RICHMOND, Va. - Senate Democrats have found a way to block passage of several bills to loosen the state's gun laws.
Senate Courts of Justice Committee Chairman Henry Marsh on Monday announced the creation of a subcommittee to handle bills concerning guns and other issues. The subcommittee is stacked with four anti-gun Democrats and one Republican.
Democrats hold a 10-5 majority in the full committee, but at least three party members regularly vote with Republicans on pro-gun legislation. That means bills such as repealing Virginia's one-gun-a-month law and allowing guns in restaurants that sell alcohol likely would have passed without creation of the subcommittee.
Republicans complained, saying allowing the subcommittee to kill bills would be "contrary to our traditions."
