WHAT TRULY MATTERS

Virginians who wear their pants so low their underwear shows may want to think about investing in a stronger belt.

The state's House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner." ...

--AP today

Gun buyers, including criminals, can continue to avoid background checks by doing business with unlicensed dealers at Virginia gun shows.

The Virginia Senate voted 20-17 Wednesday to kill Sen. Henry Marsh's bill requiring criminal background checks on all purchasers at gun shows. State law requires federally licensed dealers to conduct the checks at gun shows but it exempts unlicensed vendors, such as gun collectors and private sellers.

Marsh, D-Richmond, said Virginia is the only state along the coast from North Carolina to the Canadian border that has not closed "the gun show loophole." ...

--AP, 1/26/05