First the good news - the bad gun-control bills all got killed off fairly early in the session.
HB 1969, Delegate McClure's preemption bill that would have strengthened the state law prohibiting localities from enacting gun-control ordinances, was amended by the Senate so that it would have essentially gutted the preemption law as it now stands. Fortunately the conference committee changed it to include much better language. The Senate passed the bill in its final form, but the House, which had passed the original strong preemption bill, killed it.

HB 2130, Delegate McClure's bill which improves the concealed carry reciprocity language and cleans up other areas in the concealed-carry section of law, was passed by the House and Senate. PLEASE CONTACT GOVERNOR GILMORE and ask him to sign it into law. Governor Gilmore can be reached at (804) 371-6351, or you can send a message to him online via the Governor's web site at http://www.thedigitaldominion.com/govmail.cfm
HB 2658, Lee Ware's bill to remove the restriction on carry a concealed firearm into restaurants with a license to serve alcohol, passed the Militia and Police committee but was then killed by the full House. This bill's main opponents were Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD - http://www.madd.org/ ), Virginians Against Handgun Violence (VAHV - http://www.vahv.org/ ), and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association (VHTA - http://www.vhta.org/VHTA_Information/ ).

Melinda Gierisch
SAS Virginia Coordinator

done

Does VA recognize FL Concealed Carry Permit?  How does one get an FL application?

Go here for Florida: http://licgweb.dos.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html

FYI update....
Got this reply from my e-mail to the Governor's office sent last month regarding HB 2130.


April 16, 2001

Dear xxxxxxxxxxx:

Thank you for contacting me to express your opinion regarding Virginia's
reciprocity law for concealed weapons permits.  As you may be aware, on
March 25, 2001, I approved House Bill 2130, thereby enacting this
legislation into law.  After much careful consideration, I found this
action to be in the best interest of people across our great Commonwealth.

HB 2130 clarifies the start of the 45-day period within which the court
must issue a concealed handgun permit.  Additionally, it eliminates the
"reciprocity" requirement by validating other state's handgun permits as
long as the state's handgun laws align with Virginia handgun regulations.
This bill ensures that handgun laws are applied equally and fairly to all
citizens of the Commonwealth.

I appreciate learning of your ideas and opinions about this legislation
concerning concealed weapons permits, and commend your participation in
the legislative process.  If I can be of further assistance, please do not
hesitate to contact me in the future.


Sincerely,

Carol E. Comstock
Director of Constituent Services