Virginia: Self-Defense Legislation Advancing Through General Assembly

Yesterday, February 3, House Bill 766 was passed by the Virginia House of Delegates by a 68-29 vote.  Introduced by Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15), HB 766 would allow the petitioner of a protective order to temporarily conceal carry without a permit, thus affording them immediate self-defense options while waiting for their carry permit to be approved.  Similar legislation, Senate Bill 626, sponsored by state Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27), received bipartisan support in the Senate Committee on Courts of Justice and will be heard on the Senate floor next week. 

Also yesterday, House Bill 768 was passed out of the House Committee on Courts of Justice by a 14-7 vote.  Sponsored by Delegate Gilbert, HB 768 would provide funding for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and family abuse to attend a firearm safety or training course free of charge. 

These important bills seek to provide self-defense training and resources for victims of extremely traumatic experiences.  Please contact your legislators and politely urge them to support important victim self-defense legislation.  To find your legislators, please click here.

Earlier this week, “constitutional” carry/permitless carry legislation, Senate Bill 48, was narrowly defeated on the Senate floor.  However, with other crucial pro-gun legislation rapidly moving, your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you updated as these bills advance through the Virginia General Assembly.