Today, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee unanimously voted to approve House Bill 1552, House Bill 1856 and House Bill 1857. These bills will now move to the Senate floor this week for full consideration so it is imperative that you contact your Senator and respectfully request that he or she support these bills.
House Bill 1552, sponsored by Delegate John Cox (R-55), would help provide clarification for the Clerk of Court, staff and concealed carry applicants in regards to the proper issuance of the copy of the temporary certified application. Concealed carry applicants in certain jurisdictions have been experiencing delays past the 45-day period and are being instructed to pick up the copy of the certified application from the court. The new language will instruct the court to mail the temporary application to the applicant within five business days of the 45-day period. Also, a friendly amendment was included into HB 1552 that would also include delivery of the certified temporary application by electronic mail.
House Bill 1856, sponsored by Delegate Rich Anderson (R-51), would allow a concealed handgun permit holder to obtain a replacement permit in the event that the original permit is lost or destroyed. The permit holder would be required to submit a notarized statement to the clerk of the court that the permit was lost or destroyed and pay a $5 fee. The clerk would be required to issue a replacement permit within ten business days. The replacement permit will have the same expiration date as the original permit.
House Bill 1857, sponsored by Delegate Rich Anderson (R-51), would clarify a problem caused by the federal government where some military personnel who are attempting to purchase a firearm in the Commonwealth are being turned away because their permanent duty orders have assigned them to the Pentagon, which lists its official address in Washington, D.C., despite being located in Virginia. Delegate Anderson’s bill would clarify existing law and include the permanent orders to the Pentagon as criteria for required documentation of residence.
In addition, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted to “Pass by Indefinitely” Del. Cleaveland’s “Castle Doctrine” legislation, HB 2511 which sought to codify a version of the “Castle Doctrine” which would have allowed lawful occupants of a dwelling to use any degree of physical force, including deadly force, against an intruder who has committed an overt act against him, without the fear of civil liability.
HB 2511 is the third “Castle Doctrine” bill defeated by the Senate Courts Committee this session.
With all 140 seats of the General Assembly up for election this year, it is more important than ever for your elected officials to hear your voice and vote to defend your Second Amendment rights. Please remember to take these anti-gun votes into consideration when voting in the upcoming Virginia election.
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