On Monday, March 6, the Senate Courts of Justice committee will likely consider several measures that, if passed, will further protect the rights of law-abiding firearm owners.
To further protect the fundamental right of self-defense, Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31) has offered HB 162, which enables law-abiding firearm owners to store a firearm in a locked vehicle parked in a public area. The passage of HB 162 will allow for law-abiding gun owners to have the ability to protect themselves from a violent attack during their commutes to and from work.
Yet another bill addresses the travesty that occurred when New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered the confiscation of all legally possessed firearms in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Delegate Bill Janis (R-56) is sponsoring HB 1265, a measure that prohibits the Governor, or any government agency, from suspending the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the Commonwealth during a state of emergency. If passed by the Senate, HB 1265 will protect the lawful possession, sale, transfer, transport and carrying of firearms during an emergency or disaster, therefore ensuring that law-abiding citizens have the necessary means to protect themselves and their families, and their property if the need should arise.
Finally, on Monday the Senate Courts of Justice committee will also consider the Omnibus Firearms bill, HB 1577, which is being carried by Delegate Ben Cline (R-24). Included in this important bill are provisions that: allow for an issuing judge to authorize a designee to provide the final signature on concealed carry permits; create a “lifetime” concealed carry permit by authorizing the State Police to conduct annual criminal history checks on permit owners, and to “roll-over” all eligible and valid permits at no cost to the permit holder (permit holders who move out of their original issuing jurisdiction will have to re-apply for a new permit); eliminates the ability for a locality to require concealed carry permit applicants to submit fingerprints as part of the application process; provides a 90-day grace period for members of the armed services to renew a concealed carry permit if the permit expired while the military member was deployed; and provides a definition of “personal knowledge” for information used to prohibit issuance of a concealed carry permit.
Please contact the Senate Courts of Justice Committee members below and strongly encourage them to protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms by supporting HB 162, HB 1265, and HB 1577!
Senator Ken Stolle, Chairman (R-8): (804) 698-7508 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Richard Saslaw (D-35): (804) 698-7535 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Fred Quayle (R-13): (804) 698-7513 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Tommy Norment (R-3): (804) 698-7503 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Louise Lucas (D-18): (804) 698-7518 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator John Edwards (D-21): (804) 698-7521 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20): (804) 698-7520 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Nick Rerras (R-6): (804) 698-7506 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Harry Blevins (R-14): (804) 698-7514 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37): (804) 698-7537 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26): (804) 698-7526 or e-mail [email protected]
Senator Ryan McDougal (R-4): (804) 698-7504 or e-mail [email protected]