
McDonnell signs school, campus safety legislation
At an event at Robious Elementary School in Midlothian, Gov. Bob McDonnell today signed 12 pieces of legislation designed to make Virginia’s schools and campuses safer.

At an event at Robious Elementary School in Midlothian, Gov. Bob McDonnell today signed 12 pieces of legislation designed to make Virginia’s schools and campuses safer.

A Manassas woman was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for illegally buying and selling more than 31 handguns in 15 days without a license. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli; U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil MacBride; and Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division Carl Vasilko made the announcement today after Kimberly Yvette Dinkins, 44, was sentenced by United States District Judge Claude M. Hilton.

As the 2013 General Assembly session draws to a close, the overwhelming majority of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s 2013 legislative agenda passed with strong bipartisan support, leading to the passage of the first sustainable and long-term transportation funding and reform package in 27 years, and sweeping K-12 education reforms. The House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia approved 88 percent of the amended bills the governor sent down.

The House Criminal Law Subcommittee voted Wednesday night to kill Arlington Democratic State Sen. Barbara Favola’s bill to protect victims of domestic abuse from gun violence.

Virginians favor many gun control regulations while they think that better enforcement of existing laws is more likely to prevent gun violence. And, they do not blame lax gun laws for mass shootings, according to The Roanoke College Poll. The poll interviewed 583 Virginia residents between Jan. 14 and Jan. 22 and has a margin of error of +/-4.1 percent. Residents were asked a series of questions about guns and gun violence.

A Shenandoah Valley Bloods gang leader was sentenced Wednesday to 53 years in prison for felony gang participation, aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm during the commission of the felony, and cocaine possession. He has also been ordered to pay the victim, a 22-year-old Augusta County man, $3,500 in restitution for medical expenses.

Del. C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) has announced that he has filed House Bill 2277 which would give Virginia school systems more flexibility in how they choose to protect our children in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shooting and other school massacres around the nation.

A Waynesboro Police Department patrol vehicle and another vehicle were involved in a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of West Main Street and Arch Avenue at 7 p.m. Friday.

Republican senators on the Senate Courts of Justice Committee defeated several proposals to reduce gun violence on a party-line vote on Friday. These measures were all backed by substantial majorities of Virginians in recent opinion polls.

The Senate Democratic Caucus announced its legislative priorities and agenda for the 2013 Session on Tuesday.
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