill 940, carried by Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William – cleared the chamber on 66-32 vote.
"If this bill is passed, an individual can go into any gun store and buy an unlimited number of guns," warned Del. Joseph D, Morrissey, D-Henrico moments before the vote.
"Let's be clear what's going to happen," Morrissey added. "Some crack addict is going to be given half a gram of coke, he is going to be given a Virginia driver's license…and he will go into a place and he will buy nine or 10 Glocks or 357s or whatever.…and we will return to the days where we are the gun capitol of the South."
Advertisement