Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced a legislative proposal to close the gun show loophole in existing laws requiring instant background checks for firearms purchases.

The governor made the announcement standing with family members of students killed or injured in April’s Virginia Tech shootings, as well as legislators and members of the law enforcement community.

"It is long past time to apply existing Virginia law to every firearm sale at a gun show," Kaine said. "It is wrong for felons, or domestic abusers constrained by protective orders, or people with serious mental illnesses who are likely to harm themselves or others to be able to buy a gun, and we must close this loophole."

In 1991, the General Assembly passed a law requiring instant background checks for anyone purchasing any type of firearm from a licensed dealer. The instant, computerized check does not create any permanent record of the transaction.

"I support 2nd Amendment rights, and I believe that Virginia's laws generally strike the right balance of protecting that right, consistent with the demands of public safety," Kaine said. "Most law-abiding gun owners and sellers already go through this process every time they purchase or sell a gun."

Col. W. Gerald Massengill, former superintendent of the Virginia State Police and chairman of the Virginia Tech Review Panel, released a statement in support of the proposed legislation.

"I strongly believe that in today's world of automation there is no excuse for guns to be in the hands of those who are not eligible," Massengill said. "Closing this loophole at point of sale or transfer is a first step to ensure that only eligible individuals have the ability to purchase or possess firearms under Virginia law."