NATIONAL GUN BILL GETS HELP FROM VA. DELEGATION

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 8, 1993                   TAG: 9303080060
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium
NATIONAL GUN BILL GETS HELP FROM VA. DELEGATION
Following the state legislature's passage of a one-handgun-a-month limit, Virginia's congressional delegation is being asked to support a national version of the bill.
Rep. Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., said Virginia's stand against gunrunning "will give enormous impetus" to the bid for a parallel bill at the national level.
"If the Virginia legislature had the courage to face this problem internally . . . there's no reason why the federal government can't muster the same courage for some of us to help our own states."
Rep. James Moran, D-Alexandria, a co-sponsor of Torricelli's bill, said the bill's passage would not be easy. He said some lawmakers whose support normally might be expected will fear the one-handgun-a-month limit might compromise the so-called Brady bill to establish a handgun waiting period.
"I don't see it as a compromise but a complement," Moran said.
Also among the 18 co-sponsors of the Torricelli bill are Reps. Robert C. Scott, D-Newport News, and Herbert Bateman, R-Newport News.
Virginia's action "gives a lot of momentum to gun control legislation" in Washington, Scott said.
Bateman believes a federal one-handgun-a-month limit is needed because gun-trafficking occurs across state lines and "it is the responsibility of Congress to regulate interstate commerce."
Torricelli hopes to win over other Virginia lawmakers in the upcoming weeks.
Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, said Virginia law provides for an instant background check on firearms purchasers and "that's as far as I believe government should go."
Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, a gun-control opponent, said he hasn't had a chance to examine Torricelli's bill.
A spokesman for Rep. Bob Goodlatte said the 6th District Republican opposes any limits on the number of guns a law-abiding citizen can purchase.
Undecided or reserving judgment on the bill were Reps. Frank Wolf, R-Fairfax County, and Owen B. Pickett, D-Virginia Beach.
Rep. Norman Sisisky, D-Petersburg, said lawmakers should first see if the Virginia measure works. Rep. Thomas Bliley, R-Richmond, said if the national bill is identical to Virginia's he would neither oppose it nor campaign for it.
Rep. Leslie L. Byrne, D-Fairfax, likely would support the measure because she's a strong advocate of handgun control, an aide said.
Across Capitol Hill, Republican Sen. John Warner and Democratic Sen. Charles Robb are involved in talks over drafting legislation to set a one-handgun-a-month limit at the national level.
There is at least one difference between Virginia's legislation and the House bill.
The measure approved by the General Assembly Feb. 26 permits people to buy additional handguns for business or personal use if they pass a state police screening.
Under Torricelli's bill, an exception to buy more handguns may be given only to someone who obtains a signed statement from the local chief law enforcement officer and who faces an emergency situation such as a threat to his life or a family member's life.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB