There's an "interesting" juxtaposition of two articles in today's Washington Post Metro section:1) Gun Rights Bills Move Forward in Va. Legislature:
Midway through the Virginia legislative session, the House of Delegates has sent to the state Senate a series of bills that would make it easier for residents to acquire and carry guns, including a measure that would prohibit companies from banning guns in their parking lots.
The parking lot bill, HB 162, is sponsored by our good friend and all-time fave, Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31). The bill is being pushed by the NRA (surprise, surprise) and is being opposed by the Virginia Travel and Hospitality Association, among others. (The Post points out that "Many U.S. businesses have enacted rules banning guns in cars in response to workplace shootings.")
2) Gun Suddenly Fires, Kills Va. Trooper:
A Virginia State Police trooper was fatally shot yesterday when a firearm discharged inside a pickup truck that had crashed on a Clarke County highway, state police officials said.The trooper, who was not identified, was one of two people who were investigating the crash, which occurred about noon on Route 649, about 60 miles west of Washington.
Police officials said that while the damaged truck, a Ford Ranger, was being moved, a weapon discharged and the trooper was hit in the chest. He was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he died at 2:45 p.m.
This is tragic; my condolences to the trooper's family and friends for this avoidable incident. The question of the day is this: in what way does expanding the right for people to carry firearms around in their vehicles make us all safer? On a related note, can anyone remember the last time they read about someone using a firearm to protect themselves or someone else in their vehicle? Just curious. Discuss.