Virginia Contact Your Delegate to Help Pass Pro-Gun Measures!

On Friday, February 3, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee passed two important pro-Second Amendment bills: 

HB 162, sponsored by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), which prevents law-abiding citizens from being subjected to an employer's policy prohibiting lawfully-possessed firearms in a locked vehicle on the employer's property; and HB 1265, sponsored by Delegate Bill Janis (R-56), that prevents any government authority from suspending or restricting your Right to Keep and Bear Arms during a declared state of emergency.

Both of these bills will be heading to the House floor next week, so it is critical that you contact your Delegate and strongly encourage him or her to support these measures on the House floor! 

Additionally, on Thursday, February 2, a House Militia, Police, and Public Safety Subcommittee passed a number of pro-gun measures that could be heard by the full Committee as early as next Friday. Please contact your Delegate and urge him or her to support all of the following bills:

HB 704 (Del. Clarke Hogan (R-60)), prevents counties from enacting any regulation regarding hunting or the discharge of firearms; HB 1577 (Del. Ben Cline (R-24)), allows any person designated by the issuing judge to sign a concealed handgun permit; HB 1578 (Del. Ben Cline (R-24)), clarifies language regarding "personal knowledge" and limits the disqualification relating to the likelihood of using a weapon unlawfully or negligently; HB 1401 (Del. Charles Carrico (R-5)), removes the option for a locality to require that an applicant for a concealed handgun permit submit fingerprints as part of the application; HB 167 (Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31)), eliminates the need for Virginia residents to renew a concealed handgun permit (lifetime permit); HB 769 (Del. Mark Sickles (D-43)), requires the Virginia Attorney General to provide a website link to the Virginia State Supreme Court opinions regarding deadly and lethal force, and that notification of such information be contained on the application for a concealed handgun permit.

Also, on Thursday, the same subcommittee tabled (HB 1495), a bill by Delegate Kristen Amundson (D-44) that would have extended the prohibition against carrying firearms at schools to school board meetings, regardless of whether the meeting is held on school property. Special thanks to subcommittee Chairman Del. Tommy Wright (R-61) and committee members Del. Morgan Griffith (R-8), Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), and Del. Dave Nutter (R-7) for their support and efforts on these bills. 

Finally, two more pro-gun bills will be heard in House committees next week: HB 1531, sponsored by Del. Ward Armstrong (D-10), would prohibit medical professionals from asking patients whether or not they own firearms; and HB 879, sponsored by Del. Tom Gear (R-91), would provide protection from civil and criminal action taken against an individual who is acting in defense of themselves, their family, or their property. 

Please be sure to contact your Delegate and urge him or her to support all of the above-referenced bills.  You can reach your Delegate at (804) 698-1500.