Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement after the Virginia General Assembly today upheld Governor Tim Kaines vetoes of bills that would have allowed easy access to guns in cars and also loaded, hidden handguns in bars: All of the volunteers, and the Virginia Tech family members, and the sensible elected officials who fought hard to defeat these measures are proud of Governor Kaines veto, and proud of the Virginia Senate for upholding that veto.  Governor Kaine took the reasonable and principled high road, and said theres no need for a law allowing loaded, hidden handguns into places where alcohol is served, and theres no reason to put police officers lives at risk by letting unlicensed people have easy access to guns inside their cars close enough to reach. Common sense prevailed today.  We congratulate the Governor for doing the right thing, and we applaud the Senate for letting his decision stand.    

As the nation’s largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies.  The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.  

Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.  For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke’s blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/.