Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee To Hear Firearm Legislation!

Please Stand-Up and Make Your Voices Heard!

On Monday, January 26, the Senate Courts of Justice will hear a number of firearm bills.  Senate Bill 1035, sponsored by Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr. (R-24), would permit a Right-to-Carry permit holder to carry his or her firearm into a restaurant, provided he or she does not consume any alcohol.  This bill is similar to last year’s bill that was passed and ultimately vetoed by Governor Tim Kaine (D).

Please contact the members of this Committee and encourage them to pass SB 1035.

The Committee will also be hearing Senate Bill 1166, sponsored by Senator John Watkins (R-10).  This bill would increase the gun tax charged by the Virginia State Police to run the mandatory instant background check from $2 to $5, a 150% increase for Virginia residents.  For non-state residents, the legislation mandates an increase of 60%, from $5 to $8. 

Please contact the members of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee TODAY and respectfully request them to oppose a tax increase on the Second Amendment rights of Virginia’s law-abiding gun owners.

Lastly, there are two bills dealing with gun shows that will be heard, Senate Bill 1257, sponsored by Senator Henry L. Marsh, III (D-16) and Senator Janet D. Howell (D-32) and Senate Bill 1385, sponsored by Senator Kenneth Stolle (R-8).  SB 1257 would require state and federal background checks to be conducted on all firearms transactions at Virginia gun shows.  SB 1385 requires the promoter of a firearms show to arrange and pay for a law-enforcement officer from the Virginia State Police to be present at all times during a firearms show.  Similar gun show legislation was defeated last year and needs to be defeated again.

Please contact the Committee Members and respectfully urge them to oppose SB 1257 and SB 1385.

The hearing for the Senate Courts of Justice Committee will be held at 9:00 am in Senate Room A in the General Assembly Building. Contact information can be found below.

If you are unable to attend, please take a moment to call and email the members of the Courts of Justice Committee to support SB 1035 and oppose SB 1166, SB 1257 & SB 1385.

Senate Courts of Justice Committee

State Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20)
(804) 698-7520
[email protected]

State Senator Richard Saslaw (D-35)
(804) 698-7535
[email protected]

State Senator Kenneth Stolle (R-8)
(804) 698-7508
[email protected]

State Senator Thomas Norment, Jr. (R-3)
(804) 698-7503
[email protected]

State Senator Janet Howell (D-32)
(804) 698-7532
[email protected]

State Senator Ryan McDougle (R-4)
(804) 698-7504
[email protected]

State Senator Robert Hurt (R-19)
(804) 698-7519
[email protected]