ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: MONDAY, October 16, 1995                   TAG: 9510160063
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHAT'S THE ANSWER TO GUN CONTROL?

``A) Do you think the recently passed personal self-protection law setting very strict requirements for concealed-weapon permits will better enable a law-abiding citizen to protect himself and his family against criminals? B) Or do you think further curtailing private gun ownership is the ultimate answer to controlling violent crime? C) And how do you interpret the Second Amendment regarding private ownership of firearms?''

Richard K. Culbertson, Blacksburg

The background:

The General Assembly's change of the concealed-weapon permit process was one of the most contentious issues of last winter's session. On one side were those who said the bill would prevent judges from making arbitrary permit decisions based on personal connections or preferences. On the other were those who said the bill would increase dramatically the number of people packing pistols, increase danger for police officers and contribute to a climate of fear. State Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, was an outspoken opponent.

The General Assembly's role:

In 1993, the General Assembly passed the one-handgun-a-month limit in the final year of the administration of Democratic Gov. Douglas Wilder, a high-water mark for gun-control efforts in Virginia. This year, with Republican Gov. George Allen in office, the pendulum swung the other way with the law to remove judges' discretion in issuing concealed-weapon permits.

The answers:

The question was directed to the candidates for the state Senate seat representing Montgomery, Grayson and Smyth counties, Galax, southern Pulaski County and northern Carroll County.

Sen. Madison Marye (D): ``A) The debate over carrying concealed weapons has nothing to do with private ownership of guns for protection in one's home and for hunting. The law is about taking guns onto the streets and into business establishments where everyone is potentially affected. While there are some excellent features in the new concealed-weapon law, it is more liberal than the old law in that the requirement to establish a need to carry such a weapon has been eliminated. The individual seeking the permit should be required to show that he or she has received adequate training in the safe handling and firing of the weapon they plan to use.

"Florida passed a liberalized concealed-weapon bill in 1987. In 1993, firearms were the No.1 cause of injury deaths in Florida - 2,229 people died of gunshots. We don't want this to happen in Virginia.

"B) No.

"C) I believe in an individual's right to own firearms. As to the exact interpretation of the Second Amendment, I leave that to the courts.

Pat Cupp (R): ``A) It is my understanding that the new concealed-weapon law recognizes the right of mentally competent law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon rather than requiring them to provide a reason. This law also has very strict requirements for a permit to be granted.

"Studies have shown that criminals fear armed citizens more than they fear the police or the courts. This is especially true of professional burglars, who are terrified of people who have firearms in their homes.

"B) Therefore, I believe the new law, though not perfect, will allow a law-abiding citizen to protect his or her family from the criminal element. Criminals will continue to obtain firearms illegally, and to further curtail private gun ownership would tip the scales in their favor.

"C) The Second Amendment gives individuals the right to own and use firearms, just as the First Amendment gives citizens the right of free speech. If we require individuals to give a reason to own a firearm, then how far away are we from a government that requires a reason for exerting our freedom of speech?''

Also on the record:

Cupp seemed on the offensive on this issue until last week's controversy over a campaign flier quoting him as invoking the historical lesson of the rise of Nazism in 1930s Germany to explain why he opposes any gun control. He apologized for the flier after outcries from Lt. Gov. Don Beyer and the state Democratic Party. Marye has stood by his objection to the new law.

Got a question for the candidates? Send it to Citizens' Agenda, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010, or fax it to 981-3346, or e-mail dyanceyinfi.net. Please include your name, address and daytime phone number, and specify which candidates your question is for.

Keywords:
POLITICS 


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