Virginia: Senate Committee Expected to Hear Four Pro-Gun Bills Tomorrow, February 24!

On Wednesday, February 24, the State Senate Courts of Justice Committee will hear four bills of interest to Virginia’s firearm owners; House Bill 8, House Bill 637, House Bill 871 and House Bill 1256.

House Bill 8, sponsored by Delegate Charles Carrico (R-5), would allow the renewal of concealed carry permits by mail. The Senate version, Senate Bill 3 was approved last week in the State Senate by a vote of 29 to 11.

House Bill 637, authored by Delegate Ward Armstrong (D-10), would exempt a boarding team member or boarding team officer in the United States Coast Guard from the concealed handgun permit issuance fee, provided they have completed 15 years of service or reached the age of 55. 

House Bill 871, authored by Delegate Ben Cline (R-24), 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 Senate version, Senate Bill 533 was approved in the Senate by a vote of 32-8.

House Bill 1256, sponsored by Delegate Paula Miller (D-87), would provide that certain law-enforcement officers with at least 20 years of service who resign from their position in good standing to accept a position covered by the Virginia Retirement System, shall be eligible to carry a concealed handgun if he or she has received written proof of consultation with and favorable review of the need to carry a concealed handgun, issued by the chief law-enforcement officer of the agency from which the officer resigned.

Please contact the following members of the State Senate Courts of Justice Committee listed below and respectfully urge them to support HB 8, HB 637, HB 871 and HB 1256.

Senate Courts of Justice Committee:

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

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

State Senator Chap Petersen (D-34)
(804) 698-7534
[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 Thomas Norment, Jr. (R-3)
(804) 698-7503
[email protected]

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

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