Virginia tightens gun laws

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said West Virginia will continue to have full concealed carry handgun reciprocity with Virginia.

The states whose permits are set to no longer be recognized in Virginia beginning February 1 are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Virginia law includes a number of disqualifiers for firearm licensing beyond IN statute, including individuals subject to a restraining order, individuals convicted of DUI within the three years prior to the application and individuals who are addicted to or unlawfully use marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids or any controlled substance.

The six states that now will not recognize Virginia's concealed-carry permits are: Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wyoming. Visitors from other states will need to obtain a nonresident permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Municipal police agencies have been asking for such action for years. "The people who are doing the right thing by getting a concealed carry permit are not the ones we have to worry about".

The new regulations mean that "more than 6.3 million people who could legally carry concealed handguns into Virginia today will lose the privilege when the change takes effect next year, "The Washington Post reports".

Sheriff Diggs tells 10 On Your Side he stands opposed to the new law because he feels it supports a liberal anti-gun agenda.

McAuliffe says the 25 states whose permits will no longer be recognized in Virginia just have lower standards.

Herring struck a blow for his state's sovereignty Tuesday.

He said it's a common sense step that will help keep concealed weapons out of the hands of unsafe and irresponsible people.

"I find it remarkable that Virginia would decide that North Carolina's laws aren't adequate for them", said Paul Valone, president of Grass Roots North Carolina, a pro-gun rights group. "We're gonna enforce the laws as strictly as we can, that are on the books, but we could do a lot more".

Gilbert admitted that such a proposal, if passed, is likely to face a veto by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who has been a staunch supporter of gun control measures.

"Everyone thinks the constitution and the second amendment gives me the right to carry a firearm".

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