Virginia: Bipartisan Bills Head to the Governor’s Desk

As previously reported, government leaders in Virginia struck a bipartisan deal to postpone the revocation of reciprocity agreements until March 1.  Today, all of the bipartisan bills will go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. An outline of the legislation is below:

House Bill 1163 and Senate Bill 610, patroned by Delegate Michael Webert (R-18) and state Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17), would recognize all valid out-of-state concealed carry permits.  This legislation would also require the Virginia State Police to enter into reciprocal agreements with certain states so they will recognize Virginia’s concealed carry permit.

House Bill 1386 and Senate Bill 715, patroned by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31) and state Senator John Edwards (D-21), would require the Virginia State Police to attend gun shows in the Commonwealth and provide voluntary background checks for private transfers between attendees.  These voluntary background checks act as an important safeguard for sellers because they provide civil liability protection.

House Bill 1391 and Senate Bill 49, patroned by Delegate Kathleen Murphy (D-34) and state Senator Janet Howell (D-32), would make it unlawful for any person who is subject to a domestic violence permanent protective order to possess any firearm while the order is in effect. 

Your NRA-ILA is closely monitoring all legislation with respect to this bipartisan deal and will continue to keep you updated on the status of these bills as they go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.