To Help Curb Suicide, Virginia Bill Would Let People Ban Themselves From Owning Guns
LAPPL News Watch
February 21, 2020
A bill advancing in the Virginia General Assembly would allow people to voluntarily waive their right to buy a gun as a protection against firearm suicide.
It’s an updated version of a first-of-its-kind law enacted in Washington State last year. As The Trace reported in October, many local officials responsible for administering waivers there didn’t know the law existed or didn’t have the waivers on hand. As a result, the Washington law has seldom been used.
Fredrick Vars, the University of Alabama law professor who came up with the idea in 2013 and is responsible for proposing it to legislators in both states, said the shortfalls highlighted by The Trace’s reporting led him to revise the pitch he brings to state legislators across the country.
Like the Washington measure, the Virginia bill creates a list of prohibited firearm purchasers. People concerned about their risk of buying and misusing a firearm would be able to register with the State Police to be added to the list.
No comments:
Post a Comment