Senate Courts of Justice Turns Back Most of Governor Northam's Gun Control

Senate Courts of Justice wasted no time in dispatching the bulk of Governor Northam's gun control legislation this morning in their first meeting of the legislative session.  In total, 18 bills were defeated, including one of Governor Northam's top priorities - so-called "universal" background checks.  The list of bills is below.

• SB 2 Firearms; carrying loaded in public place, etc.
• SB 5 Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks, penalty.
• SB 63 Firearms; control of possession, etc., by localities at lawful demonstrations and protests.
• SB 119 Firearms; reporting when lost or stolen.
• SB 145 Firearm transfers; penalties.
• SB 209 Concealed handgun permits; sharing of information.
• SB 276 Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk, penalties.
• SB 288 Firearms; reporting when lost or stolen.
• SB 360 Firearms, etc.; permitted events.
• SB 412 Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks; penalty.
• SB 432 Firearms, transfer of; criminal history record information check, penalties.
• SB 433 Reporting lost or stolen firearms; civil penalty.
• SB 447 Firearm transfers; penalties.
• SB 641 Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearms by persons voluntarily admitted.
• SB 665 Prohibition on carrying of certain firearms in public places; County of Albemarle; penalty.
• SB 668 Localities; regulation of firearms in government buildings.
• SB 732 Possession or transportation of firearms.
• SB 794 Prohibition of sale, transfer, etc., of certain firearms magazines; penalties.

Unfortunately, two pro-gun bills that have passed in previous years and ultimately vetoed by former Governor McAullife, was withdrawn by the patron, Senator Jill Vogel.  Those bills are:

• SB 595 Carrying concealed handguns; protective orders.
• SB 596 Victims of domestic violence, etc.; firearms safety or training course.

Two pro-gun bills were reported out and referred to the Finance Committee:

• SB 48 Concealed handgun; eligibility to carry openly within Commonwealth.
• SB 715 Carrying a concealed handgun; firefighters and emergency medical services providers.

One "bump stock" bill (which incorporated two additional identical bills related to bump stocks - SB113 and SB676) was reported our of committee and referred to the Finance Committee:

• SB 1 Firearms; mechanical devices designed to increase rate of fire, penalty.

Several usually dependable pro-rights legislators joined anti-rights Senators in reporting the bill.  Senators Stanley, Sturtevant, Stuart, and Peake, as well as sometime pro-rights Senator Norment, joined the reliable anti-rights Senators of Saslaw, Howell, Lucas, Edwards, Stanley, Deeds,  and Petersen in reporting the bill. The discussion in the committee drifted to trigger replacements, modifications and changing factory standards.  SB1 is poorly written and will catch many more modifications than bump stocks if it passes.  The VSSA legislative team will continue to work legislators to defeat the bill.

Action on Northam's anti-gun agenda has yet to be taken in the House of Delegates.  Be sure to follow all of the legislative news here on the blog, as well as VSSA's Twitter and Facebook feeds.