RICHMOND -- The Senate voted Monday to approve a bill that would allow individuals without a concealed weapon permit to store guns in a locked glove compartment or briefcase in their cars.

House Bill 1106 had been amended in committee to require that guns stored in a glove box be locked, but the amendment was initially defeated on the Senate floor.

Sen. Ken Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, argued against passing the bill without the amendment, saying it endangered police officers during traffic stops.

"In the 15 years I've been in the Senate, you're getting ready to vote on the bill that probably affects law enforcement more than anything else I've ever seen happen in Virginia," Stolle said. "Anybody -- a drug dealer, anybody -- can carry a concealed weapon in a vehicle and there's no charge that can be placed against them, and they'll be able to take advantage of this law in its current format."

Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, disagreed, saying the bill would only allow individuals the right to keep a gun in the glove compartment.

"The question here is simply are you only going to allow people to only open-carry in their car, or are you going to allow them to also put their handgun in the glove compartment," Obenshain said. "I respectfully submit the passage of this bill will not have any deleterious effect on the safety of law enforcement officers, and that those who pose a hazard to law enforcement officers will be a hazard to them whether this bill passes or not."

The bill died on a 26-14 vote.

However, it was resurrected and the amendment to require locks on glove boxes used to store guns was reattached. The amended bill was then approved on a 23-17 vote.

-- Mason Adams

Senate weighs property rights vs. guns in vehicles

After a debate pitting personal property rights against the right to carry a gun, a Senate committee narrowly voted Monday to approve a bill to allow individuals to store firearms in a locked vehicle.

House Bill 162 generally prohibits businesses or individuals from preventing gun owners from storing their firearms in a locked vehicle.

The bill's sponsor, Del. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William County, said the bill allows individuals to lock their firearms in their cars while in a public parking area.

"The practical application is if you don't guarantee that someone can if fact keep their firearm locked in their car ... what you effectively do is you create a situation where a lawful gun owner has to keep their firearm at home," Lingamfelter said.

Lots where the general public is not allowed to park, designated by gates or signs, are exempted from the legislation.

Opponents of the measure, however, said HB 162 was an affront to private property rights.

"What you're doing clearly is sending the message that private property rights are being trumped," said Tom Lisk, representing the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association.

A Senate subcommittee that evaluated the bill voted 3-1 to recommend it be killed. The full committee, however, voted 8-7 to send the bill to the Senate floor for consideration.

-- Mason Adams

Senate approves bill to lower college text costs

The Senate voted 38-2 Monday to approve legislation aimed at lowering the cost of textbooks for college students.

House Bill 1478 is designed to lower textbook costs by encouraging schools to have faculty adopt books earlier, selling packaged books separately instead of just in a "bundle" with other materials, ensuring faculty know the price of textbooks, limiting the use of new-edition textbooks and placing extra copies in the school library.

Sen. Russ Potts, R-Winchester, said the bill had initially required schools to do these things, but its language was softened to give publishers more leeway and to protect academic freedom.

-- Mason Adams

Senate committee holds 'triggerman' bill for review

The Senate Courts of Justice committee sent a bill to change the "triggerman" law back to the Virginia Crime Commission, effectively putting it off until next year.

House Bill 782 would eliminate the "triggerman" rule, which allows only the actual perpetrator of a murder to be eligible for the death penalty.

The bill, which was passed out of the House, would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for certain accomplices, such as gang leaders.

The Senate committee, however, has a policy that if a crime-related bill hasn't been evaluated by the Virginia Crime Commission, the committee will refer bills there.

HB 782's sponsor, Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah County, said he didn't have a problem with that, and the bill was carried over until 2007 and sent to the Virginia Crime Commission.

-- Mason Adams