Senate Committee Rejects Gun Show Loophole Bill

The Senate Court of Justice Committee has rejected a bill that would have closed the so-called “Gun Show Loophole.“

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) proposed an amendment to a Senate bill that calls for background checks on anyone who is purchasing a gun from an unlicensed seller at a gun show.

The amendment spelled out by Deeds at a Senate Court of Justice Committee hearing this afternoon, would change the proposed bill in three ways:

It 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.
It would exempt from a background check any purchases of antique weapons from unlicensed sellers.
It would make the background-check apply only on the leased premises of the gun show. Areas outside the leased space, such as parking lots, would be exempt from requiring background checks.
The committee recessed about 2:30 p.m. to review the amended bill.  After discussion, they voted it down.

Deeds and Del. Brian J. Moran, D-Alexandria are seeking the party’s nomination to run for governor in 2009.