Va. Tech victims’ families press senators to back federal bill to close ‘gun show loophole’

Va. Tech victims’ families press for gun show bill

RICHMOND, Va. — Some of the families of students killed and wounded in the mass shooting at Virginia Tech are continuing to press for federal legislation to close the so-called gun show loophole.

In a full-page advertisement in the Richmond-Times Dispatch on Monday, they’re asking Democratic U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner to support a bill that would require private sellers to run background checks on buyers at gun shows. Gun-rights advocates oppose the measure.

The open letter says Webb had told the families he would support requiring such checks. The families also are asking Warner to state his position on the issue. Messages to both senators’ offices weren’t immediately returned Monday.

The letter is signed by relatives of two slain students, and by two injured students and their parents.