The Senate Courts of Justice Committee and the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee recently held meetings on several bills of importance to Virginia gun owners, sportsmen and supporters of the Second Amendment.
At 8:00 a.m. today, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee heard twelve bills of interest to the NRA. Action occurred on the following bills in committee:
- Senate Bill 1136, Senate Bill 1232 and Senate Bill 1281 would require a background check on all private firearm transfers, including between family members. The NRA opposes SB 1136, SB 1232 and SB 1281, and all three Senate bills were defeated.
- Senate Bill 911 and Senate Bill 1001 would require a background check on all private firearm transfers at a gun show. Under current law, only licensed dealers must obtain such a check. SB 911 was rolled into SB 1001. Consideration on SB 1001, opposed by the NRA, was passed over for the day and may be heard on Monday, January 21 at 8:00 a.m.
- Senate Bill 965 and Senate Bill 786 would mandate the reporting of lost and stolen firearms and impose penalties for failing to do so. SB 965 was rolled in SB 786 and was passed in committee by a 12-2 vote. SB 786 was amended requiring stolen firearms to be entered into the National Criminal Information Network (NCIC) and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
- Senate Bill 1148 would prohibit individuals from selling, bartering or transferring a magazine designed to hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. SB 1148 died in committee by a 7-7 vote.
- Senate Bill 1228 would effectively repeal firearms preemption and allow localities to adopt ordinances to regulate firearms and ammunition that are stricter than at the state level. SB 1228 was defeated in committee by a 6-8 vote.
- Senate Bill 785 would dictate how one must store firearms in their own home and impose criminal penalties. SB 785 was defeated in committee.
- Senate Bill 1109 would allow individuals to privately transfer firearms to individuals who have had their rights restored. SB 1109 was unanimously reported by committee.
- Senate Bill 1299 would require Virginia State Police to report information on prohibited persons to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) consistent with their mental health data reporting. Consideration on SB 1299 was passed by for the day and will likely be heard on Monday, January 21 at 8:00 a.m.
On Thursday, January 17, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee #1 heard and took action on the following bills:
- House Bill 1557 would train designated individuals to carry concealed handguns on school property. HB 1557 was unanimously referred to the Governor’s School Safety Task Force.
- House Bill 2025 would impose a background check on all private firearm sales, including between family and friends. HB 2025 was defeated in committee.
- House Bill 1693 would remove exceptions for possessing certain unloaded firearms or knives in or upon a motor vehicle located at any elementary, middle or high school from the list of exceptions for possessing a weapon on school property. This would most dramatically affect hunters dropping off or picking up their children from school. HB 1693 was defeated in committee.
- House Bill 2207 would prohibit certain semi-automatic (pseudo “assault”) rifles and magazines capable of holding more than twenty rounds from being imported, sold, bartered or transferred. HB 2207 was defeated in committee.
- House Bill 1326 would eliminate certain firearms safety courses that currently fulfill the resident and non-resident requirement for obtaining a concealed handgun permit. HB 1326 was tabled unanimously.
- House Bill 1662 would allow localities to adopt ordinances to prohibit firearms or ammunition in libraries. HB 1662 was tabled unanimously.
Furthermore, the following bills related to Sunday hunting were tabled in the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Wednesday, January 16: House Bill 1762, House Bill 2036, and House Bill 2037.
The NRA-ILA will continue to monitor all pro-/anti-gun bills as they move through the legislative process. Please continue to contact your state legislators and encourage them to support your Right to Keep and Bears Arms this legislative session.
More Like This From Around The NRA
