Virginia: Gun Bills in Committee This Thursday

On Thursday, January 23^rd, the House Public Safety Subcommittee – Firearms will hold a hearing on House Bill 702, a gun "give-back" scheme, as well as several pro-gun measures. A number of other gun control bills have also been assigned to this committee, including bans on common semi-automatic firearms and magazines, as well as restrictions on your right to carry in the Commonwealth. Please contact committee members and ask them to OPPOSE HB 702 and to support these pro-gun bills by using the TAKE ACTION button below.

Anti-Gun Bill:

House Bill 702 creates a statewide "give-back" scheme and provides for the destruction of all firearms surrendered to the Commonwealth through the scheme.

Pro-Gun Bills:

House Bill 101, introduced by Rep. Jason Ballard, allows for alternate methods of submission of applications for concealed handgun permits by removing the requirement that such applications be submitted in writing.

House Bill 106, also introduced by Rep. Ballard, significantly reduces costs and fees associated with concealed carry permit applications.

House Bill 540, introduced by Rep. Karen Hamilton, provides an exception for carrying in certain "gun-free zones" to any woman who is a current victim of family abuse and has an active protective order against a family or household member.

House Bill 623, introduced by Rep. Mike Cherry, allows the attorney for the Commonwealth to petition a court for the return of a weapon to its lawful owner where such weapon was used by any person in the commission of a criminal offense and forfeited to the Commonwealth.

House Bill 691, introduced by Rep. Eric Zehr, prevents localities from imposing any ordinance that restricts concealed carry in public places. This uniformity helps protect citizens' Second Amendment rights by preventing a patchwork of local regulations.

House Bill 696, also introduced by Rep. Zehr, removes highway rest stops and government stores from the list of government-operated facilities where concealed carry is prohibited.

Your NRA will continue to fight to promote and protect your right to keep and bear arms and hunting heritage. Our members remain the most powerful political force in American history, and together, we will secure the Second Amendment for present and future generations.

Please continue to check www.NRAILA.org and your email inbox for NRA-ILA alerts on the latest action items. NRA-ILA will keep you updated on Second Amendment and hunting-related legislation.