Virginia: Report on Legislative Action for the Week of February 10

Today, the House Courts of Justice Criminal Law Subcommittee tabled Senate Bill 510 by a voice vote.  Sponsored by anti-gun state Senator Barbara Favola (D-31), SB 510 expands “prohibited persons” for ownership and possession of a firearm to individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors.

Also today, the Senate Public Education Subcommittee considered the following bill:

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 twelve at the cost of the participant. (passed unanimously and sent to the full Senate Education and Health Committee)

Yesterday, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee considered the following three bills:

House Bill 1237: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) and 39 colleagues, HB 1237 allows Sunday hunting on private lands with written permission from the owner - while still prohibiting hunting within 200 yards of a house of worship, the hunting of deer with dogs and the hunting of bear. (passed by an 11-4 vote and sent to the Senate floor)

House Bill 127: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Ed Scott (R-30), HB 127 allows persons to hunt big game with muzzleloading pistols of a caliber of .45 or greater where and in those seasons when the use of muzzleloading rifles is permitted. (passed unanimously and sent to the Senate floor)

House Bill 715: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Tommy Wright (R-61), HB 715 establishes a new combined license for persons hunting with a bow and arrow or a crossbow. (passed unanimously and sent to the Senate floor)

On Wednesday, February 12, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee considered the following three bills:

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. (defeated by a 9-6 vote)

House Bill 878: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Dave LaRock (R-33), HB 878 would require that when certification of a chief law enforcement officer is required by federal law for transfer of a firearm or other item regulated under the National Firearms Act, such certification must be provided within thirty days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the firearm. (defeated by a 9-5 vote)

House Bill 962: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Ben Cline (R-24), HB 962 clarifies the current law to allow the carrying of a concealed weapon in a secured container or compartment in a motor vehicle without a concealed handgun permit. (passed by an 8-6 vote and sent to the Senate floor)

On Monday, February 10, the state Senate voted on the following two bills:

Senate Bill 9: Sponsored by pro-gun state Senator Tom Garrett (R-22), SB 9 would make it lawful to hunt or kill coyotes on Sundays. (stricken from Senate calendar by a 39-1 vote)

Senate Bill 154: Sponsored by state Senator Phil Puckett (D-38), SB 154 allows Sunday hunting on private lands with written permission from the owner - while still prohibiting hunting within 200 yards of a house of worship, the hunting of deer with dogs and the hunting of bear. (passed by a 29-10 vote and referred to the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee)

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