Last Friday, the Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 848 unanimously. Sponsored by pro-gun Senator Bill Stanley (R-20), SB 848 would establish a marksmanship award to recognize the top 20 competitors in each of the rifle and pistol Excellence-in-Competition matches conducted annually at the Virginia State Championships. (awaiting House committee referral)
Thursday, January 22, the Senate passed Senate Bill 948 by a 24-16 vote. Sponsored by pro-gun Senator Richard Stuart (R-28), SB 948 would prohibit the sharing of information on concealed handgun permit holders with law enforcement in states that do not have reciprocity agreements with Virginia. This prohibits states hostile to gun ownership from going on fishing expeditions and using this information as an excuse to harass law-abiding Virginia permit holders while they are traveling out of state. (awaiting House committee referral)
Wednesday, January 21, the Senate passed Senate Bill 838 unanimously. Sponsored by Senator Kenneth Alexander (D-5), SB 838 would extend state resident hunting and fishing licenses to the dependents of members of the armed forces who are stationed in Virginia. (awaiting House committee referral)
Last week, the House Courts of Justice Criminal Law Subcommittee passed House Bill 1666 unanimously. Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Buddy Fowler (R-55), HB 1666 would allow former Virginia residents to petition to have their gun rights restored in the same manner as residents. (now before House Courts of Justice 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.