Virginia’s gun-rights activists scored a key victory Thursday for one of their top legislative priorities of 2012 as Virginia Republicans move to flex their new authority in the General Assembly.
The Senate passed a bill Thursday that exonerates gun owners from civil suits if they, in the act of defending their home, injure or kill an intruder. Republicans said the measure would eliminate frivolous lawsuits in which would-be intruders sue homeowners trying to protect their property.
“It eliminates the worry that you will be sued for defending yourself or your family,” said Sen. Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland.
Democrats said the measure was unnecessary because the so-called “Castle doctrine,” which protects homeowners in such circumstancs, already exists in common law.
“We often claim we’re immunizing, we’re protecting people,” said Sen. Don McEachin, D-Henrico. “All this bill does is set up a jury instruction.”
Meanwhile, the House of Delegates voted earlier to lift the state’s one-handgun-a-month restriction, another important victory for the state’s National Rifle Association affiliate. Similar bills died in previous years when Democrats controlled the Senate.
