Tomorrow, January 22, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee will meet to consider and vote on several bills of importance to Virginia gun owners, sportsmen and Second Amendment supporters.
The following pro-gun bills – both supported by the NRA – will be considered:
Senate Bill 396: Sponsored by Senator Jill Vogel (R-27), SB 396 exempts holders of a valid Concealed Handgun Permit from the state instant check for firearm purchases. It provides that a licensed firearms dealer does not have to have a criminal background check through the Virginia Firearm Transaction Program performed to determine a person's eligibility to purchase a firearm if the purchaser possesses a valid concealed handgun permit and presents photo-identification.
Senate Bill 610: Sponsored by Senator John Cosgrove (R-14), SB 610 would require the Virginia State Police to report information on prohibited persons to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to ensure that the firearm purchase process is accurate, complete and effective.
The following anti-gun bills – all opposed by the NRA – will also be considered:
Senate Bill 39: Sponsored by anti-gun Senator David Marsden (D-37), SB 39 requires that a criminal history record check be performed on the prospective transferee before any firearms transfer at a gun show.
Senate Bill 287: Sponsored by Senator Creigh Deeds (D-25), SB 287 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.
Senate Bill 520: Sponsored by anti-gun Senator Don McEachin (D-9), SB 520 would impose a “universal background check” through gun dealers for firearm transfers by criminalizing the private transfer of firearms outside of immediate family members, making it 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.
Criminals -- by definition -- violate laws, especially gun control laws. They do not obey gun bans, register their firearms, undergo firearm safety training, apply for or get granted carry licenses/permits, purchase firearms through licensed dealers or subject themselves to any gun control schemes that only effect and penalize law-abiding citizens.
Contact members of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee by clicking here and urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bills 396 and 610 and OPPOSE Senate Bills 39, 287 and 520.