WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Virginia House panel rejects gun bill; Tech parents will keep fighting
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It's always a controversial issue, but this year it's emotional. A House of Delegates committee acted on a bill to close the so-called gun show loophole. Parents of those killed or wounded on April 16 at Virginia Tech showed up to support the bill but left disappointed.
Thursday marked nine months since 32 teachers and students were killed at Virginia Tech. Although the shooter in that case did not buy his guns from a gun show, he could have. That is why parents of those he shot want the law to change.
Emily Haas was in French class on April 16. Two of Seung Hui Cho's bullets hit her in the head. "I was out shopping with my minister when I received a phone call from my 19-year-old daughter," says Emily's mother Lori Haas. "'Mommy, I've been shot.'"
Lori and other parents urged members of the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee to approve closing the so- called gun show loophole. They want to require private unlicensed sellers to perform background checks on customers at gun shows.
"The person who's going to kill somebody tomorrow in Virginia can get their gun from the next gun show," says Andrew Goddard.
These parents say If one life can be saved by changing the law, it's worth it. But since Virginia does not regulate private guns sales, some argue there's no loophole to close.
"There is no such thing as an unlicensed dealer," says Joel Partridge with the National Rifle Association. "You are either a firearms dealer, you are licensed by the federal government to conduct these transactions, or you are not."
Another man testified less than one percent of guns used to commit crimes are actually purchased at gun shows.
After several squabbles over parliamentary procedure, delegates effectively killed the bill. However, this debate is far from being over. There's still an identical bill alive in the Senate.
The Virginia Tech parents who spoke with News-7 about this story say Friday's action only energized them.
