>>formatting link
> >> general-mark-herring-delivers-blow-to-gun-rights-
> >> advocates/2015/12/21/d72ce3d0-a821-11e5-9b92-dea7cd4b1a4d_story.html > >>
> >> RICHMOND -- Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D) announced Tuesday that
> >> Virginia will no longer recognize concealed carry handgun permits from 25
> >> states that have reciprocity agreements with the commonwealth. > >>
> >> Under the policy, Virginians with a history of stalking, drug dealing or
> >> inpatient mental-health treatment cannot obtain a permit in a state with
> >> comparatively lax laws and carry a handgun legally at home.
> >>
> >> Herring said severing the out-of-state agreements can prevent people who
> >> may be dangerous or irresponsible from carrying a concealed handgun. > >>
> >> "While you are here, you are subject to the commonwealth's gun laws,"
> >> Herring said in a news conference. The change means Virginia's standards
> >> for obtaining a concealed weapon are applied "evenly, consistently and
> >> fairly," he said.
> >>
> >> The move is part of a broader effort by gun control advocates to tighten
> >> restrictions without going through GOP-controlled legislatures. > >>
> >> Virginia Republicans reacted angrily to Herring's action, accusing him of
> >> politicizing his office to erode Second Amendment gun rights. > >>
> >> "Unfortunately, I have little doubt as to his true motivations," Virginia
> >> House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) said. "Mark Herring
> >> consistently seeks to interpret and apply the law of the commonwealth
> >> through the lens of his own personal, political opinions. He is damaging
> >> the integrity of the office he holds."
> >>
> >> Herring's action amplified a heated debate in Virginia and around the
> >> country in the wake of rampant gun violence. It is also in keeping with
> >> his embrace of liberal issues as he seeks a second term.
> >>
> >> A former state senator, Herring gained a national profile for refusing to
> >> defend Virginia's same-sex marriage ban and followed up with rulings
> >> siding with advocates for abortion rights and immigration reform. > >>
> >> Del. Robert B. Bell III (R-Albemarle), a former state prosecutor, is the
> >> only declared Republican challenging him in 2017.
> >>
> >> "This is another Washington-style overreach from a nakedly partisan
> >> attorney general," Bell said. "Instead of doing the job he was elected to
> >> do, Mark Herring continues to put the political goals of his liberal
> >> supporters ahead of sound legal judgement."
> >>
> >> Gun rights advocates have criticized Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Herring and
> >> other Democrats for insisting on stronger gun laws after mass shootings > >> in
> >> which the assailants obtained their weapons legally or suffered from
> >> mental illness.
> >>
> >> In October, McAuliffe banned firearms in state buildings, earning a > >> rebuke
> >> from the National Rifle Association.
> >>
> >> This year, Herring's office began a review of reciprocity agreements
> >> Virginia has with 30 other states. Attorneys discovered that 25 of those
> >> states had concealed handgun permit regulations that were weaker than
> >> Virginia's.
> >>
> >> "That circumvents and undermines Virginia law," Herring said. "And it has
> >> meant that individuals the General Assembly has specifically disqualified
> >> because of their past conduct still have a path to getting a concealed
> >> handgun permit."
> >>
> >> The State Police superintendent accepted Herring's recommendation to > >> sever
> >> agreements with those states, effective Feb. 1.
> >>
> >> The states are: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho,
> >> Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana,
> >> Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
> >> South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin and > >> Wyoming.
> >>
> >> Agreements will remain with West Virginia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and > >> Utah.
> >>
> > Does Virginia actually have a serious problem with concealed carry permit
> > holders from Idaho, North Dakota and Ohio going to Virginia to commit > > mayhem?
>
> No, and I would question whether the AG has the authority to arbitrarily and
> unilaterally nullify state law.
>
> Indeed, I suspect anyone that is harmed by his actions may well have a very
> good lawsuit against the man, both personally and professionally.
But, attornies general are elected by the people to present that, not you.