Kaine vetoes concealed weapon bill
By Kelly Simmers, contributing writer
Posted on April 27, 2006

Just moments before his deadline of midnight on April 13, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine rejected a bill that would have allowed gun owners without a concealed weapons permit to store firearms out of sight in their vehicles.

Current Virginia law mandates that unless a gun owner possesses a concealed weapons permit, then a firearm must be in plain view in a vehicle. The vetoed bill, HB1106, proposed that loaded guns be stored in a lockbox or glove compartment without a permit required.

The bill, a defeat for pro-gun legislation in Virginia, was sponsored by Del. Clifford Athey, R-Front Royal, who said the bill was an effort to make transporting legally owned weapons easier and safer for owners.  

“This bill would have allowed anyone who owns a gun to conceal it in a vehicle.  That’s a big concern for routine traffic stops,” said Kaine’s press secretary Kevin Hall.

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police opposed the bill. Hall said the concerns of law enforcement officers were a key factor in Kaine’s decision and their testimonies helped persuade members of the legislature not to override the bill.

Sophomore Jessica Brazil agrees with the governor’s decision.

“For the most part, I think the safety of the majority is more important than making the individual happy,” Brazil said. She said she would not want students to be able to store guns in their cars on campus.

Senior John Hupp also agrees with the legislation, and thinks there should be limits to firearm ownership. “I don’t want just anyone going around with a gun. If you want to conceal a weapon, you should have permission.  Even if you’re responsible about it, someone who’s not could get a hold of it,” said.

Ernie Nuckols, owner of Nuckols Gun Works of Staunton, said he believes owners should be able to transport concealed guns. “The point is accessibility. If [the gun] is out of reach, say locked in the glove compartment or stored under the backseat, then I don’t see the problem.  I’d say it’s safer to have a gun stowed away than laying out on a seat or the dashboard.”

A background check and basic gun training are required for a concealed weapons permit in Virginia, but not required to purchase a gun. Hall said because the same regulations are not imposed for gun ownership, it is unsafe to allow those without permits to conceal weapons in vehicles.

The measure did not receive enough votes in the Senate to overturn Kaine’s veto.