Gun Bills Headed to Governor

Several gun bills are now headed to Governor Spanberger.  VSSA's lobbying team is monitoring the situation but it appears that the worst of the bills will not reach her desk in time to require action before the end of the session which is currently scheduled for March 14.  The bills that have passed both houses include:

SB727: This bill prohibits carrying and transporting many types of common firearms on public property. This includes semi-automatic rifles & pistols that are equipped with any of the following features: A fixed magazine with over 10 rounds, a standard magazine over 20 rounds, a folding stock, ability to accept suppressors, along with many other obscurities.

SB27 & HB21: These bills target the firearms industry, including manufacturers and retailers, in an attempt to get around the federal Protection in Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and creates 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. It also allows for frivolous law suits against the industry, establishing a broad civil cause of action, allowing the Attorney General, Commonwealth Attorneys, or private individuals to sue firearm businesses for injunctions, damages, and costs. This is a direct attack on the firearm industry.

HB40: This bill is the so-called "ghost gun" bill and will end the centuries-old practice of individuals building lawful firearms for personal use without government interference.  It prohibits the manufacture of firearms without serial numbers. Transfer and possession of an unserialized or plastic firearm will be prohibited. This legislation will also penalize individuals who lawfully purchased unfinished frames and receivers before the bill’s effective date.

There is one good bill also headed to the governor.  HB101 will allow for alternate methods of submission of applications for concealed handgun permits by removing the requirement that such applications be submitted in writing.

Continue to check www.myvssa.org/legislation for updates concerning your Second Amendment rights in Virginia.