ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 1, 1997 TAG: 9703030016
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
NINE DAYS ago, one teen-ager was killed and another injured in a shooting in a Richmond city park. At about the same time elsewhere in Virginia's capital city, the House of Delegates was killing a measure, requested by Richmond officials, that would have authorized a ban on guns in the city's parks.
Richmond City Manager Robert Bobb used a rhetorical question to voice his frustration: How can state legislators expect cities to provide for the public safety, he asked, when they don't provide tools to prevent crime?
It's a frustration with which Roanoke city officials can sympathize. They, too, have sought legislation to ban guns in city parks here, and have been turned down by the General Assembly.
Bobb's question is a good one. State lawmakers, including the 100 delegates whose seats are up for re-election this year, should try to answer it - if they can.
They should also try to explain their inconsistency in this matter. Guns are banned from state parks. Why not city parks, closer to the city streets where gun-toting trouble-makers are more likely to be wandering?
And while they're at it, the legislators should tell the public just how far they plan to go in loosening the laws governing concealed weapons.
This year, the General Assembly made it easier for Virginians to carry concealed firearms by extending from two years to five years the period for which concealed-gun permits are valid.
The assembly also declared that the commonwealth will recognize as valid in Virginia concealed-weapons permits issued by other states. Roanoke Del. Clifton ``Chip'' Woodrum called this ``the Vinnie from Toledo bill'' - not far off the mark, in that it's an invitation for criminals from other states to visit here without concern they might have to leave their guns at home.
State lawmakers talk a good game about being tough on crime. They have a lot of explaining to do when it comes to actions that ensure more guns will be in the hands of more people, those with a criminal bent included.
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB