Virginia: Report on Legislative Action for the Week of February 24

Yesterday, the House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 154 by a 73-24 vote.  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. (sent to the Governor for signature)

Thursday, February 27, the Senate Education and Health Committee defeated House Bill 786 by a 8-7 vote.  Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Tony Wilt (R-26), HB 786 forbids the dismissal of a teacher for a firearm legally stored in their vehicle.

Wednesday, February 26, the House of Delegates passed the Senate substitute to House Bill 752 unanimously after the Senate passed HB 752 unanimously with a substitute on Monday.  Sponsored by Delegate Tom Rust (R-86), HB 752 gives a school board discretion in requiring expulsion for certain students found with a firearm on school premises. (sent to the Governor for signature)

Monday, February 24, the Senate passed the following two bills:

• 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 by a 39-1 vote and sent to the Governor for signature)
• 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 sent to the Governor for signature) 

Your NRA-ILA will keep you informed as these bills and others progress during this important legislative session so that you can contact your state legislators and urge them to support the bills that advance your Second Amendment rights and oppose those bills that would restrict those rights.  Also, please continue to check your e-mail and www.nraila.org for updates as well as additional legislation.