Sunday Hunting at the General Assembly

Just before Crossover, the State Senate passed the Senate companion to the Sunday Hunting legislation that had already passed the House of Delegates. Yesterday, I spoke with Cam Edwards on NRANews' Cam and Company on The Sportsman Channel.

Virginia State Senate Committee Kills Two Pro-gun Bills

I tweeted the results of yesterday's Senate Courts of Justice Committee but this Augusta Free Press article gives a little more detail.  To recap, there were three House bills before the committee; HB878, HB705, and HB962.   HB962 clarified that for purposes of the exception to the prohibition against carrying a concealed weapon in a secured container or compartment in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel, the term "compartment" includes a console, glove compartment, or any other area within or on the vehicle or vessel that possesses the ability to be closed. The bill also provides that the term "secured" does not require that a container or compartment be locked, but merely closed.  That bill was reported to the full Senate.  

HB878 requires that when certification of a chief law-enforcement officer is required by federal law for transfer of a firearm, as defined in the National Firearms Act, such certification must be provided within 30 days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the firearm. If the applicant is prohibited by law from receiving the firearm, the chief law-enforcement officer or his designee shall provide written notification to the applicant stating the reason for the prohibition. That bill was defeated on a party line vote, which included the usually pro-gun State Senator John Edwards voting against gun owners. 

Finally, HB705 would eliminate certain requirements for an out-of-state concealed handgun permit to be recognized in Virginia and provides that such a permit authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a concealed handgun so long as the permit holder carries a valid government-issued photo identification and presents that identification to any law-enforcement officer upon request.  Again, on a party line vote, this bill failed, with Senator Edwards turning his back on gun owners again.

Vehemently anti-rights and co-chairman of the committee, State Senator Don McEachin (D-Richmond) resorted to hyperbole to describe the actions of the Democrats:

“Pro-gun advocates keep saying: enforce the laws on the books. Today, we acted to keep some of the protections we already have in Virginia from being chipped away. After all, if we have a high standard for the legal sale of bombs, grenades, or rockets, why make it easier to buy them?” said Senator McEachin of the Committee’s votes today. “Once again, Democrats chose commonsense, pragmatic governing as opposed to adherence to a rigid ideology.”

Important Firearm Bills to be Heard in Senate Courts on Wednesday

With today being Crossover (when each chamber may only take up bills originating in the other chamber), Senate Courts of Justice will hear three important firearm related bills 1/2 hour after the Senate adjourns.  The bills are:

H.B. 705 Concealed handgun permits; eliminates certain requirements for an out-of-state permit.

Patron: Gilbert

Out-of-state concealed handgun permits. Eliminates certain requirements for an out-of-state concealed handgun permit to be recognized in Virginia and provides that such a permit authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a concealed handgun so long as the permit holder carries a valid government-issued photo identification and presents that identification to any law-enforcement officer upon request.

H.B. 878 Firearms, certain; certification by chief law-enforcement officer within 30 days of request.

Patron: LaRock

Law-enforcement certification of certain firearms. Requires that when certification of a chief law-enforcement officer is required by federal law for transfer of a firearm, as defined in the National Firearms Act, such certification must be provided within 30 days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the firearm. If the applicant is prohibited by law from receiving the firearm, the chief law-enforcement officer or his designee shall provide written notification to the applicant stating the reason for the prohibition. The definition of "firearm" includes machine guns, rifles and shotguns of a certain length, weapons made from certain rifles or shotguns, silencers, and destructive devices.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-295.1, relating to law-enforcement certification of certain firearms.

H.B. 962 Concealed handgun; carrying in a secured container or compartment in vehicle.

Patron: Cline

Carrying concealed handgun; secured container or compartment in vehicle. Provides that for purposes of the exception to the prohibition against carrying a concealed weapon in a secured container or compartment in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel, the term "compartment" includes a console, glove compartment, or any other area within or on the vehicle or vessel that possesses the ability to be closed. The bill also provides that the term "secured" does not require that a container or compartment be locked, but merely closed.

It is important that you contact members of the committee now and urge them to vote to report the bills. The committee make-up is much different than when some pro-rights Senate bills were reported earlier this session.  Now, the committee is co-chaired by two vehemently anti-rights Senators from the City of Richmond.  Contact information for the committee members can be seen by clicking on the names below.

Marsh (Co-Chair), McEachin (Co-Chair), Saslaw, Norment, Howell, Lucas, Edwards, Puller, Obenshain, McDougle, Petersen,Stuart, Vogel, Stanley, Wexton

Lifetime Carry Permits Moving in State Senate

State Senator Charles Carrico's SB 608 which would create lifetime concealed handgun permits was unanimously reported from Senate Finance yesterday.  Amazingly, this bill is moving much faster in the Senate than it is in the House of Delegates where it has come up twice in subcommittee and still has not moved out.

SB 608 (like HB 736) would change the application process from the local Clerk of the Circuit Court to the State Police, and would make the fee for the first time applicant $100.  An individual with a current permit would pay $50 at renewal, with the renewal becoming a lifetime permit.

SB 608 is likely to be on the Senate calendar for a final vote on Friday or Monday.  Because it will be on the Uncontested Calendar, a vote is possible on Friday.

Virginian Pilot Laments Demise of Gun Control Legislation at General Assembly

In an editorial entitled "Prudent gun laws turned back again," the Virginian Pilot complains about the House of Delegates dispatching the annual list of gun control legislation:

Universal background checks for gun purchases have broad support just about everywhere except Virginia's General Assembly.

Meanwhile, local law enforcement officials may soon lose all discretion when it comes to regulating where urban residents can have federally restricted firearms, including machine guns, grenades and short-barrel shotguns and rifles.

Both are part of a long-standing pattern of hostility, in the House of Delegates especially, to even the most modest efforts to keep weapons out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them.

It should be noted that while they aimed their disgust at the House of Delegates, gun control legislation has met the same fate in the State Senate.

And they don't miss the chance to repeat the misleading statistic that 91% of the public supports unversal background checks. Never mind that so-called "universal" background checks would not have stopped any of the recent high profile shootings in the last year.

JMU Professor Predicts Gun Bills Pro and Anti Not Going Far in General Assembly

Both the State Senate and the House of Delegates have dispatched most all of the gun control bills introduced this year.  It has been slow going for pro-rights bills.  Dr. Bob Roberts, a Political Analyst at James Madison University believes that neither side will gain any ground this year in the General Assembly.  WHSV TV3 in Harrisonburg ran this story yesterday.

A new dynamic has been introduced into the mix however with Democrats taking over the State Senate this week.  VSSA's lobbyist told me earlier today that the Senate has changed and not for the better.  All House bills will now go to the Senate Rules Committee rather than the Clerk of the Senate for assignment to Senate committees.  It is believed this will allow bills passed by the more conservative House of Delegates that the Senate Leadership (or even the Governor) does not like, to die.

Things have changed overnight and it is anyone's guess what the outcome will be.  VSSA is watching this very closely and will let members and gun owners know when action is needed.

VA Senate Democrats May Try to Revive Gun Control Bills

Elections have consequences and the election of Democrat Ralph Northam as Lt. Governor has switched control of the evenly divided State Senate to the Democrats.  This control was cemented when Delegate Linwood Lewis won Northam's vacated seat by a total of 11 votes after the recount.  Now, according to the Roanoke Times, Democrats are looking for ways to revive bills defeated earlier this session when Republicans and a majority on nine committees, including gun control bills.

And gun control bills like SB 520, which was defeated Monday in the Courts of Justice Committee, could also be resurrected with a new, 9-6 Democratic majority on the panel.

That measure, sponsored by Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Richmond, would create a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person who is not a licensed dealer to sell, rent, trade or transfer a firearm to any other person who is not a licensed dealer.

“There definitely are bills that are important to our core constituency,” said McEachin, the architect of Tuesday’s takeover.

Typically, to revive a bill killed in committee, someone who voted on the prevailing side (in this case the side that killed the bill) would have to move to reconsider the vote.  Doubtful that any of the Republicans on the committee would do that and the one pro-rights Democrat, John Edwards has been a good friend to gun owners and he is the only Democrat who voted on the prevailing side and could move to reconsider the vote.  Though this does not mean there are not other slights of hand the anti-rights Democrats could try.

Legislative Update

Gun owners have fared well so far in the two legislative committees that have heard firearm related bills.  The House Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee has defeated bills that would have banned out of state residents from purchasing long guns, banned standard capacity ammunition magazines, required private sales to undergo background checks, and prohibited firearms from legislative buildings.

Senate Courts of Justice met yesterday and also defeated some bills related to background checks on private firearm sales.  Unfortunately, they also all but killed a bill that would have exempted concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders from background checks at the time of a firearm purchase - carrying the bill over to next year.  Typically, that is the way the legislature kills bills without having to taking a vote to do so.

Sunday Hunting cleared a major hurdle on Wednesday when HB1237 was reported out of committee on a vote of 12-10. The bill has never made it out of subcommittee in the past.  This year it was heard by the full committee.  HB1237 would allow Virginians to hunt on private property with the permission of the land owner, but would prohibit the use of dogs for deer and bear, and prohibit hunting within 200 yards of a House of Worship.  The bill moves to the full House and will likely be debated Friday or Monday.  VSSA knows that this issue divides the hunting community, but HB1237 is a good compromise that allows those who cannot hunt the other six days of the week due to work and family responsibilities, the opportunity to hunt if they have access to private land.

The good news is that gun control bills are still being defeated in both the State Senate and the House of Delegates.  We will have to wait to see if we can get good bills out of the State Senate and on Governor McAuliffe's desk.

The House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 will take up two bills today - Lifetime CHPs and exemption from background checks at the time of a firearm purchase for CHP holders.  VSSA will give live results via Twitter.  You can also track the progress of legislation on the VSSA Legislative Tracking Form.

Sunday Hunting Bill Moves to House Floor

This morning, on a vote of 12-10, the House Agriculture Committee reported HB 1237, Delegate Todd Gilbert's bill to allow Sunday Hunting on private property.  It is expected that the bill be be debated in the full House of Delegates on Monday.  This is a good first step but the opposition will have the entire weekend to work members in an attempt to attach amendments to weaken or kill the bill.  Please contact you member of the House of Delegates and urge them to vote yes on this important property rights and pro-hunting piece of legislation.

Virginia Sunday Hunting Hearing Wednesday In Full House Agriculture Committee

This Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. HB 1237,a bill to allow Sunday hunting on private land, will be heard in the House Committee on Agriculture. This is the first time the bill has been set to be heard in the full committee, having been killed in Subcommittee with litte to no hearing in the past.  This is an issue that has divided  the hunting community in Virginia for years, with as many hunters supporting the ban as opposing it.  There is a large portion of the hound hunting community that has worked hard to keep the ban.  This bill however is a property rights issue.  It only allows hunting on Sunday on private property so it would not affect those who like to have Sundays to ride horses or bird watching, because the hunting would not be done on public land.

 

VSSA supports lifting the ban on Sunday hunting.  Twenty years ago there were a half million hunters in Virginia.  Now, there are about half that number.  With the economy being what it is, many people work two jobs and have to work Saturdays.  Allowing Sunday hunting on private property would go a long way to giving those folks an option to hunt.

 

We need your help to contact Delegates on the committee as soon as possible and tell them you support Sunday hunting on private land. Every hunter should support this measure if they want new generations to have the option to hunt in the future. Hunting license sales have dropped from 500,000 in the mid-1970s to 300,000 today. If we don't increase license sales, our hunting tradition will be lost. The only way to promote license sales is by creating more time for hunters to hunt.

Whether you speak to the legislator, an aide, leave a voicemail or write a letter, be firm but polite. Tell them why you want Sunday hunting, in your own words. And be certain to mention that if the number of hunters continue to decline, the sport will be soon be gone, and that Sunday hunting is the best means available to bring more people into the sport. Get your family and friends to call/email/write as well. It makes a big difference.

Please contact delegates on the committee today!
Urge them to support Sunday hunting!

• Delegate Tony Wilt - Rockingham County, Harrisonburg City
  Phone: (804) 698-1026, Email: DelTWilt@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Charles Poindexter - Franklin County, Henry County, Patrick County
  Phone: (804) 698-1009, DelCPoindexter@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Matthew Fariss - Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell and Nelson Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1059, Email: DelMFariss@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Daniel Marshall - Henry County, Pittsylvania County, Danville City
  Phone: (804) 698-1014, Email: DelDMarshall@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Robert Orrock - Caroline and Spotsylvania Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1054, Email: DelBOrrock@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Thomas Wright - Amelia, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and Nottoway Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1061, Email: DelTWright@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Edward Scott - Culpeper, Madison and Orange Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1030, Email: DelEScott@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Luke Torian - Prince William County
  Phone: (804) 698-1052, Email: DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate R. Lee Ware - Chesterfield, Fluvanna, Goochland and Powhatan Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1065, Email: DelLWare@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Brenda Pogge - James City and York County
  Phone: (804) 698-1096, Email: DelBPogge@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Barry Knight - Chesapeake and Virginia Beach
  Phone: (804) 698-1081, Email: DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate James Edmunds - Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, Prince Edward Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1060, Email: DelJEdmunds@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Will Morefield - Bland, Buchanan, Russell and Tazewell Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1003, Email: DelJMorefield@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Michael Webert (co-patron) - Culpeper, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Warren Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1018, Email: DelMWebert@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Margaret Ransone - Caroline, King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland Counties
  Phone: (804) 698-1099, Email: DelMRansone@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Jackson Miller - Prince William County, City of Manassas
  Phone: (804) 698-1050, Email: DelJMiller@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Ken Plum - Fairfax County
  Phone: (804) 698-1036, Email: DelKPlum@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Lynwood Lewis - Accomack, Northampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach
  Phone: (804) 698-1000, Email: DelLLewis@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate David Bulova - Fairfax City and County
  Phone: (804) 698-1037, Email: DelDBulova@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Mark Sickles - Fairfax County
  Phone: (804) 698-1043, Email: DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Luke Torian - Prince William County
  Phone: (804) 698-1052, Email: DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov
  
• Delegate Mark Keam - Fairfax County
  Phone: (804) 698-1035, Email: DelMKeam@house.virginia.gov

Virginia Democrats Push for Gun Control at General Assembly

A list of bills on the VSSA web site shows that the usual suspects are at work again at the Virginia General Assembly.  Today, a group of Democrats outlined their agenda which was covered by the Associated Press.  The legislators in attendance said they are hopeful they can enact new restrictions they say are only targeting criminals and the mentally ill.  Don't bet on it.

The proposals, outlined Wednesday at the Capitol, would require background checks for all commercial gun purchases and ban gun ownership for five years for individuals convicted of stalking or violent sex crimes.

The proposals are modeled after recommendations made on December 2nd at a gun control consortium presentation at UVA.  It's the same old proposals repackaged to look like they are new.

Firearm Bills to Be Heard in Militia Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 Thursday

The following bills will be heard in the Militia Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 on Thursday at 4:00 PM in the 4th Floor West Conference Room of the General Assembly Building:

HB 61 Firearms; purchase and sale of rifles or shotguns, penalties. VSSA Opposes

HB 100 Concealed handgun permits; references to issuance of handgun before July 1, 2008. VSSA Supports

HB 357 Concealed handgun permit applicant; access to information. VSSA Supports

HB 448 Firearms; restoration of rights, report to State Police. VSSA Supports

HB 535 Firearms; criminal history record information check on transferee; penalties. VSSA Opposes

HB 695 Concealed handgun permit; changes to types of firearms safety courses. VSSA Opposes

HB 705 Concealed handgun permits; eliminates certain requirements for an out-of-state permit. VSSA Supports

HB 736 Concealed handgun permits, lifetime; Department of State Police to issue, penalty. VSSA Supports

HB 809 Prohibition of sale, transfer, etc., of certain firearms magazines; fine. VSSA Opposes

HB 810 Firearms; willful discharge, penalty. VSSA Opposes

HB 812 Firearms; criminal history record information checks for sales, penalty.VSSA Opposes

HB 823 Firearms; transfer at gun shows, voluntary background check. VSSA Opposes

HB 828 Concealed handgun permits; completion of firearms safety courses. VSSA Neutral

HB 878 Firearms, certain; law-enforcement officer certification. VSSA Supports

HB 962 Concealed handgun; carrying in a secured container or compartment in vehicle. VSSA Supports

HB 992 Firearms; prohibited in libraries owned or operated by localities. VSSA Opposes

HB 1055 Concealed handgun permits; completion of firearms safety courses. VSSA Neutral

HB 1118 Criminal background check for transfer of firearms; exemption for holders of concealed carry permits VSSA Supports.

Gun owners who can are encouraged to attend and should where business attire.  VSSA's lobbyist will be in attendance and has been working committee members ahead of the meeting.  Check the blog on Thursday for results of the meeting.

Firearm Bills Start Flowing at General Assembly

With the first day of the 2014 Session of the General Assembly behind us, here is a look at some of the more important firearm related bills VSSA will be working over the next two months.  Be sure to check this blog, the VSSA Twitter feed, and the VSSA Facebook Page for updates.  Bills will continue to be introduced until Friday January 17th.  The below list will grow and it is expected that a number of additional anti-rights bills will be introduced before next Friday. 

One final note; if your membership is about to expire, please take a moment now to renew so we can continue to include you in our voice to the General Assembly.  Because of you, we beat back all of the anti-rights bills last year and even passed a few good bills.  We need you to help us again this year.  And by renewing now, you will help save VSSA valuable resources that would be used on postage to send a renewal notice.

Pro-rights Bills:

HB 8 - Fees for concealed handgun permits. Decreases the local law-enforcement background investigation fee from $35 to $10, which includes any amount assessed by the FBI for providing criminal history record information. The total amount assessed for processing an application for a permit is thereby decreased from $50 to $25.  
 

HB 21 - School boards; employee firearms training. Requires every school board in the Commonwealth to designate at least one qualified person for every school in the district who, upon application with the school board, may carry a concealed handgun on school property. The bill requires all designated persons, including certain school division employees, certain school volunteers who carry valid concealed handgun permits, and certain retired law-enforcement officers, to be certified and trained by the Virginia Center for School Safety or the National Rifle Association in the storage, use, and handling of a concealed handgun. The bill also outlines the training requirements for designated persons as designed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.  
 

HB114 - Possession of firearm, etc., on school property; private or religious schools. Eliminates the crimes of possession on the property of a private or religious elementary, middle, or high school; a school bus owned or operated by such school; or any property being used for functions or extracurricular activities sponsored by such school of a stun weapon, knife, or other weapon (currently a Class 1 misdemeanor) or a firearm (currently a Class 6 felony). The bill does not affect the criminal penalties for the possession of such weapons on public school property. 
 

HB127 - Use of muzzleloading pistols. Allows persons to hunt big game with muzzleloading pistols of a caliber of .45 or greater where and in those seasons when the use of muzzlelooading rifles is permitted. The bill authorizes the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries to adopt regulations that specify the types of muzzleloading pistols and projectiles and propellants that can be used. The bill contains technical amendments.  
 

HB317 - Prohibition on weapons at airport; exception for concealed handgun. Provides that a person who holds a valid concealed handgun permit may lawfully possess or transport a concealed handgun into any air carrier airport terminal.  
 

HB357 - Concealed handgun permit applicant; access to information. Allows a clerk of a circuit court to disclose information contained in a concealed handgun permit application to the applicant. Currently, the clerk may not disclose such information to anyone except for a law-enforcement officer acting in the performance of his official duties.  
 

HB639 - Concealed handgun permits; residents of the Commonwealth. Allows any resident of the Commonwealth who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun within the Commonwealth (commonly referred to as Constitutional Carry).  
 

HB644 - Concealed handgun permits; lifetime permits. Provides for the issuance of concealed handgun permits for Virginia residents that do not expire. Currently, such permits must be renewed every five years.  
 

HB646 - Replacement concealed handgun permits. Provides that no fees shall be charged for the issuance of a replacement concealed handgun permit because the permit holder has changed his address (currently subject to a maximum fee of $10) or to replace a lost or destroyed permit (currently subject to a maximum fee of $5). 
 

HB705 - Out-of-state concealed handgun permits. Eliminates certain requirements for an out-of-state concealed handgun permit to be recognized in Virginia and provides that such a permit authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a concealed handgun so long as the permit holder carries a valid government-issued photo identification and presents that identification to any law-enforcement officer upon request. 
 

HB714 - Renewal of concealed handgun permit; no fees required. Provides that a person who has previously been issued a concealed handgun permit does not have to pay any fees to renew such permit.  
 

HB736 - Lifetime concealed handgun permits; Department of State Police to issue; penalty. Provides for the issuance of concealed handgun permits that do not expire to Virginia residents upon payment of a one-time fee of $100, except that the fee for a person currently holding an unexpired permit is $50. Currently, the fee for issuing such permits is $50, and the permits must be renewed every five years with an additional $50 fee charged each time. Such lifetime permits will include a photograph of the permittee.  
 

HB752 - Student expulsion; pneumatic guns. Removes pneumatic guns from the list of weapons that require a school board to expel from school attendance for a period of not less than one year any student whom such school board has determined to have possessed such a weapon on school property or at a school-sponsored activity.  
 

SB368 - Regulation of transportation of a loaded rifle or shotgun. Provides that lawful concealed carry permit holders shall not be subject to the provisions of certain local ordinances that make it unlawful for any person to transport, possess, or carry a loaded shotgun or loaded rifle in any vehicle on any public street, road, or highway within such locality.  
 

SB396 - Criminal background check for transfer of firearms; exemption for holders of concealed handgun permits. Provides that a licensed firearms dealer does not have to have a criminal background check performed to determine a person's eligibility to purchase a firearm if the purchaser possesses a valid concealed handgun permit and presents a photo-ID issued by an agency of the Commonwealth or the Department of Defense.  
 

Anti-Rights Bills: 
 

HB48 - Possession of firearms following conviction of certain crimes; penalty. Prohibits any person who is convicted of stalking, sexual battery, or assault and battery of a family member that results in serious bodily injury from possessing, transporting, or carrying a firearm or any other weapon for a period of five years following his conviction. A violation would constitute a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides for the forfeiture of any weapon possessed, transported, or carried in violation of the prohibition. Finally, the bill provides for a process by which a violator may petition the circuit court for a reinstatement of his rights to possess, transport, or carry a weapon. (the pupose of bills like this is to take us down the road to California where some 40 different misdemeanor crimes can cause someone to lose their 2nd Amendment rights). 
 

HB61 - Firearms; purchase and sale of rifles or shotguns; penalties. Prohibits the sale of any rifle, shotgun, or assault rifle by a federally licensed firearms dealer to any out-of-state resident. Under current law, out-of-state residents may purchase rifles, shotguns, or assault rifles from licensed dealers in the Commonwealth provided certain background checks have been passed. Also, the bill moves language regarding driver's license designations from Title 18.2, Crimes and Offenses Generally, to Title 46.2, Motor Vehicles, with no substantive change to the language. The bill contains technical amendments.  
 

HB129 - Explosive material; method of ignition. Adds high impact velocity to the methods of ignition contained in the definition of "explosive material." It is a Class 5 felony to possess materials that may be used to manufacture explosive materials or to manufacture, transport, distribute, possess, or use explosive materials. (You may be asking why? Because this would make a substance commonly used in exploding targets illegal.  Exploding targets are used safely by many shooters). 
 

HB535 - Transfer of firearms; criminal history record information check; penalties. Adds a definition of "firearms show vendor" and requires that a criminal history record information check be performed on the prospective transferee before the vendor may transfer firearms at a gun show. Under current law, only licensed dealers must obtain such a check. The bill also requires that the promoter of a firearms show provide vendors access to licensed dealers who will conduct the criminal history record information check.  
 

HB695 - Concealed handgun permit; firearms safety course; nonresident permits. Makes various changes to the types of training courses permitted to satisfy the requirement to display competence with a handgun to obtain a resident or nonresident concealed handgun permit, including (i) requiring that a National Rifle Association (NRA) or Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) course focus on the use and handling of a concealed handgun; (ii) requiring that a law-enforcement course be a handgun training course rather than a firearms safety course; and (iii) requiring that online NRA or DCJS training courses be synchronous. The bill also requires that applicants for a nonresident concealed handgun permit possess a valid concealed handgun permit from their state of residence and provide a copy of that permit with their application. 
 

HR7 - Rules of the House of Delegates. Prohibits firearms on the floor of the House of Delegates.  
 

SB39 - Transfer of firearms; criminal history record information check; penalties. Adds a definition of "firearms show vendor" and requires that a criminal history record information check be performed on the prospective transferee before the vendor may transfer firearms at a gun show. In order to be a "firearms show vendor" the person must have paid or given other thing of value to the promoter for the opportunity to sell guns at the gun show. Under current law, only licensed dealers must obtain such a check. The bill also requires that the promoter of a firearms show provide vendors access to licensed dealers who will conduct the criminal history record information check.
 

SB65 - Brendon's Law; celebratory gunfire; penalty. Provides that any person who willfully discharges a firearm with no discernible or designated target within or into the limits of any city or town or within two miles of any occupied building and such conduct results in the death of another person is guilty of an offense punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than five nor more than 40 years. The bill also provides that such conduct that does not result in the death of another but does result in bodily injury to another person is a Class 3 felony. Finally, the bill provides that such conduct that does not result in the death or bodily injury to another is a Class 6 felony. (This bill is a response to the tragedy that occurred on July 4th where some idiot apparently fired into the air and the bullet came down and struck a young boy walking to a fireworks show.  It is already against the law to discharge a firearm in an unsafe manner such as occurred in Chesterfield that night).
 

SB287 - Transfer of firearms; penalty. Provides that any person who sells or otherwise transfers a firearm to a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm by state or federal law is guilty of a Class 6 felony if the transferor does not obtain a background check from a licensed firearms dealer.  (It is already illegal, and a felony to "willfully and intentionally" sell a firearm to a prohibited person.  The bill also creates a registry of firearms similar to what Manchin, Schumer, Toomey did by basically cooercing private sellers to go through an FFL for a background check in order to protect themselves - and requires the licensed retailer to list the purchase in his records similar to what is required of FFLs by ATF).
 

SB377 - Firearm transfers to dealers; penalty. Requires firearm dealers to go through a process administered by the Department of State Police to determine whether a firearm that is being transferred to the dealer by a person other than a dealer, importer, or manufacturer can be lawfully transferred. The bill has an effective date of January 1, 2015.

 

2014 General Assembly Convenes

The 2014 Session of the Virginia General Assembly convenes today at Noon and VSSA's lobbyist is there and ready to defend your rights.  There are currently just under 20 firearm related bills pre-filed.  Be sure to check this blog, the VSSA Twitter feed, and the VSSA Facebook Page daily for updates.  The VSSA Legislative Tracking Form will be posted on the website by the weekend.

This year is the long session (60 days) so while legislators have a little more time to take up legislation, things will still move fast.  This year is expected to be as busy as last year with the anti-rights lobby turning to states to try and do what they could not do at the federal level.

Bill Introduced to Reduce CHP Fee by Half

Delegate Lee Ware has introduced House Bill 8 which would reduce the application fee to apply and renew a Concealed Handgun Permit from $50 to $25.

Bill Allowing Firearms at Private and Religious Schools Prefiled at General Assembly

Delegate Mark Cole has introduced HB114 that would repeal the prohibition for possession of a firearm on the property of a private or religious elementary, middle, or high school.  It would also apply to a school bus owned or operated by such school; or any property being used for functions or extracurricular activities sponsored by such school of a stun weapon, knife, or other weapon (currently a Class 1 misdemeanor) or a firearm (currently a Class 6 felony). The bill does not affect the criminal penalties for the possession of such weapons on public school property.

Should the bill pass, it will be good news for parents who have children attending private schools in that they would be able to carry their self-defense firearm when attending activities at the school or picking up the children at school.  It would also open the opportunity for private schools who want to allow teachers and staff to carry while at school.

Democrat Charlottesville Delegate David Toscano Says Gun Control is Unlikely to Pass

While Toscano supports gun control, he told attendees at a constituents forum held at UVA yesterday that it is unlikely to pass the General Assembly this year. Mental Health was also a hot topic of discussion and Delegate Rob Bell said instead of passing gun control, the Commonwealth needs to continue making sure mental health information is included in background check databases. Since the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, Virginia has led the nation in reporting mental health related information to the NICS.

Another Anti-Rights Bill Pre-filed At General Assembly

Other than being just one more bill aimed at firearms in some small way, I just don't know why a legislator introduces a bill like this.  The summary of House Bill 102 states that it would prohibit the possession of weapons in legislative buildings except by any person who lawfully possesses a handgun.  Then we go to the actual bill and we see:

With the exception of any person who lawfully possesses a handgun, no person shall possess any weapon set forth in subsection A of § 18.2-308 while in the Capitol of Virginia or in any other building owned by the Commonwealth and used predominantly for the conduct of the business of the General Assembly.

The code section referenced in the bill sets out those items that cannot be carried concealed as the one being prohibited.  Those weapons are:

any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart.

It's also any firearm other than a handgun because Virginia's concealed carry permits are specifically for handguns.  So, the question is, just how many people have carried any of the above into a General Assembly Building and attempted harm with said item?

Bill to Ban Out-of-State Sale of Long Guns Introduced at General Assembly

Delores McQuinn has introduced HB 61 for the 2014 General Assembly.  The bill would prohibit the sale of any rifle, shotgun, or "assault rifle" by a federally licensed firearms dealer to any out-of-state resident. Currently, out-of-state residents may purchase long guns from licensed retailers in the Commonwealth.  This appears to be in response to the Navy Yard incident where the shooter purchased his firearms from a licensed retailer in Virginia.  VSSA will strongly oppose this bill and we urge gun owners to let their Delegate know your thoughts on this legislation.

Gun Ban Lobby Looking to Make Firearms an Issue in 2014

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) sent our a fundraising email last night with the subject line "Two Huge Projects":

Next year is going be huge. We have two major projects we need your help on:

1. Make guns a salient voting issue in the 2014 election. This past spring, 45 members of the U.S. Senate blocked a bill to expand background checks—a policy that 90% of American voters support. In next November's midterm elections, we have an opportunity to make gun safety legislation a prominent issue. We have a real chance to elect the champions of this issue and defeat its opponents. We saw this strategy work this year in Virginia, where gun violence prevention advocates swept all three statewide races after we used protests, earned media, and ads to put our issues at the center of the debate. We know we can do it again. Will you contribute $20 to help change the debate on the gun issue in the 2014 election?

2. "Dangerousness" legislation. CSGV has pioneered a new approach to stopping potential mass shooters who have glaring red flags in their background from legally purchasing guns. Our strategy? Focusing on evidence of “dangerousness”—a past history of violent misdemeanor convictions or domestic abuse, for example. The idea is to prohibit troubled individuals from buying guns before they ever do harm. We are already working with federal and state lawmakers to sponsor legislation to put our strategy into action. We want to move forward with this initiative and others in the new year. Will you help us by donating today to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence? Thank you so much for your continued support. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Here's to a safer America in 2014!

Sincerely,

Josh Horwitz
Executive Director
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

The second part of this is related to the strategy laid out at the UVA gun control forum on December 2nd.  It is looking like 2014 will be as active as 2013 was in fighting off the gun ban lobby at the General Assembly.