On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced a slate of gun control bills targeting semi-automatic firearms, standard capacity magazines, carry rights, home storage, and more. Most concerning, a substitute to SB 749 was adopted, the bill now bans all magazines above 10 rounds that are currently owned by law abiding Virginians. This will instantly turn individuals into criminals for owning most common handguns, semi-auto rifles and shotguns. Moreover, this hearing went forward while much of Virginia was under a winter storm state of emergency, making it difficult or impossible for many gun owners to safely travel to the Capitol to testify in person. Most of these bills now move to the Senate Finance Committee.
The following bills were reported from Senate Courts of Justice:
Senate Bill 749 bans certain semi-automatic firearms, including many semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns, and arbitrarily limits magazine capacities. With the removal of the grandfather clause for magazines, anyone in possession of magazines that exceed the arbitrary limit will become a criminal overnight. This bill is an attempt to redefine and ban firearms that are in common use by law-abiding citizens—plain and simple gun confiscation by definition.
Senate Bill 272 limits who can carry firearms at public institutions of higher learning.
Senate Bill 348 creates mandatory storage requirements for homes where minors and/or prohibited persons also reside.
Senate Bill 312 prohibits carrying "assault firearms" in public places, including streets, sidewalks, and parks. Because of vague definitions, SB 312 effectively criminalizes carrying any center-fire semi-automatic firearm in the Commonwealth.
Senate Bill 323 ends the centuries-old practice of individuals building lawful firearms for personal use without government interference by prohibiting the manufacture of firearms without serial numbers. Transfer and possession of an unserialized or plastic firearm would be prohibited. This legislation would also penalize individuals who lawfully purchased unfinished frames and receivers before the bill’s effective date.
Senate Bill 496 places further restrictions on the ability for a law-abiding individual to keep a firearm in their vehicle for self-defense.
Senate Bill 115 jeopardizes concealed handgun recognition and reciprocity agreements. This could impact the ability of Virginia's Concealed Handgun Permit holders to carry their firearms in other states as they travel.
Meanwhile, the committee rejected Senate Bill 78, a measure that would have increased mandatory minimum sentences for repeat firearm offenses, sending a clear message that their priority is restricting lawful gun owners instead of violent offenders.
Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for updates as this legislative session progresses.
More Like This From Around The NRA
