RICHMOND, Va – Lawmakers appear set to create a religious-based exemption to rules requiring photo I-D as part of the background check process for gun purchases.

Under a bill sponsored by area Delegate Chris Runion, roughly two thousand Virginians, most of them in Augusta and Rockingham Counties, would gain the ability to buy firearms using special I-D cards without having a photo on them.

Runion told the Judiciary Committee yesterday that the Old Order Mennonite and Amish communities have a “quiet voice” and rarely vote or participate in government affairs.

The Democratic-controlled committee approved the bill 15-0 and will move to the full Senate later this week. It has already passed the House.