In the wake of yesterday's shooting incident at the University of Texas - in which a student opened fire and then killed himself - gun control is once again at the forefront of public dialogue, and results from a recent study about gun use show that Virginia could be a focal point in the ongoing debate.
The study - which was released Monday and conducted by Mayors Against Illegal Guns using data from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - reveals that in 2009, Virginia was the source of a disproportionately large percentage of firearms that were used in crimes in other states.
The data stated that there were 43,254 firearms that crossed state lines before being recovered last year, and of this total, 2,557 were from Virginia. Only two other states, Georgia and Florida, claimed higher numbers of guns used for crimes that occurred in other states. Virginia was also listed in the report as the state with the seventh-highest crime gun export rates in 2009.
In a press release Monday, MAIG stated that to "understand why some states supply more interstate crime guns, the coalition's report examined the relationship between state gun laws designed to deter illegal firearms trafficking and a state's export rate."
The study has generated varied responses across Virginia's gun control community.
Josh Horwitz, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, said Virginia's gun restrictions need revision.
"The biggest gap is the gun-show loophole," Horwitz said. "This allows people to go to gun shows and purchase firearms without required background checks or forms."
As governor of Virginia during 1990-94, Doug Wilder instituted stricter state gun regulations. Most famously, in 1993, he passed the "one-gun-a-month" law, which limited the number of firearms that could be acquired by an individual.
A partial repeal of Wilder's law was proposed this year because individuals who are in favor of stricter gun control "cannot prove that guns purchased at gun shows are used in crime," said Del. Bob Marshall, R-Loudoun County. One of the cosponsor's of the ultimately unsuccessful bill, Marshall said most of the guns used in crimes are actually stolen from people's homes.
"The sales from gun shows are not any appreciable amount of subsequent illegal acts involving guns," he said.
Nevertheless, the MAIG report stated that it is common for states with more lenient gun laws to be the source of the guns recovered in out-of-state crimes. The study, which examined 10 specific gun laws concerning sale, distribution and possession regulations, found that Virginia has only four of the 10 laws identified to suppress illegal gun trafficking best.
"Virginia needs to enact a comprehensive set of anti gun-trafficking laws," Horwitz said. Bills have been introduced in the past to enact more of these laws, but the General Assembly has prevented them from passing, Horwitz said.
"It could pass in the Senate; Speaker Howell needs to show some leadership and get this through the House," Horwitz said.
Marshall said he believes these findings will inspire new gun legislation in the state but that he is confident they will not pass.
Horwitz, however, emphasized just how urgent he believed this situation to be.
"Virginia guns are killing people at an astonishing rate in Virginia and, now we know, around the country," Horwitz said. "And that's just unacceptable"
Read More
U.Va. researchers identify that HIV drugs can protect against Alzheimer’s disease
By Lauren Seeliger | YesterdayDoctor Jayakrishna Ambati and his research team have begun work on a new drug called K9 which could treat and prevent Alzheimer’s.
Graduating students share their future plans as they enter the job market
By Nina Broderick | 3 days agoMany students find the Career Center to be a valuable tool during the job search and application process.
U.Va.’s Finals Weekend spotlights the achievement and service of the Class of 2025
By Leigh Bailey | 4 days agoIn University President Jim Ryan’s welcome address, he acknowledged the support of family members and friends present in the audience and beyond that played supportive roles in these graduates’ lives.
