The House of Delegates overwhelmingly rejected a proposal yesterday to restrict the possession of guns at the Virginia Capitol.

The House voted 77 to 18 to reject  a change in House rules proposed by Del. Lionel Spruill Sr. (D-Chesapeake). The rule would have prohibited guns  in areas of Capitol Square controlled by the House, which has no say over space controlled by the Senate.

House Republican Leader H. Morgan Griffith (Salem) said that was a major flaw in the proposal. He also said that  although the proposal exempted police officers, visiting dignitaries would be unable to bring their armed bodyguards.

Spruill said some visitors to the Capitol this week said they felt unsafe because gun rights activists were carrying their firearms on the grounds.