Virginia: The Legislative Session Ends with Historic Pro-Gun Legislation

The 2016 Virginia Legislative Session has come to a close and included the passage of historic firearm legislation.

On February 26, legislation was signed into law to address the Attorney General’s arbitrary cancellation of concealed carry reciprocity agreements with 25 states.  House Bill 1163 and Senate Bill 610, patroned by Delegate Michael Webert (R-18) and state Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17), will recognize all valid out-of-state concealed carry permits.  This legislation will also require the Virginia State Police to enter into reciprocal agreements with certain states so they will recognize Virginia’s concealed carry permit.  Virginia's new total recognition law will go into effect on July 1, 2016.

Last week, the Governor’s proposed amendments for Senate Bill 626 and House Bill 766 were rejected and the bills were sent back to the Governor’s desk for his final consideration.  Governor McAuliffe’s recommendations would have completely negated the intended purpose of the bills.  Patroned by state Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27) and Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15), SB 626 /HB 766 would allow the petitioner of a protective order to temporarily conceal carry without a permit, thus affording them immediate self-defense options while waiting for their carry permit to be approved.  Senate Bill 626 and House Bill 766 are now heading back to the Governor’s desk in their original form. 

House Bill 1096 also heads to the Governor’s desk for his consideration.  Patroned by Delegate Michael Webert (R-18), HB 1096 would prohibit any state entity from adopting or enforcing any rule, regulation, policy, or administrative action governing the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, storage, or transporting of firearms, ammunition, or components or combinations thereof unless expressly authorized by statute.  The bill invalidates any such rule, regulation, policy, or administrative action adopted by a state entity prior to July 1, 2016.

Thank you to the NRA members and Second Amendment supporters who contacted their lawmakers this session.  Your NRA will continue to keep you informed of all legislation and will fight for your Second Amendment rights in the Commonwealth of Virginia!