Press Release
Statement Of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling On Executive Order 50
Monday, April 30, 2007
Richmond - Earlier today, Governor Tim Kaine announced that he had issued Executive Order 50, instructing all executive branch agencies to immediately begin including the names of individuals found dangerous and ordered to undergo involuntary mental health treatment in the database accessed before the sale of firearms by licensed gun dealers to ineligible individuals. In response to this announcement Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement:
"I applaud the Governor's decision to close this obvious loophole in current state law by Executive Order. No one who has been determined by a responsible judicial authority to be mentally ill and a threat to themselves or others should be allowed to purchase a gun.
"Unfortunately, the recent tragic shootings at Virginia Tech vividly revealed that Virginia's current laws in this regard are inadequate and must be revised. By requiring that this information be reported to the appropriate federal authorities, and included in the Central Criminal Records Exchange, we can lessen the chance of this happening again in the future.
"However, the ultimate solution to this problem must come in the form of legislation considered and approved by the General Assembly. I am currently working with the Division of Legislative Services to draft such legislation for consideration during the 2008 legislative session."
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For additional information contact Randy Marcus at 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov.
