Gun bill carveout for lawmakers dropped before session ended

(The Center Square) – As Virginia lawmakers wrapped up work on firearm legislation before adjournment, they considered and ultimately rejected substitute language in House Bill 110 that Republicans said would give General Assembly members different treatment in a bill dealing with handguns left in unattended vehicles.

House Bill 110 would prohibit a person from leaving visible a handgun in an unattended motor vehicle and impose a civil penalty of up to $500 if signed into law. A conference report substitute included language Republicans objected to, but that language was not included in the final version approved by both chambers.

The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from Laufer.

Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, said lawmakers should not vote for a bill that gives them “a special privilege over any other citizen.” Stuart said the General Assembly is a citizen legislature and “we are no better than anybody else.”

The final action on HB110 came as la...