RICHMOND, Jan. 25 — The state Senate all but guaranteed on Wednesday that Virginia will hold a November referendum on whether to amend its 230-year-old Bill of Rights to bar same-sex marriages.
The Senate voted 28 to 11 to follow the House of Delegates in approving the amendment. Though each chamber still must pass the measure adopted by the other, their wording is identical and support among the senators and delegates is strong.
“The family is the foundation of our society, and it’s been based on a union of a man and a woman since the inception of marriage,” said Del. John A. Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake). “A constitutional amendment . . . will protect that.”
RICHMOND, Jan. 26 — A Virginia lawmaker accidentally discharged a handgun in his General Assembly office Thursday morning, firing a bullet into a bulletproof vest that was hanging on the wall of his office. No one was hurt.
Del. John S. “Jack” Reid (R-Henrico) apologized to his colleagues on the floor of the House of Delegates Thursday afternoon, saying that “everyone has a right to feel safe here.”
Reid said he has a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon and regularly brings his gun to the legislative session. But he said he usually ejects the cartridge that holds the gun’s bullets and carries that separately in his pocket.
Virginia, you’re in great hands.
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