Significant Gains for Virginia Gun Owners: NRA Supported Bills Become Law

FAIRFAX, VA -- In a victory for Second Amendment rights, several bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly and backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) were signed into law today by Governor Mark Warner.

"The 2004 legislative session was an exceptional year for gun owners in the Commonwealth of Virginia," said Chris W. Cox, NRA`s chief lobbyist. "On behalf of countless Virginia NRA members, gun owners and sportsmen, I want to thank the Virginia General Assembly and Governor Warner for acting to preserve the Second Amendment rights of the Commonwealth`s citizens and future generations."

Among the pro-Second Amendment legislation signed into law is HB 404, sponsored by Delegate Bill Janis, which exempts holders of valid Right-to-Carry permits from the limitation of buying only one handgun a month. The bill also exempts purchases made by collectors for the purposes of improving their collection. This legislation recognizes that permit holders are law-abiding citizens and should not be subject to draconian regulation.

HB 1144 and HB 1302, sponsored respectively by Delegate Bob McDonnell and Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, made needed improvements to the laws governing firearm purchases by removing unnecessary restrictions on residents of the Commonwealth. Four additional bills made changes to strengthen preemption laws and eliminate onerous local firearm ordinances. And, Virginia broadly expanded the number of states whose Right-to-Carry permits it will recognize.

"The majority of the Virginia General Assembly and the Governor recognizes that firearm laws should respect the rights of law-abiding gun owners instead of vilifying them based on the acts of criminals," added Cox. "Not only did several pro-gun bills become law, but numerous anti-gun proposals were soundly defeated in the legislature. NRA will continue to build on these successes to help the gun owners of Virginia."

Please visit www.nraila.org/CurrentLegislation/Read.aspx?ID=1068for a complete list of these bills.

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The 133-year-old National Rifle Association is the nation`s oldest civil rights group, and advocates enforcement of existing laws to prosecute and punish violent criminals. The NRA is the leader in teaching gun safety and promoting marksmanship. The Association has approximately four million members across America.