Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) will announce on Friday a deal with Republican lawmakers that will reinstate Virginia’s policy of recognizing concealed carry licenses from most states, the Washington Post reported.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring in December said the state would stop recognizing licenses from 25 states in order to prevent residents who do not qualify for a license in Virginia from obtaining one in a state with fewer restrictions. Virginia does not allow individuals with histories of stalking, dealing drugs or receiving mental health treatment at in patient facilities to obtain licenses, but other states do.
The policy, which was set to go into effect in February, sparked outrage from Republicans in the state.
In exchange for a reversal on concealed carry permit reciprocity from McAuliffe, Republican lawmakers will allow legislation on other gun control issues.
The compromise legislation would allow the state to take guns away from individuals under a two-year protective order for domestic violence, and it would require police to perform background checks at gun shows, according to the Washington Post.
“This is a bipartisan deal that will make Virginians safer,” McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said in a statement to the Washington Post. “It also demonstrates that Democrats and Republicans can work together on key issues like keeping guns out of dangerous hands.”
A spokesman for House Speaker William Howell (R) said the bill “restores reciprocity for law-abiding Virginians while sending a clear signal about domestic violence.”
