Virginia State Police and Sheriffs Oppose Loosening Gun Laws

Pilot OnLine On a largely party-line 65-34 vote Monday, the House passed Del. Todd Gilbert’s bill (HB705) to make it easier for someone with an out-of-state concealed handgun permit to carry the weapon legally in Virginia. On a nearly identical 64-32 vote last week, the House passed Del. Dave LaRock’s bill (HB878), which would force the chief law enforcement officer of a locality to certify the transfer of a firearm within 30 days when such a certification is required under federal law for the transaction to occur. The State Police opposed both bills. The LaRock bill was also opposed by the Virginia Sheriffs Association. “We continue to see more and more of this extreme legislation that goes far beyond Second Amendment protections,” House Democratic leader David Toscano of Charlottesville said in a statement after today’s vote. Both measures now go to the state Senate, where their fate is uncertain. I suppose the cops in Virginia didn't get the NRA talking-point memo.