House of Delegates Kills Senate Bill Allowing Carrying Concealed During Worship Services

Yesterday, the House of Delegates effectively killed SB372, a bill that repeals the statutory prohibition on carrying a gun, pistol, bowie knife, dagger, or other dangerous weapon, without "good and sufficient reason" to a place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes.  This bill simply freed churches to make their own decisions on security 24 hours a day, while current law limits options during a service.  SB372 was left in committee on the last day to hear legislation before the end of the Session, which is Saturday.   SB372 had passed the Senate while a companion House bill was killed earlier in the Session after it was re-referred to committee from the House floor just before Crossover.  The State Senate is considered to be more "moderate" than the House, even with the House GOP majority being greatly reduced after last year's election, yet this bill was approved (along party lines) in the Senate.

As noted in an earlier post, word is, Democrats intend to reverse former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's opinion that self-defense is a "good and sufficient reason" to carry in a church during a regularly scheduled service.