Virginia: “Castle Doctrine” and “Family Firearm” Bills Pass House Committee, Senate Sends Two NRA-Backed Bills to the House!

On Monday, January 31, the House Courts of Justice Committee passed House Bill 1573 by a 16 to 5 margin and House Bill 1422 by a 22 to 0 margin. Both bills are expected be considered by the full House of Delegates this week.

HB 1573, sponsored by Delegate Bill Cleaveland (R-17), would seek to codify a version of “Castle Doctrine” which would allow lawful occupants of a dwelling to use any degree of physical force, including deadly force, against an intruder who has committed an overt act against him, without the fear of civil liability. The NRA helped draft this legislation.

HB 1422, sponsored by Delegate Dave Albo (R-42), would add one family firearm, not to exceed $3,000 in value, to the list of items that every householder shall be entitled to hold exempt from Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Currently, ten states allow firearm owners to exempt their firearm from the liquidation process.  The NRA helped draft this legislation.

Please contact your Delegate today and respectfully encourage him or her to support both HB 1573 and HB 1422. To contact your Delegate please click here. 

Also yesterday, the Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 757 by a 25 to 14 vote, while Senate Bill 1213 passed unanimously with a 40 to 0 vote. Both bills will now be delivered to the House of Delegates and referred to committee.

SB 757, sponsored by Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20), would allow private property owners to discharge pneumatic guns on or within private property as long as it is conducted with reasonable care to prevent the projectile from crossing the property’s boundary.  The NRA helped draft this legislation.

SB 1213, sponsored by Senators Ralph Smith (R-22) and Tommy Norment (R-3), provides that the State Board of Elections, in cooperation with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, would make mail voter registration application forms available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

The NRA will continue to update you on these bills and as well as other legislation as they progress through the Virginia General Assembly. Please continue to check your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for updates.