Virginia: Report on Legislative Action in Richmond This Week

Yesterday, the House Courts of Justice Criminal Law Subcommittee reported House Bill 43 by a 7-3 vote. Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Bob Marshall (R-13), HB 43 would prevent any agency, political subdivision or employee of Virginia from assisting the federal government in any way that infringes on the individual’s Right to Keep and Bear Arms. (now referred to the House Appropriations Committee)

On Thursday, January 30, the House of Delegates passed House Bill 307 unanimously.  Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), HB 307 permits local school boards to provide after-school hunter safety education programs for students grades seven through twelve at the cost of the participant. (now referred to the Senate Education and Health Committee)

Also on Thursday, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee passed Senate Bill 154 by a 9-4 vote.  Sponsored by Senator Phil Puckett (D-38), SB 154 repeals the ban on Sunday hunting by allowing hunting on private lands with written permission from the owner - while still prohibiting hunting within 200 yards of a house of worship, the hunting of deer with dogs and the hunting of bear. (now goes to the Senate floor)

On Wednesday, January 29, the Senate passed Senate Bill 377 unanimously.  Sponsored by pro-gun Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17), SB 377 provides firearm dealers the option to go through a process administered by the State Police to determine whether a firearm that is being transferred to the dealer by a person other than a dealer, importer or manufacturer can be lawfully transferred. (awaiting House committee referral)

Also on Wednesday, the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee passed House Bill 127 unanimously.  Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Ed Scott (R-30), HB 127 allows persons to hunt big game with muzzleloading pistols of a caliber of .45 or greater where and in those seasons when the use of muzzleloading rifles is permitted. (now goes to the House floor)

Also on Wednesday, the House Education Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee passed House Bill 752 unanimously.  Sponsored by Delegate Tom Rust (R-86), HB 752 would remove air guns from the list of weapons requiring school expulsion. (now before the House Education Committee)

On Tuesday, January 28, the House of Delegates passed House Bill 1237 by a 71-27 vote.  HB 1237, sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) and 39 colleagues, repeals the ban on Sunday hunting by allowing hunting on private lands with written permission from the owner - while still prohibiting hunting within 200 yards of a house of worship, the hunting of deer with dogs and the hunting of bear. (now referred to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee)

Also on Tuesday, the House Education Committee passed House Bill 66 by a 17-5 vote.  Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate David Ramadan (R-87), HB 66 requires each local school board to place a school resource officer in each public elementary and secondary school.  All costs resulting from the requirement shall be paid from the Lottery Proceeds Fund. (referred to the House Appropriations Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee and tabled)

On Monday, January 27, the House of Delegates passed the following two House bills:

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. (passed by a 65-34 vote and was referred to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee)

House Bill 715: Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Tommy Wright (R-61), HB 715 establishes a new combined license for persons hunting with a bow and arrow or a crossbow. (passed unanimously and was referred to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee)

Also on Monday, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted on the following two Senate bills:

Senate Bill 510: Sponsored by anti-gun Senator Barbara Favola (D-31),  SB 510 expands “prohibited persons” for ownership and possession of a firearm to individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors. (passed by a 10-2 vote and was referred to the Senate Finance Committee)

Senate Bill 520: Sponsored by anti-gun Senator Don McEachin (D-9), SB 520 would impose a “universal background check” through gun dealers for firearm transfers by criminalizing the private transfer of firearms outside of immediate family members, making it a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person who is not a licensed dealer to sell, rent, trade or transfer a firearm to any other person who is not a licensed dealer. (defeated by a 6-9 vote)

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