Virginia: Report on Legislative Action This Week in Richmond

Today, the following six bills were acted on by the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee:

House Bill 878: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Dave LaRock (R-33), HB 878 requires that when certification from a chief law enforcement officer is required by federal law for the transfer of a firearm -- as defined in the National Firearms Act -- such certification must be provided within thirty days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the firearm. (HB 878 was reported by a 15-6 vote)

House Bill 962: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Ben Cline (R-24), HB 962 provides that when carrying a concealed weapon in a secured container or compartment in a private motor vehicle, “secured container or compartment” can include a console, glove compartment or any other area within or on the vehicle that possesses the ability to be closed.  It also provides that the term "secured" does not require that a container or compartment be locked. (HB 962 was reported by a 15-6 vote)

House Bill 357: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Rich Anderson (R-51), HB 357 allows a circuit court clerk to disclose information contained in a concealed handgun permit application to the applicant. (HB 357 was reported by a 21-0 vote)

House Bill 705: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15), HB 705 eliminates certain requirements for an out-of-state concealed handgun permit to be recognized in Virginia. (HB 705 was reported by a 15-6 vote)

House Bill 1145: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Nick Rush (R-7), HB 1145 provides a mechanism for reporting when a circuit court restores a felon's right to possess a firearm to the State Police. (HB 1145 was carried over until 2015)

House Bill 448: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Rob Bell (R-58), HB 448 provides a process for reporting to the State Police when a circuit court restores a non-violent felon’s right to possess a firearm. (HB 448 was carried over until 2015)

Yesterday, the following bill was effectively defeated in House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee 2:

House Bill 102: Sponsored by anti-gun Delegate Patrick Hope (D-47), HB 102 prohibits the possession of weapons in state legislative buildings except by certain persons. (HB 102 was tabled by voice vote)

Yesterday, the following six bills were effectively defeated in House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee 1:

House Bill 535: Sponsored by anti-gun Delegate Ken Plum (D-36), HB 535 criminalizes the sale or transfer of any firearm by anyone at a gun show without a background check conducted by the State Police. (HB 535 was tabled by voice vote)

House Bill 695: Sponsored by anti-gun Delegate Luke Torian (D-52), HB 695 expands the handgun competency training requirement to obtain a concealed handgun permit. (HB 695 was tabled by voice vote)

House Bill 809: Sponsored by anti-gun Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-49), HB 809 requires owners of “large capacity magazines” (holding more than twenty rounds of ammunition) to undergo a background check and register such magazines with the State Police, and limits ownership of “large capacity magazines” to three.   Any “large capacity magazines” owned in excess of this limit must be disposed of. (HB 809 was tabled by voice vote)

House Bill 812: Sponsored by anti-gun Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-49), HB 812 criminalizes the private sale or transfer of any firearm by anyone, including even family and friends, without a background check conducted through a licensed firearm dealer. (HB 812 was tabled by voice vote)

House Bill 823: Sponsored by anti-gun Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-49), HB 823 requires the State Police to be available to perform background checks for non-dealer sales at gun shows if a party involved in a transaction wants one. (HB 823 was tabled by voice vote)

House Bill 992: Sponsored by anti-gun Delegate Mamye BaCote (D-95), HB 992 allows a locality to adopt an ordinance that prohibits firearms, ammunition or components, or a combination thereof, in local libraries. (HB 992 was tabled by voice vote)

Your NRA-ILA will be closely monitoring and tracking these important bills.  Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org for further updates and opportunities to get involved.