Virginia: Report on Legislative Action for the Week of February 3

Today, the state Senate passed Senate Bill 510 by a 29-6 vote.  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.

Also today, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee carried over House Bill 1118 until 2015 by a voice vote.  Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Tony Wilt (R-26),  HB 1118 provides that a licensed gun dealer does not have to perform a state criminal background check to purchase a firearm if the purchaser possesses a valid Concealed Handgun Permit and presents a photo-identification issued by an agency of the Commonwealth or the Department of Defense.

Also today, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee passed House Bill 786 by a 15-7 vote.  Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate Tony Wilt (R-26), HB 786 forbids the dismissal of a teacher for a firearm legally stored in their vehicle. (now goes to the House floor)

Yesterday, the House of Delegates passed House Bill 752 by a 96-2 vote. Sponsored by Delegate Tom Rust (R-86), HB 752 would remove air guns from the list of weapons requiring school expulsion. (now awaiting Senate committee referral)

Also yesterday, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee passed the following two hunting-related bills:

Senate Bill 9: Sponsored by pro-gun state Senator Tom Garrett (R-22), SB 9 would make it lawful to hunt or kill coyotes on Sundays. (passed by a 9-3-2 vote and sent to the Senate floor)

Senate Bill 42: Sponsored by anti-gun state Senator David Marsden (D-37), SB 42 establishes a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who erects or maintains an enclosure for the purpose of hunting a fox or coyote with dogs unless possessing a permit issued prior to January 1, 2014. (passed by a 8-7 vote and sent to the Senate floor)

On Monday, February 3, the House of Delegates 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 referred to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee) 

Also on Monday, the House Courts of Justice Committee passed House Bill 43 by a 14-7 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)

Also on Monday, the House Courts of Justice Committee tabled House Bill 48 by a voice vote.  Sponsored by anti-gun Delegate Marcus Simon (D-53), HB 48 expands “prohibited persons” for ownership and possession of a firearm to individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors.  HB 48 is the House companion of Senate Bill 510.

Your NRA-ILA will keep you informed as these bills progress during this important legislative session so that you can contact your state legislators and urge them to support the bills that advance your Second Amendment rights and oppose those bills that would restrict those rights.  Also, please continue to check your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for updates as well as additional legislation.