This diary is an interjection of a news item:
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has issued an Executive Order expanding the database of persons prohibited from buying a gun to include those deemed a "danger to others."
There have been concern trolls in here bemoaning how we "lost" the gun control debate after the Virgnia Tech shootings. Well, we "lost" no such thing, in no small part becaiuse we did not lose the Virginia governorship.
Virginia is apparently being very aggressive here. Under this policy, Mr. Cho could not have purchased his guns even though the psychiatrist did not ultimately recommend he be treated involuntarily. The new policy would consider his evaluation and counseling to be sufficient cause.
I expect legal challenges to this. But, I expect the Democrats to win on this issue by staying cool and letting the Republicans hang themsevles here.
There is a simple litmus for anyone who claims to support background checks for firearm purchases: do not support the so-called "gun show loophole." If you support it, then you are a charlatain in terms of background checks.
Loophole that allowed VT shooter to buy guns closed
By BOB LEWIS
Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. — The governor said today he has closed the loophole ...
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine issued an executive order requiring that a database of people who are prohibited from buying guns include anyone found to be dangerous and ordered to undergo involuntary mental health treatment.
Seung-Hui Cho had been ordered by a court to undergo psychiatric counseling after a judge ruled that he was a danger to himself.
But because Cho was treated as an outpatient and never committed to a mental health hospital, the court finding never made it into the database that gun dealers must check before selling a firearm. ...