The Virginia House of Delegates approved three bills that make up a deal on gun policy hammered out by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and top Republicans.
The legislation easily passed the House with bipartisan support Wednesday despite heavy criticism from a gun-control group, which says the deal will make residents less safe.
The legislation would expand the number of concealed handgun permit reciprocity agreements Virginia has with other states, allowing more out-of-state permit holders to legally carry guns in Virginia.
It would also prohibit people subject to a protective order from carrying firearms and require police presence at gun shows for voluntary background checks.
“Action in the House of Delegates today continues our bipartisan progress toward an historic accord that will increase public safety in our commonwealth and save lives,” McAuliffe said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. “We can all be proud of this significant achievement that will broaden access to background checks at gun shows and protect Virginia families from gun violence at the hands of domestic abusers. I look forward to signing these important measures into law.”
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's group Everytown for Gun Safety has blasted McAuliffe for the deal, which it says is a win for the gun lobby.
