Virginia restricts handguns

RICHMOND (AP) - Governor Douglas Wilder of Virginia will sign a handgun control bill that will allow multiple gun purchases as long as the buyer has permission from police.

Mr Wilder had wanted a strict buyers' limit of one handgun a month, but compromised with Republican lawmakers to allow multiple purchases under certain conditions. Gun buyers would have to prove their address and identity and tell police why they wanted the guns. State police could prohibit the purchase. The bill is intended to erase Virginia's reputation as a big source for handguns used in crimes on the East Coast.