1/28 By Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writer
   RICHMOND, Jan. 27 - Republican state lawmakers, countering
Democratic Gov. L. Douglas Wilder's proposal to limit handgun
purchases to one a month, offered a plan today that would allow
people to buy more than that if they get a permit from state or
local police.
   Although buyers would need only to prove their identity and
Virginia residency to obtain a permit, GOP sponsors of the bill said
they believe few gun traffickers would risk a face-to-face encounter
with police.
   The proposal, announced by the Joint Republican Caucus, was
designed to stem the increasing support for Wilder's plan. GOP
leaders said their plan has 21 supporters in the 40-member Senate,
but said they had not yet made such a count in the House of
Delegates.
   "It isn't sound-bite politics, but it is good government," said
Senate Minority Leader Joseph B. Benedetti (R-Richmond), comparing
his plan with Wilder's. "Many of us feel his is feel-good and ours
is real good."
   Public Safety Secretary O. Randolph Rollins, Wilder's chief
strategist for the gun plan, welcomed the Republican effort, but
said the GOP proposal does not go far enough.
   "Our whole concern is the number (of guns) . . . getting bought
and sold," he said. "This unfortunately nibbles around the edge and
doesn't attack the problem."
   The GOP announcement reflected the latest maneuvering in what has
become this session's hottest debate. Several Republicans said they
cannot simply oppose Wilder's one-a-month limit without offering an
alternative, because public sentiment is strong for some sort of
crackdown on gun trafficking.
   Many in the GOP hope that their plan will attract moderate
Republicans who have been leaning toward supporting Wilder's
proposal.
   Sen. Warren E. Barry (R-Fairfax) may be one such swing vote. When
he arrived in Richmond this month, Barry said he would vote for the
one-a-month limit because his constituents are demanding action. But
now, he is supporting the GOP plan.
   "I prefer the Republican version for the simple reason that it's
less restrictive," Barry said.
   Barry said if the GOP version fails, he would vote for Wilder's
plan.
   Meanwhile, two of the three Democratic senators who joined their
18 Republican colleagues in sponsoring the alternative plan said
they were keeping their options open and still may side with Wilder.
   The GOP plan also includes  proposals that do not necessarily
conflict with Wilder's anti-crime legislation.
   Among other things, the caucus proposed tougher punishments for
firearm offenses, such as a life sentence upon a criminal's third
conviction for a violent felony. It also proposed tightening
residency requirements for Virginia driver's licenses, an idea
Wilder embraced this week. Fraudulently obtained licenses often are
used by out-of-state criminals to buy guns in Virginia.
   Under the Republican alternative, anyone who wants to buy more
than one handgun within 30 days first would have to appear in person
at the headquarters of the state or local police in their
jurisdiction.
   They would have to prove their identity with a birth certificate,
passport or similar document, and present two documents - such as
utility bills, employment records or tax returns - indicating that
they live in Virginia. Police then would issue a  permit allowing
unlimited purchases.
   "Criminals are not going to walk into police stations and prove
their identity and residency," said Sen. Edgar S. Robb
(R-Charlottesville).
   The National Rifle Association, which has criticized Wilder's
proposal, doesn't like the GOP plan anymore. "The short way of doing
what they're talking about is reforming the (driver's license)
system," said Jim Baker, the group's chief lobbyist.