Call your two state senators today in support of Senate Bill 435
Today, the West Virginia House of Delegates approved the amended version of Senate Bill 435, sponsored by state Senator Herb Snyder (D-16), by a 95-3 vote. As amended, SB 435 requires Charleston and three other cities that currently have and enforce local gun control ordinances to be consistent and uniform with the rest of the state. This is a step in the right direction to eliminate the remaining patchwork of misguided firearms laws that are unfortunately still on the books in certain localities.
The House amendment to SB 435, offered by Delegate Patrick Lane (R-38) and adopted on the House floor by a voice vote yesterday, would strengthen current firearms preemption laws by removing existing “grandfather” clauses for certain localities to ensure a uniform set of firearms laws statewide. It would eliminate restrictions such as the three-day waiting period and gun rationing for handgun purchases in Charleston that only serve to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens. These critical improvements are long overdue for residents and businesses in cities like Charleston and Martinsburg where they are subject to unreasonable and restrictive local rules and regulations on legal firearms.
The amended version of SB 435 does not create any new or special exceptions for firearm owners, permit the carrying of firearms in places not currently allowed by West Virginia law or create a new set of standards for the lawful possession and use of a firearm.
The 2013 legislative session ends this Saturday, and your immediate action is needed to ensure Senate concurrence with the House amendment to SB 435! We need you to call and e-mail your two state senators TODAY and respectfully ask them to vote YES on SB 435 tomorrow. Please hold your state legislators accountable by politely asking them how they plan to vote tomorrow.
Phone numbers and e-mails for your state senators can be found here.