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The Virginia Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday advanced a trio of gun bills that alternately would restrict firearm possession, alleviate some concealed handgun permitting requirements and expand the penalties for celebratory gunfire.

Holders of concealed handgun permits would not have to renew their permit every five years but would be able to obtain a permit for life under Senate Bill 608.

Sponsored by Sen. Charles W. Carrico Sr., R-Grayson, the legislation would centralize the permitting process with the Virginia State Police, rather than the local circuit court clerk where a permit holder resides.

Lifetime permits, with a photograph, would be issued for a one-time fee of $100. Currently the fee is $50, payable every five years upon renewal.

Carrico, a former state trooper known as a fiscal and social conservative, said it was one of the first times he had seen anti-gun and pro-gun sides of the firearms debate agree with a piece of legislation he sponsored.

Senators on the Democratic-controlled committee also supported legislation that would restrict people convicted of misdemeanor stalking, sexual battery or assault and battery of a family member from possessing firearms for five years.