Various bills take a shot
for and against gun control
Bills that would restrict
and loosen gun-control laws in Virginia are butting heads in the General
Assembly, according to The
Washington Post.
On the one hand, a Senate
bill up for debate would allow guns in public facilities, and a House
bill would repeal laws restricting concealed weapons in places that
serve alcohol.
On the other side, a bill
being considered by the Senate Courts and Justice Committee would
allow Fairfax County to keep guns out of county buildings. The bill
would for people with concealed weapons permits and for law enforcement
officers.
The House of Delegates
already has killed a bill barring guns from Fairfax County buildings.
That bill resembled the Senate proposal but without
the exceptions.
Bond package advances,
but without money for schools
The General Assembly is
a step closer to passing a $1.6 billion bond package for state colleges,
universities and parks, according to the Richmond
Times-Dispatch.
Following the Senate's
lead, the House yesterday gave tentative approval to issuing general
obligation bonds for higher education and parks and recreation. The
package would require approval by Virginia voters in November.
Democrats wanted the bond
plan to include money for public schools, but the Republican-controlled
House defeated that proposal, The
Virginian-Pilot reported.
Thou shall post the Ten
Commandments? Some say no
A bill letting public schools
post the Ten Commandments drew opposition yesterday from the American
Jewish Council, the Virginia Education Association and the American
Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, according to the Richmond
Times-Dispatch.
The groups argue that displaying
the Ten Commandments violates the Constitution's separation of church
and state.
Debate on the bill will
continue today in the full House.
Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter,
R-Prince William, said the Ten Commandments reflect the laws and values
of society. He wants to allow schools to post the Ten Commandments,
along with the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. and Virginia
constitutions.
Local school boards would
decide whether to display the documents.
