Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 2020)
B4 THE ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 Virginia lawmakers reject assault weapon ban By ALAN SUDERMAN Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Vir- ginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s push to ban the sale of assault weapons failed on Monday after some of his fellow Democrats balked at the proposal. Senators voted to shelve the bill for the year and ask the state crime commission to study the issue, an out- come that drew cheers from a committee room packed with gun advocates. Four moderate Demo- crats joined Republicans in Monday’s committee vote, rejecting legislation that would have prohibited the sale of certain semiauto- matic fi rearms, including popular AR-15 style rifl es, and banned the possession of magazines that hold more than 12 rounds. The bill was a top prior- ity for Northam, who has campaigned heavily for a broad package of gun-con- trol measures. The gover- nor’s spokeswoman, Alena Yarmosky, said he’s disap- pointed with the result but determined to continue to press for the measure. “We will be back next year,” she said. David Majure, a gun- rights supporter who attended the committee hearing, said he’s glad about Monday’s results but not convinced the bill is dead for the year. “I’m happy about it, but I don’t trust them,” he said. Virginia is the current epicenter of the country’s heated debate over guns, as a new Democratic major- ity seeks to enact strict new limits. Democrats ran heavily on gun control during last year’s legislative elections when they fl ipped control of the General Assembly for the fi rst time in more than two decades. But gun owners, espe- cially in rural communities, have pushed back hard. Last month, tens of thousands of guns-rights activists from around the country fl ooded Steve Helber/AP Photo Pro gun demonstrators holding signs in front of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. the Capitol and surrounding area in protest, some don- ning tactical gear and car- rying military rifl es. And more than 100 counties, cit- ies and towns have declared themselves Second Amend- ment sanctuaries, vowing to oppose any new “uncon- stitutional restrictions” on guns. The proposed assault weapon ban has received the most opposition. Gun own- ers have accused the gov- ernor and others of want- ing to confi scate commonly owned guns and accessories from law-abiding gun own- ers. Northam and his allies have said repeatedly they do not want to confi scate guns, but argued that banning new sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines ‘THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT DEFINITIONS IN THIS BILL. DEFINITIONS DO MATTER.’ Democratic Sen. Creigh Deeds would help prevent mass murders. “This bill will save lives,” said Democratic Del. Mark Levine, who sponsored the legislation. Earlier proposals to ban possession of AR-15-style rifl es or to require owners to register them with state police have been scrapped. The governor had hoped a watered-down version would win over enough Democratic moderates for passage. But moderate Democrats in the state Senate have said for weeks they are uncom- fortable passing legislation that would affect so many current gun owners. An estimated 8 million AR-style guns have been sold since they were intro- duced to the public in the 1960s. The weapons are known as easy to use, easy to clean and easy to mod- ify with a variety of scopes, stocks and rails. Lawmakers voted to table the bill Monday with little debate, while not- ing that there was confu- sion over what types of guns would constitute an assault weapon. “There are obviously a lot of questions about defi ni- tions in this bill. Defi nitions do matter,” said Democratic Sen. Creigh Deeds. The Senate has now rejected three of the gover- nor’s eight gun-control mea- sures. Moderate Democrats have already voted with Republicans to kill a bill that would make it a felony to “recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured fi rearm” in a way that endangers a minor, and a bill that would require gun owners to report the loss or theft of a gun to police. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have already advanced several other gun-control measures and should fi nalize pas- sage in the coming days. Those bills include limiting handgun purchases to once a month; universal back- ground checks on gun pur- chases; allowing localities to ban guns in public buildings, parks and other areas; and a red fl ag bill that would allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from anyone deemed to be dangerous to themselves or others. Classifieds Searching for Employees? PLACE YOUR JOB POSTING HERE Special Includes: • 2 Weeks in Print & Online • Logo Included • Facebook Boost • Featured Advertising Call Brittany at 800-781-3211 or 503-325-3212 GARAGE SALE SELL YOUR VEHICLE HERE! SEASON IS HERE! If it Drives or Floats... ONLY $ 25 $ 49.95 ys for 3 da Call 800.781.3211 or 503-325-3212 to advertise today! 184 Personals 201 Antique & Classic Vehicles 28th Annual Astoria Automotive Swap Meet Vendors Wanted Clatsop Fairgrounds Saturday March 14th. 8am-2pm Contact Fred 503-440-9481 Dorothy 503-468-0006 “Searching for you” 57 year old hard working man seeking someone who likes these words. Friendship, respect, adventure, laughter, love, loyalty, soul mate, fairy tales and rainbows. Call or text Kevin (503)440-6693 Go. Do. SPECIALTY SERVICES coastweekend.com W E URGE YOU TO PATRONIZE THE LOCAL PROFESSIONALS ADVERTISING IN T HE A STORIAN S PECIALTY S ERVICES . T O PLACE YOUR S PECIALTY S ERVICES AD , CALL 325-3211. CLASSIFIED ADS work hard for you. Try one today! dining • the arts • music shopping • museums • classes • movies gardening • news • blogs • more Want to place a classified ad but unsure how? Call 503-325-3211 and let us help you! ADVERTISE TODAY 800.781.3211 or 503-325-3212 If it doesn’t sell in two weeks We will give you two weeks for FREE! 216 Vans 1989 Chevrolet G30 Van No leaks, responsible owner used for camping and hunting only a few times. Everything works inside. Need to make room & sacrifice the “fun house”. Located in Jewell. Runs great, there are a few things that need TLC. $1200. Call 9712959712 ERROR AND CANCELLATIONS Please read your ad on the first day. If you see an error, The Astorian will gladly re-run your ad correctly. We accept responsibility for the first incorrect insertion, and then only to the extent of a corrected insertion or refund of the price paid. To cancel or correct an ad, call 503-325-3211. A small town newspaper with a global outlook One of the Pacific Northwest’s great small newspapers www.dailyastorian.com
