by James C. Sherlock
I have a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic handgun in my house for defense against home invasion. Never take it out of the house except to the range.
It is locked up but readily accessible, even in the dark by a 77-year-old.
If my kids were still at home I would still have that loaded gun here, locked up. I would also not be 77.
Virginia Code § 18.2-56.2.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the age of fourteen. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The Virginian-Pilot reports Sen.-elect Jennifer Boysko, D-Herndon, will introduce a new bill:
Boysko said her bill would require unattended firearms to be stored unloaded in a locked device or cabinet in homes with residents under the age of 18, or in homes where there was a reasonable expectation that a minor would be present.
It would also require ammunition to be kept in a separate locked device.
Raising the age from 14 to 18?
It will be controversial, especially in rural areas and among a lot of other gun owners. Camel’s nose under the tent. That sort of thing. And they will be right about the nose part.
But if she wants that provision, I recommend not packaging it with the rest of the changes she proposes.
Ms. Boysko’s new “unloaded” and “separate safes” provisions are a mystery to me. I understand that she is a gun control politician. That is the easy part.
I just wonder how, exactly, I am to respond to a home invasion.
At 77, I cannot be awakened from a sound sleep, unlock two safes, load a magazine into the gun and rack a round into the chamber in the dark at 4 in the morning. Before a home invader has at least inconvenienced us.
Hard to admit, but there it is in print.
That is a 28-year-old SEAL in a movie, not me. I could perhaps complete those tasks in 30 minutes. While making a lot of noise. With the lights on.
But Sen-elect Boysko is certainly younger than I, and perhaps more skilled.
The SEALs are recruiting.
