The Reading Blog

The New York Times 10/21/2009 editorial, “Virginia and Gun Control” tipped me off to the results of a recent political survey conducted in Virginia by the Christopher Newport University (CNU) Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy for The Virginian-Pilot, WVEC-TV, and CNU. Results form the survey were reported by Bill Bartel in the article, “Tighten Gun Rules, Most Virginians Say in Poll” (published in The Virginian-Pilot, 10/18/2009). Bartel reports that,

Most Virginians say they want to close the so-called gun show loophole that permits some gun sales without criminal background checks, and they dislike the notion of someone carrying a concealed firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted by Christopher Newport University’s Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy, found that eight of every 10 likely voters interviewed wanted to change a state law that allows someone to buy a firearm from an unlicensed seller at a gun show without first undergoing a criminal background check. If the same sale is between a buyer and a licensed dealer at a show, a background check is required.

Support for closing the loophole was shared by people of all ages and political and ethnic backgrounds – and in all regions of the state, the poll found. Almost 17 percent of those polled said they favor keeping the law as it is. A strong majority of those polled – 68.4 percent – also do not want Virginia to allow people with concealed-weapons permits to bring their firearms into eateries that sell alcohol. More than a quarter of those surveyed – 26.3 percent – disagreed, saying the ban should be lifted.

Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed legislation to legalize the practice but failed to muster the votes to override Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s veto. In his veto message in March, Kaine noted the objection of law enforcement officials to the bill, saying it “puts the public, the employees and our public safety officers at risk.” [...]

As The New York Times editorial concluded, “[...] Those latest newspaper poll results show the people are speaking. Too bad politicians are not listening.”