Legislation prohibiting gun owners from consuming alcohol while carrying a gun swept through a Senate committee Wednesday without opposition.
Fourteen lawmakers on the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted for Senate Bill 1395, sponsored by Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, with Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, abstaining.
Currently, gun owners carrying firearms openly may consume alcohol, but people carrying concealed handguns may not consume alcohol. It is also against the law to be intoxicated while carrying a gun.
The bill was something of a legislative response to a recently enacted law allowing concealed handgun permit holders to bring their hidden firearms into restaurants that serve alcohol, provided they didn't drink.
If approved by the full Senate, the bill heads to the House of Delegates, where it is likely to die in the Republican-controlled Militia and Police subcommittee.
The Courts of Justice Committee also approved Senate Bills 1047 and 1042, sponsored by Sen. George L. Barker, D-Fairfax, that make use of cellphones while driving by teens with provisional licenses, and texting while driving by any motorist, a primary offense.
Currently, police may issue tickets only if they pull over a driver for another offense.
Senators also passed a bill to address innocent-bystander fatalities resulting from police pursuits. Senate Bill 762, sponsored by Sen. Linda T. "Toddy" Puller, D-Fairfax, would require emergency vehicles to turn on their sirens and lights when proceeding through an intersection with a stop sign or red light.
The legislation now heads to the full Senate.
jnolan@timesdispatch.com
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