Senate panel defeats bill to close "gun-show loophole" - News

Senate panel defeats bill to close "gun-show loophole"

Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008 - 04:06 PM Updated: 04:26 PM

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The Senate Courts of Justice Committee today voted 9-6 to defeat a bill to close the "gun-show loophole," effectively rendering the bill dead for this legislative session.

The panel then voted 14-1 to send the legislation to the Crime Commission for further study. That group is not scheduled to meet until May. The legislative session is to adjourn March 8.

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, had sought to salvage the bill this afternoon. He won approval on the panel for an amendment that made three changes in the legislation. The changes

would exempt from a background check any prospective purchaser who already has a permit to carry a concealed weapon and who wants to buy a gun from an unlicensed seller.

would exempt from a background check any purchases of antique weapons from unlicensed sellers.

would make the background check apply only on the leased premises of the gun show.

But senators still voted down the bill. The vote went along party lines, with two exceptions. Democratic Sens. John S. Edwards of Roanoke and W. Roscoe Reynolds of Henry voted against the bill.