With Virginia Veto, Domestic Violence Victims Could Fall Through The Cracks

On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe proved he considers domestic violence victims a greater danger than violent criminal abusers when he vetoed HB 766. The measure would have given temporary carry permits to any law-abiding citizen over 21 granted a protective order. If they wished to continue carrying past the original 45-day period, their application for a standard concealed-carry permit would add an additional 45 days to cover permit processing time. 

McAuliffe’s veto stems from his belief that victims should have to undergo training courses before being allowed to carry a firearm for self-defense. But what if the courses are all full, or only offered during times the victim is unavailable? If a person leaves an abuser with only the clothes on their back, will they be able to pay for a training course—or afford to take time off work to attend one? 

For the sake of the most vulnerable among us, we hope the House and Senate will override this dangerous and wrongheaded veto.