A vote to ban concealed guns inside the Virginia House of Delegates gallery failed on Wednesday on a 48-49 party-line vote.
Democrat legislators had pushed for the gun ban, but Republicans voted to keep the House of Delegates rules unchanged. Now, I know what you're saying: "You can bring concealed guns into the Virginia state capitol? What about the metal detectors?" Everyone entering the capitol must pass through a metal detector, however, visitors who possess a valid concealed handgun permit are allowed to continue inside with their firearms (as long as they are going to the House side). Democrats argued that the House's rule allowing firearms in the gallery have long put it in conflict with the Senate's rules. In the Senate chambers, visitors in the gallery are not allowed to be in possession of concealed firearms. Wednesday's failed vote means that guests on one side of the capitol building are allowed to be packing, but guests on the other side must disarm.
Delegate Kathleen Murphy (D-Fairfax) argued that legislators were sitting ducks if visitors in the gallery were allowed to carry concealed weapons.
"All it would take is one bad actor,” she said. “Just look behind you and look up. You’re a sitting duck. You never want the enemy above and behind you.”
This comment -- calling citizens interested in observing the legislative process "the enemy" -- sent Republicans into an uproar.
House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) criticized the proposed ban, advocating on behalf of gun owners being able to watch over the governmental process. He also harshly criticized his Democratic colleague suggesting that law-abiding gun owners were "the enemy."
“When we look at those people, we do not see the enemy,” Gilbert said. "We see law-abiding citizens.”
Across the board, concealed carry permit holders are some of the most law-abiding people in society. In nationwide surveys, citizens licensed to carry concealed firearms usually measure more law-abiding on average than police officers themselves.
What do you think? Should visitors to the capitol be allowed to carry firearms? Tell us in the comment section below!
