CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For the second year in a row, another controversial issue that handily passed through both chambers of the Legislature has brought forth renewed calls for a special session.
In the days following the conclusion of the first session of the 82nd Legislature, some lawmakers signed onto a petition that would allow them to reconvene in hopes of addressing several issues, including a contentious gun bill.
With Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin considering a veto of Senate Bill 347, which would eliminate the requirement for a person to get a permit in order to carry a concealed gun, proponents of the bill began collecting signatures over the past few days reminding the governor of the bill’s importance.
Members of the Liberty Caucus — a small group of so called “liberty-minded” Republicans — and others who have supported the bill have signed the petition, which they intend to send to the governor, calling for a special session.
According to the state Constitution, three-fifths of the members of each House of the Legislature can write to the governor to compel him to call a special session.
Tomblin told the Daily Mail he became aware of the circulating petitions on Tuesday, saying, “I heard that earlier today. That is something that does not happen very often.”
A special session, Tomblin said, could open up a number of possibilities.
“There’s no end in sight and you can’t limit what you call yourself in session for…
