Virginia: Action Taken on Several Firearm-Related Bills in Senate and House Committees

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee and the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee # 1 met this week to consider and vote on several bills of importance to Virginia gun owners, sportsmen and supporters of the Second Amendment.

Yesterday, January 23, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee considered Senate Bill 1001. SB 1001, sponsored by Senator Henry Marsh (D-16), would require background check on all private firearm transfers at a gun show. The NRA opposed this legislation and it was defeated by an 8-7 vote in committee.

Two NRA-backed bills, Senate Bill 1299 and Senate Bill 1363, were not heard by the Senate Courts of Justice Committee and will be considered on Monday, January 28.

SB 1299, sponsored by Senator John Edwards (D-21), would provide that certain criminal history record information and protective order registry information be made available to the federal government for the purposes of determining a person's eligibility to possess a firearm.

SB 1363, sponsored by Senator Jill Vogel (R-27), would provide that residency for members of the armed forces shall include both the member’s permanent duty post and the nearby state in which the member resides for the purposes of firearms purchases.

Today, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee # 1 considered and took action on the following bills:

House Bill 1582, sponsored by Delegate Mark Cole (R-88), would permit armed security guards to carry firearms on school property and prohibits the Board of Social Services from adopting any regulations that would prevent a child day center from hiring an armed security officer. The NRA supports HB 1582 and it was reported with a substitute.

House Bill 2251, sponsored by Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-49), would ban the sale, transfer and possession of magazines that hold more than twenty rounds. The NRA opposed this legislation and it was defeated in subcommittee.

House Bill 2281, sponsored by Delegate Jeion Ward (D-92), would mandate the reporting of lost and stolen firearms.  HB 2281 was amended requiring stolen firearms to be entered into the National Criminal Information Network (NCIC) and was tabled in subcommittee.

House Bill 2327, sponsored by Delegate Bob Brink (D-48), would reenact the repealed “one gun a month” (gun rationing) statute. The NRA opposed this legislation and it was defeated in subcommittee.

The following three pro-gun bills received no action today and should be considered at a future time.

House Bill 2240, sponsored by Delegate John Cosgrove (R-78), is the House companion of SB 1299, and would provide that certain criminal history record information and protective order registry information be made available to the federal government for the purposes of determining a person's eligibility to possess a firearm. (NRA supports)

House Bill 2317, sponsored by Delegate Rich Anderson (R-51), is the House companion of SB 1363, and would provide that residency for members of the armed forces shall include both the member’s permanent duty post and the nearby state in which the member resides for the purposes of firearms purchases. (NRA supports)

House Bill 2342, sponsored by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), would require that the Department of State Police provide an expedited process by which Virginians who present a concealed handgun permit may receive an expedited criminal history information background check when purchasing a firearm. (NRA supports)

The NRA-ILA will continue to monitor all pro-/anti-gun bills as they move through the legislative process. Please continue to contact your state legislators and encourage them to support your Right to Keep and Bear Arms this legislative session.  You can contact them by clicking here.