US News
VA Gov. Closes Loophole on Gun Sales
CBNNews.com
April 30, 2007
CBNNews.com - Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has closed the loophole in state law that allowed the Virginia Tech gunman to buy the guns he used to kill 32 people.
Anyone found to be dangerous and ordered to undergo involuntary mental health treatment must be included in a database of people who are prohibited from buying guns, according to the governor's executive order.
Seun-Hui Cho had been ordered by a court in 2005 to undergo psychiatric counseling after a judge ruled that he was a danger to himself. But Cho did not disclose his mental health problems when buying the guns.
Because Cho was treated as an out-patient and never committed to a mental health hospital, his name did not appear on the database gun dealers must check before selling a firearm.
"His lie on the form would have been caught" had the order been in place before, Kaine said.
The order does not apply to people who voluntarily seek mental health care. After the report is added to the state police database, it becomes part of a federal database gun dealers use nationwide.
It would not prevent Cho from acquiring guns by other means that do not require a background check, including buy-and-trade publications, individual sales among collectors, and gun shows.
Source: Associated Press
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