Virginia: Bipartisan Deal Advancing Through the General Assembly

Last week, bipartisan progress was made between government leaders in Virginia to stay the revocation of reciprocity agreements until March 1, and to further the legislation outlined below:

Senate Bill 610 and House Bill 1163, sponsored by state Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17) and Delegate Michael Webert (R-18) respectively, would provide reciprocity for all states with a concealed carry permitting process.  SB 610 was passed on the Senate floor yesterday.  Today, HB 1163 was passed out of the House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety.

Additionally, House Bill 1386 and Senate Bill 715, sponsored by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31) and state Senator John Edwards (D-21) respectively, will require the Virginia State Police to attend gun shows in the Commonwealth and run voluntary background checks for private transfers between attendees.  An important safeguard of these voluntary background checks is they will provide civil liability protection for sellers.  This morning, HB 1386 was passed out of the House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety, and Senate Bill 715 was passed on the Senate floor.

Also this morning, Senate Bill 49, sponsored by state Senator Janet Howell (D-32), was passed on the Senate floor.  SB 49, along with its companion bill, House Bill 1391, sponsored by Delegate Kathleen Murphy (D-34), would make it unlawful for any person who is subject to a domestic violence permanent protective order to possess any firearm while the order is in effect.  HB 1391 was passed out of the House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety this morning.

Your NRA-ILA is closely monitoring all legislation with respect to this bipartisan deal and will continue to keep you updated as these bills advance through the General Assembly.