Opinion
VCDL Legislative Update 1/30/24.
Virginia Democrats in the General Assembly continue their rampage against Virginia’s gun owners, and Republicans continue to fight for us. Votes in committee and subcommittee were all along party lines.
When I point out in committee that a gun-control bill they are voting on is unconstitutional, the Democrats look at me like, “What? We have a Constitution?! No way!”
I’m beginning to wonder why the Democrats bother taking their oath of office. You know, where they swear to uphold and defend the Constitution? At least that way they wouldn’t waste everybody’s time with something they have no intention of doing.
When I point out that a particular bill is only going to hurt concealed handgun permit holders and will do nothing to deter criminals, the Democrats’ eyes glaze over. They aren’t even impressed with the fact that in 2023, only 1/10 of 1 percent of CHP holders had their permits revoked for ANY reason. That is an incredibly great number. But the Democrats effectively put their fingers in their ears and say “LA LA LA LA LA” whenever I provide those numbers.
NOTE: On Floor votes in the House (see last section of this alert), Republicans Coyner, Ennis, Tata, and Green VOTED FOR GUN CONTROL! That makes those bills “bipartisan,” which is not good. The Democrats are surely not voting bipartisan on any Republican gun-rights bills! I’m disgusted by those bad votes. There is no excuse. If you live in their district, you might want to give them a phone call to politely express your thoughts on their voting against your right to self-defense, the Constitution, and their party platform. Coyner (804-698-1075), Ennis (804-698-1089), Tata (804-698-1099), and Green (804-698-1069).
Here are the gun-bill votes since the last Legislative Update. Remember that you can see the status of all gun bills on Virginia Citizens Defense League’s Legislative Tracker any time: www.vcdl-lis.org.
House Public Safety Firearms Subcommittee 1/25/24
On Thursday, January 25, the House Public Safety Firearms subcommittee considered the following bills. All gun-control bills passed on a party-line vote and all pro-gun bills were defeated on a party-line vote. The Democrats voted for gun control and against gun-rights. The Republicans voted against gun control and for gun-rights.
Gun-control bills that reported out of subcommittee:
- HB 12, Jones, locking device and warning sticker on firearms being sold was rolled into HB158, McClure.
- HB 158, McClure, locking device and warning sticker on firearms being sold.
- HB 183, Simon, requires firearms to be locked up when a minor is present in the home.
- HB 351, Clark, requires a locking device be sold with any firearm going into a home that has a minor living there.
- HB 585, Mundon King, prohibits home-based gun dealers within 1.5 miles of a school.
- HB 791, Henson, makes carry of pneumatic guns on school property a Class 6 FELONY.
- HB 1174, Sickles, makes it illegal for someone under 21 to purchase an “assault firearm.”
Gun-rights bills that were defeated in subcommittee:
- HB 289, Wiley, parking lots open to the public cannot ban storage of firearms in the vehicle.
- HB 756, Walker, allows carry at rest stops.
- HB 872, Earley, allows state employees, visitors, and contractors to store their guns in a state-owned parking lot open to the public.
- HB 1141, Cordoza, requires the State Police to issue a non-resident CHP within 90 days.
- House Public Safety full committee 1/26/24
On Friday, January 26, the House Public Safety full committee considered the following bills. All gun-control bills passed on a party-line vote and all pro-gun bills were defeated on a party-line vote. The Democrats voted for gun control and against gun-rights. The Republicans voted against gun control and for gun-rights.
Gun-control bills that reported out of full committee:
- HB 12, Jones, locking device and warning sticker on firearms being sold was rolled into HB158, McClure.
- HB 158, McClure, locking device and warning sticker on firearms being sold.
- HB 183, Simon, requires firearms to be locked up when a minor is present in the home.
- HB 351, Clark, requires a locking device be sold with any firearm going into a home that has a minor living there.
- HB 585, Mundon King, prohibits home-based gun dealers within 1.5 miles of a school.
- HB 791, Henson, makes carry of pneumatic guns on school property a Class 6 FELONY.
- HB 1174, Sickles, makes it illegal for someone under 21 to purchase an “assault firearm.”
Gun-rights bills that were defeated in full committee:
- HB 389, Griffin, Constitutional carry.
- HB 1030, Freitas, Constitutional carry.
Senate Courts of Justice committee 1/29/24
On Monday, January 29, the Senate Courts of Justice committee considered the following bills. All gun-control bills passed on a party-line vote and all pro-gun bills were defeated on a party-line vote. The Democrats voted for gun control and against gun-rights. The Republicans voted against gun control and for gun-rights.
Gun-control bills that reported out of committee:
- SB 368, Boysko, requires a locking device be sold with any firearm going into a home that has a minor living there.
- SB 383, Deeds, makes it illegal to carry in a higher education building.
- SB 491, Carroll Foy, allows for dealers and manufacturers of firearms-related products to be sued for things they have no control over.
Gun-rights bills that were defeated in committee:
- SB 583, Diggs, allows carry in rest areas.
Gun-Control Bills That Have Passed The Senate
These bills now head over to the House and will be heard after February 11:
- SB 47, Favola, person holding a firearm for a prohibited person must be at least 21 years old and live at a different address.
- SB 447, Marsden, $500 civil penalty and towing for leaving a handgun visible in a parked, unoccupied vehicle.
GUN-CONTROL BILLS THAT HAVE PASSED THE HOUSE
These bills now head over to the Senate and will be heard after February 11:
- HB 46, Bennett-Parker, person holding a firearm for a prohibited person must be at least 21 years old and live at a different address. Republicans Coyner and Green voted for this gun-control bill.
- HB 498, Cohen, requires schools to send text to parents, within 30 days of school starting, about securing their firearms. Republicans Coyner and Tata voted for this gun-control bill.
- HB 466, Helmer, does severe damage to reciprocity and the ability of Virginians to travel in many states while armed. Republican Ennis voted for this gun-control bill.
More gun bills will be heard this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
About Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL):
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right.
For more information, visit: www.vcdl.org.
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