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Could a new law actually target legal gun owners?

Posted at 8:27 PM, Sep 19, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-23 07:45:04-04

If a thief steals your gun, you could be the one going to jail. Investigator Mike Mather found how Virginia Beach city leaders are pushing for a new law that some say targets not the criminals, but the legal gun owners.

Night after night, in city after city, gunshots crackle and brass shells rain to the pavement. Many of the guns used to rob and kill are stolen. No one really knows how many, but Virginia Beach leaders say it’s enough to muster a new law. And by that, they mean a new law targeting the legal gun owners.

Virginia Beach City Council wants a law that critics say, will punish the crime victims, the people who had their guns stolen. If the gun owners don't quickly report lost or stolen firearms, they could face jail time. Now some people will say, good, of course stolen guns should be reported. But others say the Beach's idea does nothing to stop the thieves, or the violence, but instead targets the good guys.

Is this idea simply common sense? Or is it off the mark? A NewsChannel 3 investigation airs Tuesday at 11.