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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Antis Raise Ohio School Shooting In Comments on Repeal of One Gun-a-Month

The local gun ban lobby can't help but use a tragic shooting for political purposes.  This AP report asked several gun control activists for comments in response to Govenror McDonnell's signing HB 940.  Here is a sampling of what they got:
Goddard, president of the Virginia Center for Public Safety, reserved his harshest criticism for legislators who passed the bill.

"They have not learned a damn thing," Goddard said. Alluding to Monday's school shooting that left three students dead in Ohio, Goddard said: "Here we are watching kids dying in other states, and we're going to be a purveyor of firearms for other states."
Delegate Limgamfelter, the sponsor of HB 940, got it exactly right:
"I think Virginians deserve effective laws, and one handgun a month has been overtaken by technology and improved background checks," he said. "Criminals don't go into gun stores, stand there in the bright light, hand over their driver's license and stand there and wait for the vendor to see if they have a criminal record."
He added: "If you really want to get after gun crime, you get after people who use guns illegally. You don't punish law-abiding citizens."
Thank you Governor McDonnell for keeping your promise and repealing this unnecessary and ineffective law.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Governor McDonnell to Act Today on Repeal of Handgun Rationing

Gov. Bob McDonnell has until midnight tonight to act on HB 940, Delegate Scott Lingamfelter's bill that would repeal the Virginia's handgun rationing .  The Times Dispatch reports the Governor is expected to sign the bill.
McDonnell said on WTOP radio in Washington this morning that he'll make an announcement later today about the measure.
Over the weekend, the Governor heard from families of vitims of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting.  They urged him to veto the bill.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Christohper Newport University At It Again

We've come to expect Christopher Newport University (CNU) to tell us during the Virginia General Assembly that a majority of Virginians want to keep our few gun control laws.  CNU did not let us down this year either. The Richmond Times Dispatch reports the finding's of the lastest CNU poll (which the RTD commissioned).
Of the 1,018 registered Virginia voters polled Feb. 4-13, 66 percent want the one-gun-a-month restriction to remain and 31 percent favor repeal. A signature law from former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder's administration, it was enacted in 1993 in response to interstate gun-trafficking problems on the East Coast.
To show just how unimformed the average American is when it comes to our basic rights, one need only look at comments like these:
Patricia Lane, of Chester, said she is not a particularly close follower of gun-related issues, but that "my thoughts would be that one gun a month would be sufficient for anybody."

Roger Skeen, of Midlothian, also exercises his Second Amendment right but thinks one purchase a month is sufficient even for enthusiasts or people who use guns for sporting.
The government that can tell you how many of any item you can buy in a specified amount of time is a governement that can tell you that you can't buy any of that item, period.

Is It Easier to Buy A Gun Than Vote in Virginia?

During a February 10th interview with Al Sharpton on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, anti-rights State Senator Janet Howell complained about General Assembly Republicans passing legislation to ease gun control laws and strengthening voter identification requirements.
"What’s really ironic with what’s happening is it’s going to be harder to vote in Virginia than it is to buy a gun with what they’re doing on gun control issues," she said.

The Richmond Times Dispatch PolitiFact checker decided to see if she was right. After analyzing all of the state laws related to buying a firearm, and the laws related to voting, the RTD found:
We rate Howell’s statement Half True.
That is a little generous.  This finding was based on the fact there are more restrictions on buying a gun from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) than voting. Additionally, to purchase a firearm from an FFL, more identification is required than to vote. The gun buyer also has to go through a background check when purchasing from an FFL.  A voter does not. Finally, one can be more easily disqualified from buying a firearm than you can be from voting.

The RTD noted that there are fewer barriers to buying a gun privately than there are to voting. The private gun sale requires no wait, no identification, and no easily enforceable disqualifications, however it is still against the law to knowingly sell a firearm to someone who is disqualified.

When Senator Howell was alerted that she may have been caught in a little hyperbole with a friendly interviewer, she told the RTD her comments were a "rhetorical slur."

I'd call it a slur alright.

Senate Insists on Castle Substitute to HB 48

Today,  the State Senate insisted on its substitute bill to House Bill 48, the only remaining bill codifying a version of the Castle Doctrine.  This action sets in motion the likelihood of a Conference Committee to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.  There is no guarentee however that a solution will be reached before the end of the Session.  The House previously re-referred SB 4, Senate Stuart's Castle bill, to House Courts of Justice.  It has not been placed on an agenda to be reheard by the committee.

Families of Tech Shooting Victims Ask McDonnell to Veto Repeal of Handgun Rationing

On Saturday, the Roanoke Times reported that Governor Bob McDonnell spoke with the families of victims of the 2007 mass shootings at Virginia Tech and a student who survived the attack.  They asked the Governor to veto HB 940, Delegate Lingamfelter's bill repealing Virginia's handgun rationing law.
McDonnell told the families that his staff would contact them by Tuesday to let them know what he decides. McDonnell is attending a National Governors Association conference in Washington. D.C. this weekend.
Lori Haas, the mother of one of the students injured in the Tech shootings, is a gun control activist.  She told the Times that repealing one gun a month will make it easier for criminals to get guns.  The fact is, the law was in place with the Tech shooter bought his guns, and he bought them legally in accordance with the law.  So, please tell me, how will keeping the law stop a would-be criminal from getting more than one gun if they really want it?

Contact the Governor's office and politely urge him to sign HB 940 as he promised he would when he campaigned for Governor.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

25th Western Virginia Sports Show at Augusta Expoland Feb 24-26

The 25th Western Virginia Sport Show is this weekend at the Augusta Expoland. The show will feature hunting and fishing celebrities including Harold Knight, co-founder of Knight & Hale Game Calls. Country music sensation Aaron Tippen will be performing Saturday. Charlie O'Brien - from Mossy Oak's Deer T.H.U.G.S. TV Show will share his decades of experience spent managing, tending, growing and hunting whitetail deer. National Champion Turkey Caller and home town favorite, Lance Hanger, will be on hand to demonstrate his winning techniques and give tips on hunting a big gobbler this Spring. Howard and Jason Caldwell will demonstrate Falconry featuring their "Raptors Up Close" program for conservation education of these fascinating birds of prey.
This is a  family friendly event where you can view the latest hunting and fishing equipment, purchase a dream hunting or fishing trip, enter contests, catch rainbow trout, participate in the latest interactive activities, enjoy dozens of game displays, shop with over 200 vendors, eat great food, and enjoy a variety of free seminars by well know celebrities and TV personalities. There will be seminars, exhibits, demonstrations and contests promising fun and exciting new activities for everyone in the family. Experienced and novice sportsmen can try the latest in new equipment and learn about new places to enjoy Virginia 's great outdoors. The show features activities for kids to spark their interest in outdoor adventures. See the latest in specialized equipment and partnership programs offered by sportsmen's organizations.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) will have Conservation Police Officers and Hunter Education Safety and Complementary Work Force Volunteers on hand to answer questions and provide information on hunting and fishing opportunities and Agency programs to manage fish and wildlife resources. Visit the show's website for all the details.

Hat tip to the DGIF Outdoor Report.

Southhampton County and Muzzleloader Hunting

Bob Rudzik writes in Tidewater News on the topic of the Southamption County ban on muzzleloader hunting.
Dallas Jones, the chairman of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors, as well as the county attorney and numerous others have told me that if I feel so strongly about muzzleloader hunting, I need to work on public opinion and gain a majority vote.
Mr. Rudzik has written before on the topic.  He views the restriction as a violation of the right to determine how one wishes to hunt on his land. 
If someone can explain to me a logical reason for maintaining the shotgun-only regulations, I am willing to listen and possibly even change my stand. So far, I have not found one such logical reason, and I have found many willing to talk rationally in support of the landowners regaining their rights.
He's right, just as the ban on Sunday Hunting is a property rights issue.  This year VSSA and a coalition of sportsmen groups attempted to lift the ban on Sunday hunting on private property.  The House Agriculture Natural Resources subcommittee decided to lay the bills on the table.

Apparently the muzzleloader issue divides hunters in Southhamption much as the Sunday hunting issue does statewide.  Let's hope that Southhampton County will lift their ban on hunting with a muzzleloader and that we will soon lift the ban on Sunday hunting.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Three More Bills Headed to Governor McDonnell

The General Assembly is winding down toward its closing day on March 10th.  As the House and Senate continue to take up each other's legislation, gun owners had more victories today and three more pro-gun bills are headed to Governor Bob McDonnell for his approval:

SB 67, removes the option for a locality to require an applicant for a concealed handgun permit to submit fingerprints with the application. This legislation was passed in the House of Delegates by a 72 to 24 vote.

SB 323 is the Senate companion bill to HB 940, repealing Virginia's handgun rationing law.  The gun ban lobby has long claimed that gun rationing keeps handguns out of the hands of criminals, yet there is no evidence this law has been effective, and its only affect has been to penalize law-abiding citizens. SB 323 passed the House  64 to 32. HB 940 was previously sent to the Governor for his approval.  He has said he would sign a repeal of the one gun-a-month law..

SB 563 alters certain application procedures to obtain a concealed handgun permit, including allowing for the submission of an initial application via U.S. mail. This bill would also restrict the clerk and the circuit court from requesting or requiring any information from an applicant other than that which is allowed on the concealed handgun permit application. This legislation was passed in the House of Delegates by a 79 to 20 vote.

Finally, another pro-gun bill, SB 4, the Senate bill tha would codify a version of the Castle Doctrine, was re-referred to the House Courts of Justice Committee.  It may remain in committee as the committee currently has no additional committee hearings scheduled. The House companion bill, HB 48 was passed by for the day today in the House of Delegates and will be on the calendar again tomorrow.

Monday, February 20, 2012

More Bills Headed to Governor McDonnell

Today was a good day for gun owners in the Virginia General Assembly as both House Bill 22 and House Bill 26 passed the State Senate and are now headed to Governor McDonnell.

HB 22 would establish that no locality or entity may participate in a compensated confiscation ("gun buyback") program where individuals are given anything of value or money in exchange for surrendering a firearm to the locality unless the governing body first passes an ordinance authorizing the "buyback" scheme. The bill also requires any locality holding a compensated confiscation program to sell the firearms to a federally licensed dealer or be disposed of in any appropriate manner if they could not be sold. HB 22 passed the state Senate by a 23 to 17 vote.  A similar bill passed the General Assembly in 2009 but was vetoed by then Governor Tim Kaine, who is now running for the U.S. Senate.

HB 26 would allow a court to waive a $25 dollar fine upon presentation of the permit to the court, if a person fails to display his concealed handgun permit when requested by a law enforcement officer. This legislation passed in the state Senate by a 40 to 0 vote.

Also passing the State Senate today was HB 48, the House bill codifying the Castle Doctrine.   There has been a great deal of misinformation about the Castle bills that are making their way through the General Assembly.  Contrary to information being spread over the Internet, HB 48 does not negatively impact your right to self defense.  This bill was amended by the Senate Courts of Justice Committee to address those concerns. When introduced and passed by the House of Delegates, the bill was previously in Criminal Code 18.2.  The Senate amended the bill moving it to the Civil Procedures section, 8.01. In addition, the following language was added:
This section shall not be construed to limit, withdraw, or overturn any defense or immunity already existing in statutory or common law prior to the effective date of this law.
As amended, HB48 would provide civil liability immunity to someone who uses any degree of physical force against another person when the other person has unlawfully entered the dwelling and committed an overt act. Despite its passage due to the amended language, HB 48 must now be sent back to the House of Delegates for their concurrence.

It is possible that HB 22 and HB 26 will arrive on Governor McDonnell's desk in the next week thus requiring him to act prior to the end of the session, which is March 10.  Regardless, the bills will not take affect until July 1, if signed by the Governor.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Militia & Police Subcommittee 1 Meeting Results

This evening, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 took action on three bills of importance to gun owners. During their meeting the subcommittee unanimously passed both Senate Bill 245, the update to Virginia's Emergency Powers statute,  and Senate Bill 563 a bill that streamlines the concealed handgun permit application process. Both SB 245 and SB 563 will now be considered by the full House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee tomorrow morning.


In another act supported by pro-gun advocates, this subcommittee also decided to “carry over” until next year one of the few remaining anti-gun bills, Senate Bill 554 by a 4 to 1 vote. Sponsored by state Senator Barbara Favola (D-31), SB 554 would have created a Class 1 misdemeanor for the transportation or possession of firearms within the residence of the alleged victim by persons subject to emergency protective orders issued as a result of an assault and battery against a family or household member.

Legislation is moving quickly in both houses of the legislature as the session races to a final closing date of March 10.

Senate Courts Kills CHP Privacy Bill

WAVY TV has this article on yesterday's Senate Courts defeat of Delegate Mark Cole's bill that would have prohibited circuit courts from releasing information related to concealed handgun permit holders. Currently, anyone can go to an individual circuit court and request information on permit holders. The Fredericksburg Free Lance Star publishes the names of permit holders in the area when permits are granted.

Several years ago, the Roanoke Times posted on its web site a list of all of Virginia's permit holders, which led to an opinion request of the Attorney General. Then Attorney General Bob McDonnell responded that the list maintained by the State Police was not public information. However, anyone who still wants to go to the effort of obtaining the information from individual courts can still do so.

Sunday Hunting Dead for 2012

Yesterday the House Natural Resources Subcommittee of The House Agriculture Committee tabled SB 464, a bill that would have allowed hunting on Sunday on private property by the property owner or with the permission of the property owner.  The subcommittee had taken similar action with a House companion bill earlier in the session.

With this action, Virginia will remain one of six states that bans hunting on Sunday for at least one more year.
There was positive news in that for the first time, a bill than at least partially rolled back the ban made it out of one house of the legislature.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Gun Ban Lobby Urges Governor to Veto Repeal of Handgun Rationing

No real surprise here.  The Virginia Center for Public Safety sent this email today shortly after the State Senate passed HB 940, the House bill that repeals Virginia's handgun rationing law.  The email tells the group's supporters and now they need to contact Governor McDonnell and urge him to veto the bill:
Your efforts to defeat that legislation in the Senate were heroic and much appreciated, but we lost a very close 21-19 vote after Democratic Senators John Edwards and Creigh Deeds defected to the NRA's side.
The bill, HB 940, is now moving to the desk of Governor Bob McDonnell.  This will be our last opportunity to stop this dangerous legislation!
Just for the record, Senators Edwards and Deeds couldn't "defect" because they were never on the side of the gun ban lobby. Both senators have a long standing position supporting repeal of "one gun-a-month."

Please thank Senators Edwards and Deeds for standing with law abiding gun owners and voting to repeal this unnecessary  infringement of our rights.  When the bill is signed by the Speaker and the President of the Senate, VSSA will alert members to contact the Governor and urge him to keep his promise and sign the legislation.

HB 940 - House Version Repealing Handgun Rationing on Final Vote in Senate Today

Legislation is moving fast this year.  It is not unheard of, but highly unusual for House bills to move in the Senate before Crossover.  But a number of House bills are on third reading today in the State Senate, included Delegate Scott Lingamfelter's HB 940, repealing Virginia's handgun rationing bill.  If it passes, which is expected since the Senate has already passed its version, then the bill will go to the Governor, and it will be signed before the end of this year's session.  Once signed, it will become effective July 1, 2012.

Creigh Deeds on Repeal of Handgun Rationing

State Senator Creigh Deeds wrote an Op/Ed for the Augusta Free Press on Friday, February 10, updating his constituients on the progress of the 2012 General Assembly Session.  He had this to say about his vote to repeal Virginia's handgun rationing law:
One of the most divisive issues, however, is the repeal of the one gun a month law. Frankly, I know many of my friends and supporters will disagree with my vote in favor of the repeal.  Anyone familiar with my voting history or my public statements on this matter cannot be surprised.

When the law passed in 1993 I voted no because I thought it would have primarily symbolic value and not effectively deter crime.  I am not convinced that restricting the right to purchase firearms of those who obey the law deters crime.  People intent on violating the law are going to find a way to obtain the weapons they want, so the law only curtails behavior of law-abiding citizens.  Over the years, nothing has convinced me otherwise.  I have not seen empirical data to suggest the law has prevented people intent on committing crime from obtaining weapons.

The Second Amendment guarantees gun possession and ownership as a constitutionally protected personal right.  Limiting that right is a serious matter.  I do not own a handgun and have no desire to purchase one, so I understand the sentiment of proponents of the law inquiring why someone needs more than 12 guns per year.  However, I also cannot understand why one would need to buy six a year, or 24 a year.  Any limit set on this matter is arbitrary.

The reality is, under current law, people can already purchase more than one handgun a month.  During the 19 years after its enactment, numerous exceptions have been granted.  Among those exceptions are collectors, law enforcement officers, private sale and antique purchases, concealed carry permit holders, and private security companies.  In addition, nothing in the law prevents someone from purchasing unlimited numbers of rifles or shotguns.

People tend to talk in platitudes about the one gun a month law.  Either “the law ended gun running from the Commonwealth” or “it was an unreasonable limitation on gun ownership.”  The facts on the gun running claim are not clear.  I have not seen any empirical data suggesting the law significantly reduced the number of guns originating from Virginia involved in crime in other states.  In fact, the anecdotal evidence is mixed at best.   Some will argue that guns involved in crime from New York still come from Virginia; others will argue the rates have diminished.  There is simply not a convincing case to be made that the law effectively deterred gun-related violence.
If you live in Senator Deeds' district, please thank him for his vote.

Friday, February 10, 2012

"Do You Want to Eat Breakfast with the Devil?"

That was what an 82 year-old constituent of Delegate Anne B. Crockett-Stark, (R-Wythe) told an intruder when she caught him entering her home through a window he had broken.  Delegart Crockett-Stark shared the story yesterday as the House of Delegates was debating final passage of House Bill 48, a bill to codify the Castle Doctrine.  The entire story goes like this, as relayed in the Richmond Times Dispatch report on passage of the bill:

The 82-year-old female lived in the in the back of a funeral parlor. She heard the break-in at 2 a.m and after grabbing her pistol, the woman, who happens to be a sharpshooter, according to Crockett-Stark, caught the male burglar crawling in through a window he had broken.

"She grabs him up, she puts the pistol under his chin, (and) she said, 'Do you want to eat breakfast with the devil?'" Crockett-Stark said.
As the perp fled, the woman fired a shot into the air to scare him.  The man later filed a warrent against her and took her to coart for shooting at him, Crockett Stark continued.

"And he won!" Crockett-Stark said. "We do need this bill."
Shooting into the air is not the smartest thing to do, especially after he was fleeing, but he is the one who committed a crime, yet he gets to sue her.

Both the House and Senate have passed versions of the Castle Doctrine.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Virginia's U.S. Senate Candidates on Repeal of Handgun Rationing

From the NBC 4 in Washington:
Kaine, a Democrat, said in a statement:
The long-standing law strikes an appropriate balance between the 2nd amendment rights of Virginians and the public safety interests of our citizens.
Allen, a Republican and Kaine’s main competitor in the Senate race, saying at a  “Sportsmen for Allen” event:
"I'm not in favor of gun rationing," he said. "I wasn't for it when it passed, and I see no need for it."
And from RVANews:
I am very disappointed in the General Assembly’s actions toward repeal of one of Gov. Doug Wilder’s signature achievements,” said Tim Kaine, another previous governor. Kaine is now the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate.

“I strongly urge Gov. McDonnell to veto this legislation and urge all of Virginia’s leaders in Richmond to renew their commitment to a focus on jobs and the economy,” Kaine said.
McDonnell has indicated that he would sign the repeal measure.
So, there you have it, Allen, a friend to gun owners; Kaine, a typical anti-rights candidate that talks about a "balanced" approach to restricting our rights.

Castle Doctrine, Civil Immunity Pass House as Expected

Castle Doctrine (HB 48) passed the House 70-28.

Civile Immunity for persons acting in defense of property (HB 14) passed the House 75-22.

Both bills now go to the State Senate for consideration.  The Senate previously passed it's Castle bill (SB 4) earlier in the session.

Another Full Agenda in Militia and Police Subcommittee 1 at 5:00 PM

As we draw closer to "crossover" committee agenda's are full.  Tonight's Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 is no exception. Included on the agenda tonight are:

H.B. 797 : Morrissey - Carrying a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; penalty.  Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person carrying a handgun in a public place while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and prohibits a person from obtaining a concealed handgun permit for five years following such a conviction. The prohibition applies regardless of whether the person is carrying the handgun openly or concealed. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to carry a concealed handgun in a public place while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but does not speak to openly carrying a handgun while under the influence.
 
H.B. 859: Gilbert - Criminal history record information check for transfer of certain firearms; exemption for concealed handgun permittees.  Provides an exemption from the required criminal history record information check upon firearms transfers in the Commonwealth for persons holding a valid Virginia-issued concealed handgun permit.

H.B. 1135: Ware, R.L. - Out-of-state concealed handgun permits; photo identification.  Removes certain requirements for an out-of-state concealed handgun permit to be recognized and accepted in Virginia. Requires an out-of-state permittee to carry and present a valid government-issued photo identification in order for his valid out-of-state concealed weapon permit to be recognized and accepted in Virginia.

H.B. 1197: McClellan - Lost or stolen firearms; failure to report; penalties.  Creates a Class 3 misdemeanor for the offense of failing to report to law enforcement that a firearm a person owns or lawfully possesses has been lost or stolen. Subsequent violations of the law would be a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for the knowingly false reporting of a lost or stolen firearm.
Impact Statements

H.B. 1223: Hope - Possession of weapons in legislative buildings. Except those lawfully possessing a handgun, no person shall possess a weapon in legislative buildings and all persons, except General Assembly members, staff or any law enforcement officer.

H.B. 1226: Patron - Torian - Regulating firearms by educational institution.  Provides that the board of visitors or other governing body of an educational institution has the power to establish rules and regulations for the possession or transportation of firearms or ammunition on property owned or operated by the institution.

H.B. 1257Sickles - Firearms; alcohol; penalties. Provides that it is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a person who is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs to carry a loaded firearm on or about his person in a public place and that a person found guilty is ineligible to apply for a concealed handgun permit for a period of five years. The bill also creates a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person who carries a loaded firearm on or about his person onto the premises of any restaurant or club licensed to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption and consume an alcoholic beverage while on the premises. The bill contains technical amendments.

Castle Doctrine Likely to Pass House of Delegates Today

Delegate Rob Richard "Dickie" Bell's Castle Doctrine Bill (HB 48) will likely easily pass on the House Floor today and advance to the Senate.  During yesterday's debate, opponents of the bill used some outlandish claims to argue against the bill.
Democrats railed against the measure, pointing to various scenarios in which it could be used to justify killing an ex-girlfriend, or even a Girl Scout.
Delegate Habeeb's HB 14, a bill that would provide civil immunity for using deadly force in self-defense in your home, is also on Third Reading today.  That bill too is expected to pass.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Range Safety Officer Course February 19th

VSSA Board Member Tom Ciarula will be teaching an NRA Range Safety Officer Course (RSO) at the Lynchburg IWLA Club on February 19.  The NRA Range Safety Officer Course develops NRA Certified Range Safety Officers with the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations.  Course is 9 hours, and starts at 8am. Lunch is available in the local area or you can bring your own.

Course Materials: All materials are provided. You do not need to bring anything except pen/pencil.

Course Fee: The course is $50 for IWLA Members and Active Scout Leaders, all others $80. Fees will be collected at the course; please bring cash or check. The course fee does not include the application and certification fee to the NRA. (This is not NRA membership; it is the RSO application.) .  To register for the course, click here.

Two Pro-rights Bills Set for Passage Today in House of Delegates

Today, the Virginia House of Delegates is scheduled to have its third and final readings for House Bill 25 and House Bill 754.
 
HB 25, sponsored by Delegate Mark Cole (R-88), seeks to prohibit the Clerk of the Court from disclosing information contained on a concealed handgun permit application or on an order issuing a concealed handgun permit.


Sponsored by Delegate Ben Cline (R-24), HB 754 would eliminate the local option to require fingerprints of first time concealed carry permit applicants.

Both bills are expected to pass and move on to the Senate.  The State Senate has already passed a companion bill (
SB 67) to HB 754.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

News Reports on Repeal of Handgun Rationing

Virginia newspapers have reports on yesterday's Senate vote repealing Virginia's one "gun-a-month" law.  Of particular note is this from the Richmond Times Dispatch:
On a 21-19 vote, the Virginia Senate passed legislation Monday to allow the purchase of more than one handgun a month, foretelling what is likely to be one of the most significant changes in Virginia's gun laws in 20 years.
The Washington Post (which covers Virginia news) spent much of its article sharing quotes from the other side:
Sen. Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax) warned that lifting the cap would earn the commonwealth a new slogan to go along with “Virginia is for lovers”: “Virginia, gun-runners’ paradise.”

“I just don’t know what good could possibly come of this,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax).
The Richmond Times Dispatch article included a photo of gun ban proponents Josh Horwitz and Lori Haas observing the vote.  The Virginian Pilot included this quote from Haas:
"Virginia has had more than its share of horrific tragedies perpetrated by criminals with easy access to firearms," said Lori Haas, whose daughter, Emily, survived the 2007 shooting massacre at Virginia Tech.

"It is a sad day when our legislators purposely make it easier for gun traffickers to do their dirty business."
Haas also took one of the two Democrats who voted for repeal to task - Senator John Edwards - whose district includes Virginia Tech.  Edwards responded that his vote reflected his views on gun rights and sited the mental health reforms he pushed after the Virginia Tech shootings.  He also noted he is opposed to restricting the ability for college campuses to control firearms on campuses.

Senator Saslaw had this little gem in his short remarks opposing the bill:
"If you need more than 240 handguns, I submit, something's wrong with you or something's gone terribly wrong with your life," Saslaw said during floor debate.
The Senate bill must be approved by the House of Delegates (as the companion House bill must be approved by the Senate) before they reach the Governor, who has said he will sign the bills.  Once signed, the repeal will be effective July 1, 2012.

Update: Here is the NPR report and Cam Edwards' interview with Senator Charles "Bill" Carrico, Sr., patron of SB 323.




Monday, February 6, 2012

State Senate Passes Repeal of Handgun Rationing

After a surprisingly brief debate, the Virginia State Senate voted to repeal Virginia's handgun rationing law 21-19.  Senators Marden (D-Fairfax), Howell (D-Fairfax) and Saslaw (D-Fairfac) spoke against the bill. Senator Carrico spoke for his bill with Senator Norment addressed the comments by Marsden and Howell, then after speaking basically for the bill, voted against passed.

This is a great day for Virginia gun owners as the House has already passed a bill to repeal the law, and Governor McDonnell has said he would sign a bill repealing the law.

Democrats Edwards and Deeds joined all Republicans except Norment who voted against the bill.

>

Friday, February 3, 2012

Repeal of Handgun Rationing Passed by for Day

As expected, the State Senate passed by for the day final consideration of SB 323, Senator Bill Carrico's bill to repeal Virginia's handgun rationing bill.  It is expected that the bill will be debated and a final vote on passage will be held on Monday, February 6.

Washington Post: Virginia Expected to Lift One-Per-Month Law Limiting Handgun Purchases

An air of inevitability seems to be setting in among those who oppose repealing Virginia's handgun rationing law.  Evidence this article in today's Washington Post.
This time around, with more conservative Republicans in the Senate, the bill made it out of committee. The full Senate passed it in a preliminary vote Thursday, one day after the House passed its own version of the measure. Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) has indicated that he will sign the legislation.
This is not to say that opponents of repealing the law are going away quietly.  They continue to dredge up the fear mongering we heard almost 20 years ago when the law was passed and signed into law.
Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax), who opposed the legislation, predicted that illegal gun-running will once again thrive in the commonwealth.

“We’re going to become the gun distribution center of the East Coast, just like we were before,” he said.
The gun ban lobby tells us it is thriving now, which is why they say we need to close the so-called "gun show loophole."

Some 40 bills related to firearms have been introduced this year, the vast majority advancing the rights of law abiding gun owners.  Most of these will pass and be signed into law.  It will be a good year for gun owners in the Commonwealth.

State Senate Convenes at 11:00 AM Today, Repeal of Gun Rationing on Third Reading

The State Senate will convene at 11:00 AM today.  SB 323, repeal of handgun rationing is on Third Reading Regular Calendar (bills that were not reported unanimously from committee).  It is likely all of the bills on Third Reading Regular Calendar will be passed by for the day so legislators can get home for the weekend, but it is no guaranteed.  VSSA will monitor the proceedings and will post as soon as action is taken.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Handgun Rationing Moved to Final Vote in Senate

SB 323, Senator Carrico's bill to repeal Virginia's handgun rationing bill, was moved to Third Reading (final vote) today in the Virginia Senate.  This sets up a likely final passage for Monday as the legislature tends to avoid controversial issues on Friday so they can get out of town for the weekend.  It is possible however that they may decide to debate and vote on the bill tomorrow.  What this blog and our Twitter feed tomorrow morning for updates. 

Castle Doctrine, Repeal of Fingerprinting CHP Applicants, Pass Senate

After a small amount of debate, SB4, Senator Stuart's bill codifying Castle Doctrine, passed the Senate 23-17.  Immediately after that vote, SB67, Senator Stanley's bill repealing the local option to fingerprint first-time concealed handgun permit holders, passed the Senate 26-14.  With the passage of Castle Doctrine, one of VSSA's two top priorities has passed the Senate and will likely pass the House.  Without counting our chickens before they hatch, this is the farthest the bill has ever gotten.

Legislative Update

Yesterday saw a number of pro-rights bills pass the House of Delegates, not least of which was the repeal of Virginia's handgun rationing law (HB 940).  In addition to HB 940, the other bills that passed were HB 20, a bill that clarifies Virginia's emergency powers statute to make it clear that not only may a citizen keep a firearm during a declared emergency, but they may also carry and transport the firearm(s) during such emergency.  Also passing was Delegate Coles HB 22, a bill that states before a locality may engage in compensated confiscation schemes ("gun buybacks") it must pass an ordinance allowing it to do so.

At the same time, the State Senate moved SB 4 (Castle Doctrine) and SB 67, a bill repealing fingerprinting of first time concealed handgun permit applicants, to Third Reading and a final vote which should take place today. SB 323, the Senate bill to repeal handgun rationing was passed by for the day in a stall tactic by anti-rights Senator Don McEachin (D-Richmond).

Also in the Senate yesterday, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee defeated SB 379 on a vote of 6-8, Senator McEachin's bill to outlaw all private sales.  Another bill patoned by Senator McEachin, SB 648, a bill that would add additional penalties for gun owners being in possession of a firearm while intoxicated, failed to report on a 7-7 vote.

This morning, House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee # 2 met and took up HB 237, which would allow long gun background checks to go through the federal NICS system rather than the state background system.  It was recommended reporting by a vote of 4-1 by the subcommittee.

This evening in Subcommittee #1 at 5:00 PM, the following bills will be heard:

HB 25: a bill that prohibits circuit courts from disseminating information related to concealed handgun permits.

HB 592: a bill that exempts CHP holders from state background checks when purchasing a firearm.  This bill is similar to HB 859.

HB 754: the House companion to SB 67 which removes the option for localities to require the fingerprinting of first-time CHP applicants.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Castle Doctrine, Repeal of CHP Fingerprinting Requirement Advance in Senate

Senate Bill 4 (Castle Doctrine) and Senate Bill 67 a bill to repeal the local option to fingerprint first time concealed handgun permit applicants, advanced to final passage in the State Senate today. A final vote is expected on Thursday, February 2nd.

House Passes Repeal of Handgun Rationing, Delay Tactic Employed in Senate

As expected, the House of Delegates passed HB940, a bill to repeal Virginia's handgun rationing law. The Final vote was 66 - 32.

In the Senate, SB 323 was engrossed and moved to Third Reading (final vote) but as the Senate was moving to bills on First Reading, anti-gun Senator Don McEachin (D-R) moved that the Senate reconsider the vote to engross and move the bill to Third Reading. That is generally a courtesy that is agreed to, and so it was today. Then McEachin moved the bill be passed by for the day. That motion was not objected to. This will likely delay the final vote. The gun ban lobby has been working furiously to muster the votes to defeat HB323. They are focusing on six senators, one of which voted for the bill in Senate Courts of Justice. Gun owners need to counter this with calls to the six targeted senators listed below.

Sen. Harry Blevins (R-14th) - (804) 698-7514 district14@senate.virginia.gov
Sen. John Watkins (R-10th) - (804) 698-7510 district10@senate.virginia.gov
Sen. Walter Stosch (R-12th) - (804) 698-7512 district12@senate.virginia.gov
Sen. Phillip Puckett (D- 38th) - (804) 698-7538 district38@senate.virginia.gov
Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-25th) - (804) 698-7525 district25@senate.virginia.gov
Sen. John Edwards (D-21st) - (804) 698-7521 district21@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Edwards voted for SB 323 in committee and Senator Deeds has expressed support for repealing the law in the past. Senator Watkins expressed his support for repealing the law recently but the anti-gun lobby is focusing on him and the other senators listed above. Please take a moment and contact the senators listed above and let them know that the one gun-a-month law only affects and penalizes law-abiding citizens and to please vote for SB 323.

Sunday Hunting in House Agriculture Subcommittee

House Bill 369, a bill to allow Sunday Hunting on private property by, or with permission of, the land owner, will be heard tonight in House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Subcommitte #3 (Natural Resources). The bill faces a more hostile welcome than it received in the State Senate. It is hoped that the fact that the bill acknowledges the concerns of land owners by restricting hunting on private property with the permission of the land owner, and restricts the use of dogs to hunt deer on Sundays, that it will have a better chance of making it to the full committee than it has in the past.

An identical bill passed the State Senate last week.

House to Pass Bill Repealing Handgun Rationing, Senate Likely to Follow Thursday

If all goes as scheduled, today, the House of Delegates will pass HB 940, a bill that would repeal Virginia's almost 20 year-old handgun rationing bill, and the State Senate will have the opportunity to follow on Thursday to pass SB 323, The Senate vote is expected to be close. The House vote is almost a foregone conclusion. But, if the Senate does pass SB323, Virginians are assured of the repeal of this worthless law as Governor McDonnell has stated numerous times that he would sign a repeal of the law.

In other action taking place in the General Assembly today, the in addition to SB 323, the State Senate will have on second reading today SB 4 (Castle Doctrine), and SB 67 (repealing fingerprinting of first-time CHP applicants).

In the House, in addition to HB 940, HB 22 (a bill that would restrict compensated confiscation-gun buyback- schemes) is scheduled for final passage.