Virginia Senate Passes Legislation to Repeal One-Gun-a-Month Law

Today, the Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 323 by a 21 to 19 vote.  SB 323 would repeal the archaic prohibition of purchasing more than one handgun per month.  The House of Delegates passed House Bill 940, its companion to SB 323, by a 66 to 32 vote last week.  Since Governor Bob McDonnell has publicly committed to sign this legislation into law if passed by the Virginia General Assembly, the state Senate was the major hurdle in this fight for the restoration of your rights in the Commonwealth.

Drafted by the NRA and sponsored by state Senator Bill Carrico (R-40), Senate Bill 323 would repeal the prohibition on law-abiding citizens buying more than one handgun within a thirty-day period.  Anti-gun opponents have long claimed that gun rationing keeps handguns out of the hands of criminals, but history has shown this law to be ineffective, and to only affect and penalize law-abiding citizens. 

We thank all NRA members who contacted their state legislators and urged them to support SB 323 and HB 940.  After the February 14 “crossover date,” the House of Delegates will consider SB 323 and the Senate will consider HB 940 before being sent to Governor McDonnell for his approval.