Nearly a year after the massacre at Virginia Tech, questions on gun control have emerged again in the wake of the February 14th shooting at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois. A Google News search yields just as many op-ed pieces about the Illinois tragedy as news articles. Here’s a review of gun-related news in those states:
Virginia seems unchanged by the tragedy as far as gun regulation is concerned. According to the Virginian Pilot, both houses of the state legislature passed a bill Friday that allows gun owners to carry a concealed weapon into a restaurant. Previous laws mandated that gun owners must make visible their weapon to patrons and employees of a restaurant. The new bill stipulates that gun owners possessing a concealed weapon merely notify the restaurant employees. Governor Tim Kaine is expected to veto the measure. Currently in Virginia, there are no laws restricting the sale or possession of military-style semi-automatic assault weapons. Additionally, at gun shows it is permitted for private collectors and dealers to sell guns to individuals without issuing a criminal background check.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced last week at a news conference his annual push for more stringent gun laws in Illinois. The effort includes several forthcoming bills that would require criminal background checks in private handgun sales and ban semiautomatic assault weapons and gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
Image Credit: Flickr user Michael (mxtx)
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