By Kevin Miller

Archives Reprint

    Gun owners would have to leave their firearms at home or in the car when picking up and dropping off people at the airport under legislation passed by the General Assembly on Friday.

    Senate Bill 660 prohibits everyone except law enforcement officers and approved airline employees from carrying a gun, ammunition or certain other weapons into an airport terminal, unless the item is checked with the passenger's luggage.

    The prohibition also would not apply to airline passengers retrieving the item from baggage claim or presenting the gun or ammunition to U.S. Customs agents in advance of an international flight. Violators would be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.

    Current law allows gun owners to carry weapons into the terminal but not past the security checkpoint, although some airports already ban all guns on their property.

    Critics of the legislation fought unsuccessfully to exempt holders of concealed weapons permits. Bill sponsor Sen. Ken Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, and its supporters said the bill was necessary to increase public safety at airports.

    The final version of the bill narrowly passed the House of Delegates on Friday on a 52-44 vote, while the Senate's approval came with a 23-16 vote to engross the bill.

    The measure now heads to Gov. Mark Warner for consideration.

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