Virginia: Report on Legislative Action in Richmond This Week

Today, the House of Delegates defeated four anti-gun amendments offered to House Bill 705.  Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15), HB 705 eliminates certain requirements for an out-of-state concealed handgun permit to be recognized in Virginia. (third reading on Monday)

Yesterday, House Bill 878 sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Dave LaRock (R-33) passed on the House floor.  HB 878 requires that when certification from a chief law enforcement officer is required by federal law for the transfer of a firearm -- as defined in the National Firearms Act -- such certification must be provided within thirty days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the firearm. (passed by a 64-32 vote and was referred to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee)

On Wednesday, January 22, the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee reported favorably House Bill 1237 by a 12-10 vote.  HB 1237, sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15), allows Sunday hunting on private lands with written permission from the owner - while still prohibiting hunting within 200 yards of a house of worship and the hunting of deer and bear with dogs.  A House floor vote on HB 1237 is expected on Monday.

Also on Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee reported favorably House Bill 127 by a 7-0 vote. Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Ed Scott (R-30), HB 127 allows persons to hunt big game with muzzleloading pistols of .45 caliber or greater where and in those seasons when the use of muzzleloading rifles is permitted.

Also on Wednesday, the following five bills were considered by the Senate Courts of Justice Committee:

Senate Bill 396: Sponsored by pro-gun Senator Jill Vogel (R-27), SB 396 provides that a licensed firearms dealer does not have to have a criminal background check through the Virginia Firearm Transaction Program performed to determine a person's eligibility to purchase a firearm if the purchaser possesses a valid concealed handgun permit and presents photo-identification. (carried over until 2015)

Senate Bill 610: Sponsored by pro-gun Senator John Cosgrove (R-14), SB 610 would require the Virginia State Police to report information on prohibited persons to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to ensure that the firearm purchase process is accurate, complete and effective. (defeated by a 2-13 vote)

Senate Bill 39: Sponsored by anti-gun Senator David Marsden (D-37), SB 39 requires that a criminal history record check be performed on the prospective transferee before any firearms transfer at a gun show. (substitute was adopted and then carried over until the 2015 legislative session)

Senate Bill 287: Sponsored by Senator Creigh Deeds (D-25), SB 287 provides that any person who sells or otherwise transfers a firearm to a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm by state or federal law is guilty of a Class 6 felony if the transferor does not obtain a background check from a licensed firearms dealer. (defeated by a 6-8 vote)

Senate Bill 520: Sponsored by anti-gun Senator Don McEachin (D-9), SB 520 would impose a “universal” background check through gun dealers for firearm transfers by criminalizing the private transfer of firearms outside of immediate family members, making it a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person who is not a licensed dealer to sell, rent, trade or transfer a firearm to any other person who is not a licensed dealer. (action postponed until Monday)

Also on Wednesday, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee considered the following two bills:

House Bill 66: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate David Ramadan (R-87), HB 66 requires each local school board to place a school resource officer in each public elementary and secondary school.  All costs resulting from the requirement shall be paid from the Lottery Proceeds Fund. (passed by a 9-0 vote and sent to the House Appropriations Committee)

House Bill 307: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), HB 307 permits local school boards to provide after-school hunter safety education programs for students grades seven through 12 at the cost of the participant. (passed by a 9-0 vote)

Also on Wednesday, the House of Delegates voted on the following two bills:

House Bill 357: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Rich Anderson (R-51), HB 357 allows a circuit court clerk to disclose information contained in a concealed handgun permit application to the applicant. (passed unanimously and was referred to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee)

House Bill 962: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Ben Cline (R-24), HB 962 allows carrying a concealed weapon in a secured container or compartment in a motor vehicle. (passed by a 70-27 vote and was referred to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee)

Your NRA-ILA will be closely monitoring and tracking these important bills.  Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org for further updates and opportunities to get involved.