Politics | Fri Feb 26, 2016 4:42pm EST

Virginia governor signs gun law compromise measures

BY IAN SIMPSON

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe on Friday signed compromise gun legislation that recognizes concealed-carry permits from all states while making it illegal for someone under a permanent protective order to possess a firearm.

McAuliffe, a Democrat, struck the deal with the Republican-controlled legislature last month. Some lawmakers and gun rights groups had objected to Attorney General Keith Herring's decision in December to stop honoring concealed-handgun permits from 25 states.

"Virginians elect their leaders to work together to get things done, and today I am proud to say we did just that," McAuliffe said in a statement.

McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman, called the package the biggest step forward on gun safety in more than two decades.

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