Editorial: Politicizing Tech

Virginia's political leadership rose to the occasion in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech massacre. The bloodletting occurred while Gov. Tim Kaine was headed toward a trade mission to India; he immediately returned to a grieving commonwealth and gave an address at Blacksburg that soothed wounded hearts.

Kaine worked with Attorney General Bob McDonnell to close a loophole that made it easier for Seung-Hui Cho legally to purchase two firearms. Cho bought the weapons at a gun shop and passed the standard background checks. The loophole in question related to treatment for mental health.

If an individual undergoes involuntary treatment at an institution, the information goes into the database and should disqualify the person from buying a gun. Involuntary care in an outpatient setting apparently did not appear in databases. It is a felony to sell guns to individuals with certain mental problems. The background check did not alert the seller to Cho's condition. Soon after the discrepancy and confusion came to light, Kaine closed the loophole. McDonnell provided legal advice. The governor, the attorney general, and the General Assembly also cooperated in reforming Virginia's approach to mental health, which Cho's story exposed as deficient. The effort continues. Throughout the process, leaders in both parties have behaved not as Republicans and Democrats but as Virginians.

The 2009 gubernatorial campaign has been sullied by one of the nastiest ads ever. An anti-gun group has linked the massacre, the gun-show loophole, and McDonnell in a clear attempt to undermine the presumptive GOP nominee. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently came to Virginia to lend his support to the cause. Note that we referred to the gun-show loophole. McDonnell helped to close the mental health loophole; he does not endorse closing the so-called gun-show loophole. Cho did not buy his guns at a show. A closed gun-show loophole would not have prevented him from obtaining his weapons.

Gun laws often play crucial roles in Virginia elections. Although the gun-show loophole long has been a topic for debate and has a place on the agenda, adding Tech to the mix crosses the line.

— The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Stafford County Sun editorials represent the opinion of the managing editor. Other columns, letters and cartoons on his page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily the Stafford County Sun.