Fresh off the heels of receiving one of the most abysmal approval ratings for a modern Virginia Governor, Abigial Spanberger has doubled-down by outright signing or endorsing several pieces of anti-gun legislation with watered-down amendments. Her proposals do nothing to preserve the rights of law-abiding Virginians and are nothing more than a political ploy to keep these bills under the rug until after the April 21st Redistricting Referendum.
“Governor Spanberger’s last-minute amendments to these gun control bills—slipped in during the dead of night—are nothing more than a desperate ploy to prop up her radical redistricting referendum by delaying action until after Election Day,” said John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director. “These changes don’t fix the bills; they merely attempt to rebrand blatant violations of law-abiding Virginians’ Second Amendment rights. Such cynical political maneuvers reveal not only her contempt for constitutional freedoms, but also her disregard for the hundreds of thousands of responsible gun owners across the Commonwealth. Our message to the Governor remains the same. We’ll see you in court.”
After campaigning as a common-sense moderate, Governor Spanberger has shown her true colors now that she is in office. By endorsing these liberal gun restrictions, she has proven she has no concern for the Constitution, or the rights of law-abiding Virginians. Her amendments to the bills will be considered at the General Assembly's April 22nd Reconvened Session - One day after the vote on the ultra-liberal Redistricting Referendum.
ANTI-2A BILLS GOVERNOR SPANBERGER OFFERED AMENDMENTS:
SB749/HB217 ban certain semi-automatic firearms, including many semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns, prohibits the sale of magazine exceeding 15 rounds, and prohibits possession by legal adults under the age of 21. This bill is an attempt to redefine and ban firearms that are in common use by law-abiding citizens, and prohibit the future sale and transfer of virtually all modern firearms.
SB727/HB1524 outlaw carrying and transporting many types of common firearms on public property. This includes any semiautomatic centerfire rifle or pistol with a magazine capacity over 15 rounds.
HB1525 prohibit the purchase and possession of certain firearms by legal adults under the age of 21. If passed as written, the new prohibition on possession would apply broadly to anyone under 21, including those who already own such firearms.
SB173/HB229 prohibit the possession of any weapons in a hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services, and provides that any weapons seized in violation are forfeited to the Commonwealth.
ANTI-2A BILLS GOVERNOR SPANBERGER SIGNED:
SB496/HB110 place further restrictions on the ability for a law-abiding individual to keep a firearm in their vehicle for self-defense.
SB323/HB40 end the centuries-old practice of individuals building lawful firearms for personal use without government interference by prohibiting the manufacture of firearms without serial numbers. Transfer and possession of an unserialized or plastic firearm would be prohibited. This legislation would also penalize individuals who lawfully purchased unfinished frames and receivers before the bill’s effective date.
SB115 jeopardizes concealed carry permit reciprocity with other states.
SB27/HB21 create sweeping new standards of “responsible conduct” for members of the firearm industry, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The bill requires these businesses to establish and implement vague and subjective “reasonable controls” over the manufacture, sale, distribution, use, and marketing of firearm-related products. Further, it establishes a broad civil cause of action, allowing the Attorney General, local government attorneys, or private individuals to sue firearm businesses for injunctions, damages, and costs. This is a direct attack on the firearm industry and are designed to regulate the industry out of existence through litigation—despite longstanding federal protections.
SB272/HB626 limits who can carry firearms at public institutions of higher learning.
HB916 expands the curriculum requirements for Virginia concealed carry permit classes, and eliminates National Rifle Association & United States Concealed Carry Association courses from the code regarding Concealed Handgun Permit guidelines.
THE NRA STANDS READY TO CHALLENGE THESE UNCONSTITIONAL LAWS IN COURT
As the oldest civil rights organization in the United States, the NRA is fully prepared to exhaust the judicial system defending the Commonwealth and your Second Amendment rights against these egregious policies. Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for updates.
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