Today's Senate Courts Activity

Today, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted to approve four firearm related bills. These bills will now go to the full Senate.

Please contact your Senator and respectfully urge them to support the following bills.

Approved by a vote of 8-7 House Bill 8, would allow the renewal of concealed carry permits by mail. The Senate version, SB3 was approved by the Senate before crossover on a vote of 29 to 11. 

Approved by a unanimous vote, House Bill 637, would exempt a boarding team member or boarding team officer in the United States Coast Guard from the concealed handgun permit issuance fee, provided they have completed 15 years of service or reached the age of 55.  

Approved by a vote of 10-5 House Bill 871, would clarify that a person who is applying for a concealed handgun permit for the first time has the same right to an oral hearing if the permit is denied as a person who has previously held a concealed handgun permit. The Senate version, SB533, was approved in the Senate by a vote of 32-8. 

Also approved by a unanimous vote, House Bill 1256, would provide that certain law-enforcement officers with at least 20 years of service who resign from their position in good standing to accept a position covered by the Virginia Retirement System, shall be eligible to carry a concealed handgun if he or she has received written proof of consultation with and favorable review of the need to carry a concealed handgun, issued by the chief law-enforcement officer of the agency from which the officer resigned.