Virginia Beach, Va. - A controversial request is part of the city's annual "legislative agenda" - a list of proposals to the General Assembly.
It calls for gun owners who do not report a stolen or lost weapon within 48 hours to be fined.
That penalty was downgraded from a class 1 misdemeanor only after a NewsChannel 3 investigation into the proposal last month.
Councilman Jim Wood sponsored the recommendation.
"It's all strictly about personal responsibility. Frankly, I don't know why anyone would not want to report a firearm that's stolen,” says Wood.
The request cites a national gun-theft estimate from 1994. It never mentions any gun-theft numbers from Virginia Beach or the state.
Wood says the city's request will face a long road ahead with state lawmakers.
"I have no illusion that it's going to go very far, but at least it starts a dialogue," says Wood.
Related:
Virginia Beach Council reverses on controversial gun request
