Today, the House of Delegates voted 52-47 for House Bill 509, to repeal the “red flag” gun confiscation law passed in 2020. This marks the first time any chamber of any state legislature has passed such a repeal. NRA thanks House Speaker Todd Gilbert for his strong leadership, bill sponsor Delegate Marie March, and all the other delegates who voted in favor of rolling back a Northam-era infringement upon constitutional rights with this bill.
If your delegate voted for HB 509, please take the time to thank them. Click here to view the vote roll call and here to find your delegate.
House Bill 509 restores due process protections in Virginia by repealing the so-called “red flag” scheme that allows the seizure of an individual’s firearms on baseless accusations, without a hearing or other opportunity for the person to be heard in court.
A person subject to the suspension of a Constitutional right should be entitled to high evidentiary standards, an opportunity to be heard, and the right to face his or her accusers. Civil liberties advocates from across the political spectrum have expressed concerns about these schemes and how the procedure may lead to abuses, due to insufficient due process protections.
HB 509 now goes on to the Senate, which unfortunately remains under the control of the same anti-gun lawmakers who passed this scheme in 2020. Gun owners must watch the Senate and remember their actions for the 2023 elections. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates.