Virginia: Restaurant Carry Moves Forward as “Gun Show Loophole” Legislation is Carried Over

SB 595 would have prohibited the private sales of firearms at gun shows by requiring that all sales conducted at a gun show go through a federally licensed dealer.  Make no mistake, if passed, supporters of this legislation would have been calling for a ban on all private sales in Virginia, unless they go through a background check. 

In a strong showing of bi-partisan support the Committee voted by a margin of 8 to 7 to report Senate Bill 334 to the Senate floor.  Sponsored by State Senator Emmet Hanger (R-24), SB334 would allow concealed carry permit holders to carry concealed into restaurants that serve alcohol provided they do not consume alcohol.  Please contact the committee members listed below and thank them for their support on this import measure.

The Committee also voted in favor of the following bills which are also headed to the floor for a full vote:

By a 9 to 6 margin, Senate Bill 3, sponsored by State Senator Smith (R-22) was reported out of Committee. SB3 would allow the renewal of resident concealed carry permits by mail.

By an 8 to 7 margin, Senate Bill 408, sponsored by State Senator Jill Vogel (R-27) was reported out of Committee. SB408 would allow any person who may lawfully posses a firearm and is carrying a handgun while in a personal, private vehicle or vessel, to keep the firearm secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel.

By a 10 to 5 margin, Senate Bill 533, sponsored by State Senator Ryan McDougle (R-4) was reported out of Committee. SB533 would clarify that a person who is applying for a concealed handgun permit for the first time has the same right to an ore tenus (verbal or oral statements) hearing if the permit is denied as a person who has previously held a concealed handgun permit.

The following committee members voted in favor of Senator Hanger’s Restaurant Carry legislation:

State Senator Mark Obenshain
(804) 698-7526
[email protected]

State Senator Fred Quayle (R-13)?
(804) 698-7513?
[email protected]

State Senator Chap Petersen (D-34)?
(804) 698-7534?
[email protected]

State Senator Creigh Deeds (D-25)?
(804) 698-7525?
[email protected]

State Senator John Edwards (D-21)?
(804) 698-7521?
[email protected]

State Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20)?
(804) 698-7520?
[email protected]

State Senator Ryan McDougle (R-4)?
(804) 698-7504?
[email protected]

State Senator Robert Hurt (R-19)?
(804) 698-7519?
[email protected]