Handgun Rationing, Other Gun Control Bills Die in Senate Courts

During a long afternoon meeting of Senate Courts, a number of gun control bills were defeated today, including a bill to reinstate handgun rationing (one handgun-a-month).  The following bills were defeated today:

• SB653 Requiring someone to have expressed permission to carry in church.
• SB 742 Prohibits any person from importing, selling, bartering, or transferring a firearms magazine designed to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition stricken from the docket 
• SB434, Bill requiring a 15 year waiting period for a felon whose other rights have been restored to be able to petition for gun rights restoration. 
• SB811 Protective orders; possession of firearms; surrender or transfer of firearms.
• SB155 Allows a locality to adopt an ordinance that prohibits firearms, ammunition, or components or a combination thereof at any regular or special meeting of such local governing body. Defeated.
• SB442 Provides that any person who leaves a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any person under the age of 18 is guilty of a Class 6 felony. 
• SB385 Reinstating One Handgun-a-month.

Several Pro-gun bills failed to advance:

• SB351 Firearms in locked vehicles; immunity from liability. Passed by for the year.
• HB338 Allows a person who may lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition for a firearm to carry a firearm or ammo for a firearm into an area courthouse that is being used exclusively for purposes other than judicial proceedings outside of the courthouse's normal hours. PBI 12-1
• SB493 Allows any person who possesses a valid Virginia concealed handgun permit or a concealed handgun permit from another state that is recognized by Virginia to carry a concealed handgun at public institutions of higher education. PBI 8-6

There were a couple of pro-gun bills that were reported or reported and referred to Finance:

• SB372 Repeals the statutory prohibition on carrying a gun, pistol, bowie knife, dagger, or other dangerous weapon, without good and sufficient reason, to a place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held at such place. Reported 9-6
• SB350 Extends from five to 15 years the validity of a concealed handgun permit. Reports 15-1 and referred to Finance

Two additional bill were heard and advanced:

• SB79 Adds public, private, or religious preschools and child day centers to list of places firearms prohibited. Reported 9-6 and referred to finance.
• SB797 Protective orders; possession of firearms; penalty. This bill passed last year but died in Finance. Reported and referred to Finance 12-3

While the Senate has taken up the bulk of the gun related bills, the House has yet to schedule hearings for the bills in the lower chamber.  VSSA's legislative team continues to work with legislators.  I'll be on NRATV at 4:20 Thursday to discuss today's meeting and legislative results today.  Also, and updates will be posted here on the blog.