Although unrelated to lawmaking, one of the biggest headlines from the 2006 Legislative Session of the General Assembly has been the accidental firing of the gun of Del. John S. Reid, R-Henrico, on Jan. 26. Reid was unloading his .380 caliber Kel-Tec pistol in his office when the shot was fired. The bullet struck a bullet-proof vest that was hanging on the door of his office, and no one was injured.
Reid's accident did not incite any efforts in the General Assembly to change the Virginia law that allows an individual to bring a weapon into state buildings as long as he or she holds a concealed weapon permit. Nine other states have similar laws, and attempts to ban guns in Virginia state buildings have failed in recent years. Some students said they hoped this would change.
"I think it's important to regulate guns in statehouses and courthouses," fourth-year College student Sam Jonas said. "Regulating the circulation of handguns and all assault weapons should be a priority."
Second-year College student Wyatt Fore said he did not see a reason to carry a gun into a state building.
"The whole point of legislation is peaceful debate, not to use violence," Fore said. "The fact that they're allowed to have weapons symbolically goes against legislative beliefs."
Jonas said he cited this example as another reason to control guns nationwide.
"The number of murders in the U.S. compared with the rest of the world is astronomical," Jonas said. "I blame mostly the availability of guns."
Guns previously were allowed in the Virginia Capitol buildings without a concealed weapon permit, but in 2004, senior legislators in charge of making rules for the Capitol grounds changed the policy so a permit was required.
Reid made an uncharacteristic appearance in front of the Democratic caucus to apologize. He also voiced regret to the GOP Caucus and on the floor of the House of Delegates.
Though he said he praised Reid's apology, Gov. Timothy Kaine said the legislature needs to reconsider the presence of guns in state buildings.
First-year Engineering student Jack Wilson said Reid was doing nothing wrong legally by carrying the gun since Reid holds a concealed weapon permit.
"The law's the law," Wilson said. "Whether or not they should change the law is dependent upon there being a need to carry a gun."
Reid told reporters last Thursday that he carried the gun in self-defense.
"All of us get calls that concern you sometimes," Reid said. "I'd just rather leave it at that"
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