BY OLYMPIA MEOLA 

A spokesman for Gov. Bob McDonnell says his office is working on scheduling a conversation between the governor and family of victims of the Virginia Tech shootings, who requested a meeting about legislation to repeal the state’s one handgun a month law.

The legislation is before the governor for action, and he is expected to sign the bill.

“We believe the Commonwealth can justifiably be proud of the statute enacted almost 20 years ago limiting handgun purchases to one per month to reduce gun trafficking from Virginia gun dealers,” the families wrote in a letter to McDonnell dated Feb. 24.

“As we contemplate the approaching fifth anniversary of the shooting that changed our lives forever, we remain steadfast in our commitment to do everything possible to protect our fellow Virginians from gun violence. For this reason, we respectfully request that you meet with us to hear our views before you make a decision on the repeal legislation that is now on your desk.”

McDonnell spokesman Jeff Caldwell said the governor received the letter “and we’re working on scheduling a conversation between the families and the governor now.”

The state’s one handgun a month ban was instituted in 1993 under former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder when gun trafficking was a problem along the East Coast.