Bill would allow domestic violence victims to carry concealed guns in Virginia

RICHMOND (WSLS 10) - Some Virginia delegates want to make sure domestic violence victims are able to carry concealed guns to protect themselves from potentially violent situations, but some working with victims say weapons are not always the best choice.

Kimberly Meador, 47, was shot and killed in September in a Bedford County home after several domestic disputes. Three days before she died, Meador had an emergency protective order against her killer, but it didn't help.

According to Delegate Todd Gilbert, a bill in the General Assembly could give domestic violence victims faster access to carry a concealed gun to defend themselves.

"I want to make sure they don't have to wait in line at the court clerk's office to get a concealed carry weapon permit and they have the right to carry concealed more discreetly to protect themselves as they see fit," explained Gilbert.

HB 1852 would allow those with protective orders to carry a concealed handgun after they apply for a permit. Right now, it's illegal to carry concealed handguns until a permit is granted, a process that could take more than a month.

"During the first 72 hours of a protective order being in place that person is in survival mode. She is not going to make good choices," said Linda Ellis Williams.

Linda Ellis-Williams, the director of programs at Lynchburg's YWCA, and others are hoping the bill doesn't pass.

"It's dangerous to put guns in the hands of victims who are in the midst of a crisis. Statistics show that instead of it increasing safety, most victims end up dying with their own weapon. Meaning that the perpetrator or abuser ends up taking the victim's guns and killing the victim," said Ellis-Williams.

Ellis-Williams said she was also a victim of domestic violence and believes a gun may not have been a good choice in her situation.

"When I saw my children being injured, I went into their rage face myself. Thank God it didn't last long and I was able to get my children to leave. But had I had a gun in my hand at that time, things might have looked tremendously different," said Ellis-Williams.

She believes the community should come together with victims to look at alternative ways of keeping them safe instead of using guns.

The same bill was vetoed by Governor Terry McAuliffe last year.

"We wanted to give him the opportunity to rethink his position. The governor's stance with victims of domestic violence should not stand in the way of his political stance and in the way of protecting these vulnerable women," said Ellis-Williams.