April 2nd was the crossover deadline in West Virginia, bills that failed to advance from the chamber of origin are considered defeated for the session. The West Virginia House passed two pro-gun bills ahead of the deadline that provide additional assurances for the firearms industry. HB 2067 and HB 3342 provide important protections for the industry and consumers who are seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Politically motivated litigation and financial discrimination have been on the rise and providing these protections is critical to ensure consumers have availability and are not priced out of the market due to costs associated with high levels of financial liability levied at the industry. Both HB 2067 and HB 3342 have been transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
HB2067, The West Virginia Firearm Liability Clarification Act, is a pro-Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) bill that enhances protections for the firearm industry members. The bill has passed through the House and is now awaiting a hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations. The PLCAA protects members of the firearm industry from being held responsible for the third-party misuse of products they manufacture or sell.
HB3342 prohibits public entities from entering into contracts with businesses unless they certify that they do not discriminate against firearm businesses. Anti-gun corporations, banks, and their executives have expressed interest in denying services to the firearm industry as a way to further their political agenda and impose gun control by making such business impossible when legislatures won’t bend to their will. This will ensure that West Virginia taxpayers are not funding businesses that discriminate against the firearm industry. For more information, click here.
Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for updates as these bills progress.