Virginia governor vetoes gun bills

RICHMOND, Va., March 4 (UPI) -- Legislation allowing Virginia motorists to carry a gun will have to become law without Gov. Timothy Kaine's signature, it was reported Tuesday.

The Democratic governor has vowed not to sign the bill to allow Virginians to carry a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle as long as it's locked in a glove box or container, The Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch reported.

But the proposal may still become law since it was approved by veto-proof margins in the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate.

In a written statement, Kaine said the bill "presents a danger to our law enforcement officers, who risk their lives for Virginians on a daily basis while patrolling our commonwealth's roads and highways."

A second gun bill not being signed by the governor is a proposal that would permit people in Virginia to carry concealed weapons into restaurants that serve alcohol, the newspaper reported.

"Allowing concealed weapons in restaurants and bars that serve alcohol puts the public, the employees and our public safety officers at risk," Kaine said.