Two More Pro-rights Bills Introduced at General Assembly

Democratic Delegate Joe Johnson (Abingdon) has introduced two pro-rights bills just a couple of days before the start of the General Assembly.

HB 1821 Attempts again to repeal the ban on carrying concealed in a restaurant serving alcohol. Last year a bill made it to the desk of Governor Tim Kaine but was vetoed by him. This bill requires a person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of a restaurant or club to inform a designated employee of the restaurant or club of that fact and prohibits the person from consuming alcohol. A person who consumes alcohol in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor and a person who becomes intoxicated in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

HB 1822 exempts concealed handgun permit holders from the prohibition of carrying a firearm on to the property of a public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school.

It could be tough going for both bills but of the two, I would give HB1821 a better chance of making through the legislative process it but will likely be vetoed again by Kaine. As always, VSSA will work for passage of all bills that restore and expand the rights of law abiding gun owners and defeat the anti-rights bills.