Creigh Deeds has been the Delegate for the 18th District of Virginia since 1992, with an office in Hot Springs.

His record in the House on gun legislation has been pretty consistently "pro-gun," and has earned him an "A" rating from the NRA. Now seeking the Senate seat for the newly-drawn 25th District, he's going to have some 'splainin' to do in the more suburban and pro-regulation precincts of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Here's some legislation that he has co-sponsored in recent years:

HB 2658 would remove the prohibition on taking a concealed handgun into a restaurant that serves alcohol. In a series of votes, Del. Deeds has supported the intent of this measure.

HB 1969 sought to prevent localities from regulating guns by policy or ordinance. It was drafted in response to an opinion (by then Attorney General Gilmore) endorsing a series of actions by localities to keep guns out of government buildings like municipal recreation centers. Del. Deeds consistently supported the intent of this bill.

Most prominently, Creigh Deeds was the sponsor of the constitutional amendment guaranteeing Virginians the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game. It provided for a referendum at the November 7, 2000 election to approve or reject the addition to the Conservation Article of a statement that "the people have a right to hunt, fish, and harvest game, subject to such regulations and restrictions as the General Assembly may prescribe by general law."

To many, the need for such an addition to the constitution seemed slight. Frivolous parallel amendments were discussed protecting for example, the right to shop, or the right to play golf.

More seriously, there was concern that local rules in towns and cities prohibiting hunting within their borders might be undermined by the Hunting & Fishing amendment. Or that it could be used to get around protective orders that prohibit people who have committed domestic violence or stalking from purchasing or carrying guns.

In 1998, Deeds was in fact a co-sponsor of HB 436, which "Prohibits the possession of a firearm by a person convicted of stalking, sexual battery, or family member assault and battery, on a first conviction, for five years, and on a second or subsequent conviction, permanently." It failed. But this is probably why he only has an "A" from the NRA, and not an "A+."

We've tried to get his comments on this legislative record and on gun issues in general, but he has been (understandably) very busy lately, and has not been able to respond. (Dave Sagarin, November 8, 2001)