New Virginia Gun Laws Effective Sunday, July 1st

Sunday, July 1st, is the day laws passed by the General Assembly during the 2012 Session will take affect.  Most important among them is the repeal of gun rationing and repealing the requirement that first time concealed handgun permit applicants be fingerprinted.  Here is the complete list:

HB 20 - Emergency Services & Disaster Law; shall not be interpreted to prohibit carrying, etc., of firearms.
HB 22 - Firearms; disposition thereof acquired by localities (requires localities to pass an ordinance allowing engage in a compensated confiscation scheme).
HB 26 - Concealed handgun permit; failure to produce upon demand of a law-enforcement officer, penalty (provides a minor $25 penalty that may be waived by the court once the permit is produced similar to current law related to failure to produce a drivers license).
HB 288 - Courthouses; exception from prohibition against carrying weapon for city and county treasurers.
HB 375 - Firearms; workplace rules by localities (no locality shall adopt any workplace rule, other than for the purposes of a community services board or behavioral health authority, that prevents an employee of that locality from storing at that locality's workplace a lawfully possessed firearm and ammunition in a locked private motor vehicle).
HB 754/SB 67 - Concealed handgun permit applications; removes option for locality to require applicant fingerprint.
HB 940/SB 323 - Handguns; eliminates prohibition on purchasing more than one in a 30-day period.
HB 943 - Service handguns; certain law-enforcement officers to purchase.
SB 563 - Concealed handgun permits; application procedures.
SB 573 - Capitol Police; disposal of unclaimed firearms (provides that the Division of Capitol Police may destroy unclaimed firearms or other weapons after the items have been in the possession of the Division for 60 days).

Firearm Legislation So Far

Here are the bills and VSSA's position to date.  Expect bills to drop until January 20th.

Bill No.	House Bills Introduced LIS Bill Summary as Introduced (unless otherwise noted) Title	VSSA Position
HB 20	Emergency Services & Disaster Law; shall not be interpreted to prohibit carrying, etc., of firearms.	Support
HB 22	Firearms; disposition thereof acquired by localities.	Support
HB 25	Concealed handgun permits; confidentiality of permittee information.	Support
HB 26	Concealed handgun permit; failure to produce upon demand of a law-enforcement officer, penalty	Support
HB 91	Higher educational institutions; possession of concealed handguns by faculty members.	Support
HB 139	Concealed handguns; persons who may lawfully carry hidden from common observation, penalty.	Support
HB 172	Hunting; knowingly trespassing while carrying a firearm, penalty	Neutral at this time
HB 237	Criminal history record information checks upon handgun purchases; dissemination of information.	Support
HB 288	Courthouses; exception from prohibition against carrying weapon for city and county treasurers.	Neutral
HB 364	Criminal history record information; record check to be performed on prospective transferee. (Annual attack on gun shows)	Opposed
HB 375	Firearms; workplace rules by localities.	Support
HB 458	Firearms; locality may adopt an ordinance that prohibits in libraries.	Opposed
Bill No.	Senate Bills Introduced LIS Bill Summary as Introduced (unless otherwise noted) Title	VSSA Position
SB 67	Concealed handgun permit applications; removes option for locality to require fingerprints.of firearms by persons subject to orders.	Support

General Assembly Convenes Today

The 2012 Session of the Virginia General Assembly convenes at noon today.  A few firearm related bills have been prefiled but expect more to follow in the coming days.  So far the list includes:

HB 20 Emergency Services & Disaster Law; shall not be interpreted to prohibit carrying, etc., of firearms.

HB 22 Firearms; disposition thereof acquired by localities. This bill prohibits localities from participating in compensated confiscation schemes (gun buybacks) without the governing body enacting an ordinance authorizing the activity.  A similar bill passed a couple of years ago but was vetoed by Governor Kaine.

HB 25 Concealed handgun permits; confidentiality of permittee information.

HB 26 Concealed handgun permit; failure to produce upon demand of a law-enforcement officer, penalty.

HB 91 Higher educational institutions; possession of concealed handguns by faculty members.

HB 139 Concealed handguns; persons who may lawfully carry hidden from common observation, penalty.
This is the s"Constitutional Carry" measure.  It retains the permit option for those who still wish to obtain a permit (i.e. so they can carry in states that have reciprocity with Virginia's permit).

HB 172 Hunting; knowingly trespassing while carrying a firearm, penalty.

HB 237 Criminal history record information checks upon handgun purchases; dissemination of information.

HB 288 Courthouses; exception from prohibition against carrying weapon for city and county treasurers. This bill allows city and county treasurers to carry in courthouses while on duty.

HB 375 Firearms; workplace rules by localities. This is a limited "Parking Lot" bill that prohibits localities from prohibiting their employees from storing their firearm in their locked vehicle while at work.

VSSA's priorities this session are repeal of handgun rationing and enacting Castle Doctrine.  There will be other bills that VSSA will be lobbying for passage and it is expected there will be a few anti-rights bill.  But the pro-freedom forces will be playing offense again this year while the anti-freedom crowd will be forced to play defense.  It will be a very active session.

Results of Tonight's Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee 1 Meeting

Below are the results of tonight's Milita, Police, and Public Safety Subcommittee 1 meeting:

Bills that VSSA Supports:
HB1411 Reckless handling of firearms; revocation of hunting license - Reported 3-0 with amendement, 2 not voting
HB1552 Concealed handgun permits; amends language relating to issuance of de facto permits -  Reported 3-0 with 2 not voting
HB1699 Restoration of firearms rights; requires audio tape or recording be made of hearing - Reported 4-0 with amendment, 1 not voting
HB1856 Concealed handgun permits; holder may obtain replacement for lost or destroyed permits -Reported 4-0, 1 not voting
HB1857 Firearms; documentation of residence for certain military members - Reported 4-0, 1 not voting
HB 2386 Concealed weapons permit; authorizes person to obtain permit to carry any lawfully possessed weapon - Passed by with letter on a voice vote

Bills that VSSA opposes:
HB1600 Libraries; locality may adopt an ordinance that prohibits firearms, etc., on premises - No action taken this meeting.
HB1813 Handguns; prohibits possession of firearm in Capitol and General Assembly Building - Passed by indefinately (PBI)
HB2005 Firearms shows; promoter shall display materials developed by State Police at entrance - No action taken this meeting.

The bills reported out will now go to the full committee and could possibly be heard tomorrow.

House Militia and Police Subcommittee #1 to Hear Gun Bills at 5:00 PM

The House Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee will meet at 5:00 PM tonight and hear a number of firearm bills.

The following is a of the bills that will be heard that VSSA supports:
HB 1411 Reckless handling of firearms; revocation of hunting license. 
HB 1552 Concealed handgun permits; amends language relating to issuance of de facto permits.
HB 1699 Restoration of firearms rights; requires audio tape or recording be made of hearing.
HB 1856 Concealed handgun permits; holder may obtain replacement for lost or destroyed permits.
HB 1857 Firearms; documentation of residence for certain military members.
HB 2386 Concealed weapons permit; authorizes person to obtain permit to carry any lawfully possessed weapon.
HB 2445 Juvenile information dissemination; info. shall be disseminated to State Police or Attorney General.

Bills that will be heard that VSSA opposes:
HB 1600 Libraries; locality may adopt an ordinance that prohibits firearms, etc., on premises.
HB 1813 Handguns; prohibits possession of firearm in Capitol and General Assembly Building.
HB 2005 Firearms shows; promoter shall display materials developed by State Police at entrance.

VSSA's lobbying team will be at the subcommittee hearing.  Check back later tonight for results of the subcommittee hearing.

New Bills Filed for 2011 General Assembly

Two new pro-rights bills have been prefiled at the Virginia General Assembly for the coming session, one related to discharging air guns on private property and one having to do with purchasing or transporting a firearm for those subject to preliminary protective orders.

First is Senate Bill (SB) 757, patroned by State Senator Roscoe Reynolds.  This bill requires that any ordinance which prohibits the shooting of pneumatic guns in certain areas shall have, among its exceptions, an exception to allow the firearm to be discharged on private property with permission of the owner when discharge is conducted with reasonable care to prevent a projectile from crossing the bounds of the property.  Localities are increasingly restricting the ability of residents to shoot air rifles on their private property in suburban areas, even when these residents have set up safe ranges that do not allow the BBs or pellets to leave the property.  This bill is a welcome remedy for these situations.

Next is SB 758, another bill patroned by Senator Reynolds.  This bill makes the prohibition on purchasing and transporting a firearm applicable to persons subject to preliminary protective orders that contain a finding of abuse or neglect. Under current law, persons subject to a preliminary protective order are prohibited from purchasing or transporting a firearm regardless of any court finding.

Prefiling of firearm bills has been slow to this point.  It is hard to tell if this is an indication that there will be fewer firearm bills this year than in the past.  Keep checking the blog for more information on the coming legislative session.

Another Bill Prefiled

On Monday, Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D- Martinsville) prefiled SB 755, a bill that would allow a person who has received mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in a residential setting within five years from the application to petition the court for a permit to carry a concealed handgun. Currently, such persons are disqualified from obtaining a permit within five years of receiving residential treatment. This brings the total so far to three bills.  VSSA previously reported on November 12th, that three bills had been prefiled but one of those bills, HB 995 was actually a carryover bill from last session.  HB 995 would have allowed a prospective purchaser to present a current or retired military identification card or a concealed handgun permit in order to establish citizenship or lawful admission for permanent residence in order to purchase an "assault firearm." On December 3rd, the bill was left in Militia and Police and must be reintroduced if it is going to be considered in 2011.

Three Firearms Bills Prefiled at General Assembly

Legislation for the coming session of the General Assembly has begun to surface.  There are currently three bills filed that have an impact on gun owners and sportsmen. They are:

HB 995 Firearms; purchaser may present military identification card or concealed handgun permit.

HB 1411 Reckless handling of firearms; revocation of hunting license.

HB 1422 Homestead exemptions; adds one family firearm, not to exceed $3,000 value, to list of exemptions.

HB 995 and HB 1422 are clearly pro-rights.  More information is needed regarded HB 1411 to determine why Delegate Tony Wilt feels this is needed. Currently, a first offense results in a revocation for a period of one year to life and a second offense results in a revocation for an additional period not to exceed five years.  Delegate Wilt's bill would make the minimum penalty for a first offense 5 years.  On it's face, it is hard to argue that someone who is convicted of recklessly handling a firearm should be punished but with most things legislative, this bill has the potential to have unintended consequences.  Stay tuned as VSSA learns more about this bill and for more bills to be prefiled.

New Gun Laws Effective Today

July 1st is the day that new laws take effect and no other new law has been more anticipated than repeal of the ban on carrying concealed in restaurants like Applebees and Olive Garden, which serve alcohol in edition to food. VSSA has been working hard to repeal the ban for 16 years and the election of Governor Bob McDonnell finally helped make our hard work pay off. Remember if you do carry in a restaurant, you are not allowed to consume alcohol while carrying concealed.

Also taking effect today is the renewal of Concealed Handgun Permits (CHPs) by mail, repeal of a little used law that allowed localities to impose a license tax on persons engaged in the business of selling pistols and revolvers as well as the record keeping requirement for such persons, a law allowing local schools to offer firearm safety education modeled on the Eddie Eagle Gun Safe program, and a law that allows non-CHP holders to store their firearm in a private motor vehicle or boat if the handgun is secured in a container or compartment.

VSSA had a very successful lobbying effort this year. While we were disappointed that the State Senate created a killing field special sub-committee in violation of Senate rules that killed repeal of handgun rationing as well as the full committee killing Castle Doctrine legislation, we had many successes. Now that the restaurant ban is repealed, VSSA will focus on passing Castle Doctrine and repealing one gun-a-month. You can help in this effort by sharing the news with your fellow gun owners about what VSSA does to protect and expand their gun rights and urging them to join VSSA.

Dan Casey Joins Chorus Against Eddie Eagle

On July 1, a number of new laws will take effect in the Commonwealth. One of those new laws, House Bill 1217, was introduced by Del. Lynwood Lewis, (D-Accomack County) which allows local school boards to offer firearm safety education programs in the elementary grades. The State Board of Education must establish a standardized program of firearm safety education for students in the elementary school grades and the bill requires that the program objectives incorporate, among other principles of firearm safety, accident prevention and the rules of the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program.

For some reason, this seems to cause some editorial writers heartburn. Not long after the bill passed with Governor McDonnell's amendments, Michael Shannon with the Prince William News and Messenger wrote:

In this latest outrage, the General Assembly has directed the state's Board of Education to produce a curriculum for teaching gun safety to elementary school children that incorporates the advice of the National Rifle Association.

I guess it should not surprise me that the Roanoke Times' Dan Casey has joined in. Since his favorite target for the last year, online training qualifying for the training required for a concealed handgun permit, has not lead to mass shootings, another target was needed to fill his OP/ED space. Casey infers that it's payback for the NRA election activity on McDonnell's behalf last year.

The new law prescribes a gun-education curriculum for Virginia elementary schools, based upon materials provided by the National Rifle Association's "Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program."

Late in the game, Gov. Bob McDonnell made a seemingly innocuous change that effectively limited curriculum input to the NRA.

That came after the NRA's political action committee spent $622,000 last fall on radio, television and online ads promoting McDonnell for governor.

The change to which Casey refers is the correction of an error made by the Legislative Services staff who drafted a Senate amendment to the bill at the request of Senator Richard Saslaw. Casey makes a passing reference to the fact that the amendment was drafted incorrectly and named an organization (National Crime Prevention Center) that did not exist. It is likely that Saslaw told the LS staff National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) but NCPC made it known that they did not have an up-to-date firearm safety curriculum so Governor McDonnell amended the bill back to the form in which it passed the House. The Senate overwhelmingly concurred.

Casey also did not miss the chance to slip in Josh Sugarmann's (Violence Policy Center) comparison of Eddie Eagle to Joe Camel as if the Eddie Eagle program would encourage children to be interested in guns. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both of my elementary school aged children know the message delivered by the program and have the DVD provided by the NRA. I have yet to find either of them standing in front of my gun safe trying to figure out how to open it to gain access to one of the many firearms stored inside.

Casey tries to come off as not being anti-gun all the while being very snarky when he writes on the topic. One sure gets the feeling reading his articles that he fits in very nicely with the anti-gun editors of the Roanoke Times.

McDonnell Amendments Approved

Governor McDonnell's amendments to HB885 and HB1217 were approved by the General Assembly tonight. After five hours of debating budget amendments, The House began to focus on other legislation. The outcome was never in doubt in the House but the Senate was going to be the real test, especially with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling stranded in Italy where he had been on an economic develement trip.

HB885 is Delegate Clay Athey's bill that would allow individuals that do not possess a concealed carry permit to store their loaded firearm in a locked container in a vehicle or boat. Governor McDonnell amended to bill, removing the locked container requirement to simply be a "secured" container. The Amendment was overwhelmingly approved in the House and squeaked by in the Senate 20-19. The following senators supported gun owners:

Blevins, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Houck, Hurt, Martin, McDougle, McWaters, Norment, Obenshain, Puckett, Reynolds, Ruff, Smith, Stosch, Stuart, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler

These senators voted against gun owners:

Barker, Colgan, Herring, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Northam, Petersen, Puller, Quayle, Saslaw, Ticer, Watkins, Whipple

HB1217 is the bill sponsored by Delegate Lynwood Lewis (D-100), that would allow local school boards to offer firearm safety education programs in the elementary grades. To assist local school boards opting to provide such instruction, the Board of Education must establish a standardized program of firearm safety education for students in the elementary school grades to promote the protection and safety of children. The bill requires that the program objectives incorporate, among other principles of firearm safety, accident prevention and the rules of the NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe® program. Local school boards offering the program must comply with Board curriculum guidelines and integrate the instruction in appropriate subject areas, if feasible, to ensure that every elementary school student receives instruction in firearm safety education.

The Senate Education and Health Committee added an amendment that would permit school boards to also use principles provided by the National Crime Prevention Center.

Governor McDonnell has recommended that the bill be amended back to it's original form.

That amendment was adopted overwhelmingly in both houses.

Both bills become law on July 1.

Progun bills on Senate Courts Docket

The Senate Courts of Justice docket for Wednesday's meeting has been posted and the following bills are scheduled to be heard:

HB 8 - Allows a person who previously has been issued a Virginia concealed handgun permit to submit an application to renew the permit via the United States mail.

HB 871 - Provides that upon denial of an application for a concealed handgun permit, the clerk shall provide the person with notice, in writing, of his right to an ore tenus hearing. The bill further provides that upon request of the applicant made within 21 days, the court shall place the matter on the docket for an ore tenus hearing. In addition, the bill provides that (i) the applicant may be represented by counsel, but counsel shall not be appointed; (ii) the rules of evidence shall apply; and (iii) the final order of the court shall include the court's findings of fact and conclusions of law.

In addition, Thursday evening's meeting of the Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 will hear three bills - two pro gun and one anti-gun bill:

SB 334 - Allows a person with a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun onto the premises of a restaurant or club and prohibits such person from consuming alcoholic beverages while on the premises. A person who consumes alcohol in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

SB 408 - Creates a new exemption to the general prohibition against carrying concealed weapons by allowing a person who may lawfully possess a firearm to carry a handgun in a private motor vehicle or vessel if the handgun is locked in a container or compartment.

SB 580 - Provides that it is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a person under the age of 18 to possess on school property a weapon designed to expel a projectile at a speed of more than 250 feet per second by action of compressed air or gas, such as an airsoft gun. The prohibition expires in five years and does not apply to weapons with orange-tips.

A Good Day for Gun Owners

A number of bills were acted on in this last day before "Crossover." A list of bills follows.

HB 490, a bill requiring the State Police to develop a plan for lifetime concealed handgun permits passes House 78-20.

HB 236, Delegate Janis' bill that protects hunting near subdivisions in rural areas passes the House 79-19.

HB 854, Castle Doctrine, passed the House 75-24.

HB 171, allowing firearms in locked containers passes the House 72-27.

HB 79, a bill limiting access to CHP application information at the Circuit Court Clerk's office passes 87-10.

HB 49, Repeal of one handgun-a-month passed the House by a vote of 61 -37.

SB 334, repeal of the "Restaurant Ban" passed the Senate.

SB 408, allowing firearms in locked containers passes the Senate.

With cautious optimism, it is probably safe to say that gun owners will see repeal of the restaurant ban and firearms in locked containers in cars and boats without the requirement of a CHP, signed into law as they both have passed each house of the legislature. All of the other house bill still have to clear the Senate and many will face opposition. A complete update will be emailed later this evening.

Another Long Docket for Militia and Police Subcommittee #1

The Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 will meet on Thursday at 5:00 PM and like last week there is a long docket. Last week's meeting lasted 3 hours and they did not take up all the bills. Tomorrow is likely to be just as long as we get closer to Crossover.

The following bills are on the agenda.

H.B. 69 Firearms, ammunition, etc.; those manufactured and retained in State not subject to federal law. Declares that firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition made in Virginia and retained within the borders of Virginia are not subject to federal law or regulation under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

H.B. 109 Firearms; destruction of certain records by clerk of circuit court. Repeals local authority to impose a license tax of not more than $25 on persons engaged in the business of selling pistols and revolvers. Also, a recordkeeping requirement for such persons is deleted and the clerk of the circuit court shall destroy any such existing records.

H.B. 171 Firearms in locked vehicles; immunity from liability. Provides that no person, property owner, tenant, employer, or business owner may prohibit a person who lawfully possesses a firearm from storing that firearm in a locked motor vehicle. The bill provides civil immunity for such persons, property owners, tenants, employers, or business owners. The provisions of the bill would not apply to possession of firearms on school property, nor would the provisions apply to vehicles owned or leased by an employer or business and used by an employee in the course of his employment.

H.B. 236 Firearms; Class 1 misdemeanor to discharge in certain areas. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to discharge a firearm towards a subdivision within the range of the firearm, or to discharge a firearm towards any person or structure, when no barrier exists that would prevent the projectile from striking a person or animal or structure. With these changes, a locality would no longer be able to prohibit hunting generally within a half-mile radius of a subdivision, but would still be able to prohibit hunting within a subdivision.

H.B. 490 Concealed handguns; development of plan for issuance of lifetime permit by State Police. Directs the Department of State Police, in cooperation with the Secretary of Public Safety, to develop a plan to allow for the State Police to issue lifetime concealed handgun permits to Virginia residents. The Department and the Secretary shall submit the plan, and any recommended legislative changes to implement the plan, to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety and the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice by October 15, 2010.

H.B. 520 Sale of firearms at firearms shows; person who sells 3 or more to be licensed as a firearms dealer. Requires any person who has a fixed location at a firearms show to display and sell firearms and any person who sells three or more firearms at a firearms show, regardless of whether he has a fixed location, to be licensed as a Virginia firearms dealer.

H.B. 871 Concealed handgun permit applications; right to ore tenus hearing. Clarifies that a person who is applying for a concealed handgun permit for the first time has the same right to an ore tenus hearing if the permit is denied as a person who has previously held a concealed handgun permit.

H.B. 886 Firearms, ammunition, etc.; those manufactured and retained in State not subject to federal law. Declares that firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition made in Virginia and retained within the borders of Virginia are not subject to federal law or regulation under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

H.B. 995 Firearms; purchaser may present military identification card or concealed handgun permit. Allows a prospective purchaser to present a current or retired military identification card or a concealed handgun permit in order to establish citizenship or lawful admission for permanent residence in order to purchase an assault firearm.

H.B. 1070 Concealed handguns; person who possesses valid permit may carry into emergency shelter. Provides that a person who has a valid concealed handgun permit may not be barred from carrying a concealed handgun in any place or facility designated or used by the Governor, any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or any other governmental entity as an emergency shelter or for the purpose of sheltering persons.

H.B. 1191 Concealed handgun permits; allows circuit court judge to authorize clerk of court to issue. Allows a circuit court judge to authorize the clerk of court to issue concealed handgun permits in instances where the application is complete, the background check does not indicate that the applicant is disqualified, and, after consulting with the local sheriff or police department, there are no other questions or issues surrounding the application.

H.B. 1209 Machine guns; Superintendent of VSP to be notified in writing of change of address of registrant. Requires that the Superintendent of State Police be notified in writing of the change of address of the registrant or the change of the address of the permanent physical location of a machine gun.

H.B. 1217 Firearm safety education program; school boards to offer in elementary grades. Allows local school boards to offer firearm safety education programs in the elementary grades. To assist local school boards opting to provide such instruction, the Board of Education must establish a standardized program of firearm safety education for students in the elementary school grades to promote the protection and safety of children. The bill requires that the program objectives incorporate, among other principles of firearm safety, accident prevention and the rules of the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program. Local school boards offering the program must comply with Board curriculum guidelines and integrate the instruction in appropriate subject areas, if feasible, to ensure that every elementary school student receives instruction in firearm safety education.

H.B. 1379 Child-care facilities; local regulation of possession and storage of firearms, etc., at facilities. Provides that certain Northern Virginia localities may adopt local ordinances that regulate the possession and storage of firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof at child-care facilities, so long as such regulation is not more extensive in scope than comparable state regulations applicable to family day-care homes.

Day One of Assembly Brings More Pro-Gun Bills

More pro-gun bills were filed as the General Assembly opened yesterday. Some are duplicates of bills that had already been filed and some address the same issue with slight variations in the approach.

HB 854 Encodes a version of the "castle doctrine," allowing the use of physical force, including deadly force, against an intruder or attacker, with no duty to retreat and without criminal or civil liability.

HB 870 Removes the option for a locality to require that an applicant for a concealed handgun permit submit fingerprints as part of the application.

HB 885 Creates a new exemption to the general prohibition against carrying concealed weapons by allowing a person who may lawfully possess a firearm to carry a handgun in a private motor vehicle or boat if the handgun is secured in a container or compartment.

HB 886 Declares that firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition made in Virginia and retained within the borders of Virginia are not subject to federal law or regulation under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

HB 1070 Provides that a person who has a valid concealed handgun permit may not be barred from carrying a concealed handgun in any place or facility designated or used by the Governor, any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or any other governmental entity as an emergency shelter or for the purpose of sheltering persons.

HB 1092 States that a retired law-enforcement officer who receives proof of consultation and favorable review to carry a concealed handgun without a concealed handgun permit shall have the same ability to carry a concealed handgun wherever he may travel in the Commonwealth as a law-enforcement officer authorized to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.

HB 1191 Allows a circuit court judge to authorize the clerk of court to issue concealed handgun permits in instances where the application is complete, the background check does not indicate that the applicant is disqualified, and, after consulting with the local sheriff or police department, there are no other questions or issues surrounding the application.

HB 1210 Allows a judge to carry a concealed handgun without a permit at all times. Currently, judges are authorized to carry a concealed handgun without a permit while in the discharge of their official duties.

SB 334 Allows a person with a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun onto the premises of a restaurant or club and prohibits such person from consuming alcoholic beverages while on the premises. 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.

Additional anti-gun bills have also been filed.

HB 879 Provides that a locality may adopt an ordinance that prohibits firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof in libraries owned or operated by the locality.

HB 1209 Requires that the Superintendent of State Police be notified in writing of the change of address of the registrant or the change of the address of the permanent physical location of a machine gun.

HB 1214 Prohibits a person from possessing an unloaded firearm that is in a closed container in or upon a motor vehicle located at a public elementary, middle, or high school or an unloaded shotgun or rifle in a firearms rack in or upon a motor vehicle located at a public elementary, middle, or high school.

Be sure to sign up for our Twitter updates. As bills begin to move through the committee process to the floor VSSA can communicate the result quickly via this blog and Twitter.

Could This Be the First GA Session Without A Gun Show Bill?

The Roanoke Times ran an article this morning detailing the changes that the new McDonnell Administration will bring when the new governor takes office on January 16th.

...And with Kaine departing, there is little political momentum for legislation to expand instant background checks at gun shows.

So far, there have been no overt anti-rights bills introduced for the 2010 Session. A couple dealing with restoration of rights are being opposed by some pro-rights activists but nothing directly dealing with the right to keep and bear arms has been pre-filed.

The General Assembly convenes at noon tomorrow.

Delegate Scott Lingamfelter on NRA News.

Delegate Scott Lingamfelter was on Cam & Company last night talking about his bill to repeal handgun rationing (one gun-a-mongh). During the conversation he gave his web site where you can go and sign up for updates on how this and other bills he is sponsoring are progressing. While VSSA will keep all gun owners informed on every bill of interest during the General Assembly, feel free to go to http://www.va31st.com/ and sign up for his legislative updates for additional insights that Delegate Lingamfelter may have on this important legislation.

Pro-rights Bills in General Assembly

The pre-filing time for the 2010 Session of the General Assembly continues. So far the bills being introduced related to firearms are pro-rights. I expect to see another attempt to end gun shows.

HB 8 Concealed handgun permits; renewal thereof by mail.
HB 26 Concealed handgun permit; documentation and information provided by applicant.
HB 32 Concealed handguns; possession by faculty members at state institutions of higher education.
HB 49 Handguns; repeals one-gun-a-month limitation.
HB 52 Concealed handgun permit; failure to produce upon demand of law-enforcement officer, penalty.
HB 54 Handgun; person with lawful possession may carry into courthouse used for non-judicial activities.
HB 69 Firearms, ammunition, etc.; those manufactured and retained in State not subject to federal law.
HB 72 Firearms; possession with intent to use on school property Class 1 misdemeanor.
HB 79 Concealed handgun permits; prohibits clerk of court from providing public access to applications.
HB 106 Carrying concealed handguns.
HB 108 Disposition of Firearms
HB 109 Certain firearms taxes; destruction of records.
HB 152 Electronic security employees; carrying concealed handguns.
SB 3 Concealed handgun permits; renewal thereof by mail.

Of note is HB 108 which again targets compensated confiscation schemes (so called "buy backs"). Governor Tim Kaine vetoed this last year. If we can get it through the Senate (this was no easy task last year) we should see the bill signed into law this year.

The General Assembly convenes on January 13th. This is the long session (60 Days).