House Approves Concealed Firearms In Restaurants

The House of Delegates passed legislation yesterday that could result in more concealed handguns in restaurants, bars and vehicle glove compartments.

The House voted 62 to 36 to pass legislation that would allow holders of concealed-weapons permits to carry hidden firearms into restaurants or clubs as long as they didn't drink alcohol while doing so. Under existing law, guns must be visible when carried into restaurants.

The head of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control told a House committee this week that the administration opposes the bill, which did not pass by the two-thirds majority required to override a veto.

Gordon Hickey, a spokesman for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), said the governor would have to review the details of the bill before deciding whether to veto it.

Del. C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) said restaurant patrons have nothing to fear from legally armed fellow diners.

-- Associated Press

Senate Panel Rejects Delay In HPV Vaccination Program

A Senate committee rejected legislation yesterday to postpone mandatory vaccinations of sixth-grade girls against a virus that can cause cervical cancer.

The Education and Health Committee voted 10 to 5 to kill a bill by Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) to delay the mandate from this fall until fall 2010.

Marshall said the state should wait until more is known about the vaccine's side effects. Opponents of the mandate also have argued that the inoculation could promote promiscuity because the human papillomavirus, or HPV, is spread through sexual contact.

Colleen Kraft of the American Academy of Pediatrics said that parents can opt out of the mandate and that girls who have been vaccinated have shown no side effects.

-- Associated Press