wingedmonkey
Inactive
Though you likely have not heard about it in the press, approximately 17 good pro-gun bills become law in Virginia today. The Virginia Shooting Sports Association (VSSA), NRA, the Virginia Firearms Dealers Association, and C&E Gun Shows, among others, worked very hard during the General Assembly and this was the best year in ten years - where we played offense rather than defense. A partial list of the new laws follow.
HB404 Concealed handguns; allows permit holders to purchase more than one handgun per month.
HB530 Firearms; control by localities. Removes the grandfather clause that allows localities to enforce ordinances governing firearms that were passed before January 1, 1987, and affirmatively declares that any local ordinances adopted prior to January 1, 1987, are invalid. The bill also removes language relating to the purchase of handguns that would allow a more stringent local ordinance relating to purchase or transfer of firearms adopted prior to January 1, 1987, to supercede state law relating to purchase or transfer.
HB402 Concealed handguns; issuance of a de facto permit. Provides that a copy of a concealed handgun permit application will become a de facto permit if the court does not grant or deny the permit within 45 days of receipt of the completed application. The bill requires the clerk of the court to record the date that the completed application is received, and certify on the application if no action is taken by the court within the required 45-day time period.
HB484 Firearms; permit to sell or purchase in certain counties. Repeals provision that authorized counties to require a permit for the sale and purchase of revolvers and requires that any records created pursuant to that provision that are in the custody of a county be destroyed no later than July 31, 2004.
HB215 Concealed handguns; reciprocal agreements for permits with other states.
Provides that an out-of-state concealed weapons permit authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a handgun in the Commonwealth if the permit holder is at least 21 years of age. The bill allows recognition of the other state's permit even if the other state has a lower age requirement and permits weapons other than handguns. Virginia's age requirement (21 years) would apply and the only weapon authorized while the permit holder is in Virginia is a handgun. The bill allows the Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, to enter into reciprocity agreements with any state qualifying for recognition under these requirements. In addition, the bill establishes a procedure for nonresidents of the Commonwealth who are at least 21 years old to apply to the Virginia Department of State Police for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun, which includes proof of demonstrated competence with a handgun. The bill also requires residents of the Commonwealth to submit proof of demonstrated competence when applying for a concealed handgun permit. Previously, it was left to the court's discretion as to whether or not to require proof of competency.
HB238 Concealed weapons; permits by persons out-of-state. Provides that an out-of-state concealed weapons permit authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a handgun in the Commonwealth if the permit holder is at least 21 years of age. The bill allows recognition of the other state's permit even if the other state has a lower age requirement and permits weapons other than handguns. Virginia's age requirement (21 years) would apply and the only weapon authorized while the permit holder is in Virginia is a handgun.
HB1144 Firearms; regulations governing purchase in or outside State. Provides that the law governing purchase of firearms in Virginia by Virginians shall not apply to restrict purchase, trade or transfer of firearms by a resident of Virginia when the resident of Virginia makes such purchase, trade or transfer in another state and that when a resident of Virginia makes a purchase, trade or transfer of firearms in another state, the laws and regulations of that state and of the United States governing the purchase, trade or transfer of firearms shall apply. The bill specifies that a National Criminal Background Check System check must be performed prior to the purchase, trade or transfer.
HB1150 Firearms; control by localities. Prohibits a local government from adopting an ordinance governing the storage of firearms or ammunition. Currently, a local government is prohibited from adopting an ordinance governing the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, or transporting of firearms or ammunition.
HB1302 Firearms; abolishes provisions regulating sales and purchases in contiguous states. Repeals provisions regulating sales of firearms to residents of contiguous states and purchase of firearms by Virginia residents in contiguous states.
HB444 Concealed weapons; residency requirement for application for permit. States that there is no requirement as to the length of time an applicant for a concealed handgun permit must have been a resident or domiciliary of the county or city where he applies.
SB326 Concealed weapons; applicability while engaged in hunting. Provides that the possession of a handgun while engaged in lawful hunting shall not be construed as hunting with a handgun if the person hunting carries a concealed handgun permit.
Gun Raffle
HB404 Concealed handguns; allows permit holders to purchase more than one handgun per month.
HB530 Firearms; control by localities. Removes the grandfather clause that allows localities to enforce ordinances governing firearms that were passed before January 1, 1987, and affirmatively declares that any local ordinances adopted prior to January 1, 1987, are invalid. The bill also removes language relating to the purchase of handguns that would allow a more stringent local ordinance relating to purchase or transfer of firearms adopted prior to January 1, 1987, to supercede state law relating to purchase or transfer.
HB402 Concealed handguns; issuance of a de facto permit. Provides that a copy of a concealed handgun permit application will become a de facto permit if the court does not grant or deny the permit within 45 days of receipt of the completed application. The bill requires the clerk of the court to record the date that the completed application is received, and certify on the application if no action is taken by the court within the required 45-day time period.
HB484 Firearms; permit to sell or purchase in certain counties. Repeals provision that authorized counties to require a permit for the sale and purchase of revolvers and requires that any records created pursuant to that provision that are in the custody of a county be destroyed no later than July 31, 2004.
HB215 Concealed handguns; reciprocal agreements for permits with other states.
Provides that an out-of-state concealed weapons permit authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a handgun in the Commonwealth if the permit holder is at least 21 years of age. The bill allows recognition of the other state's permit even if the other state has a lower age requirement and permits weapons other than handguns. Virginia's age requirement (21 years) would apply and the only weapon authorized while the permit holder is in Virginia is a handgun. The bill allows the Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, to enter into reciprocity agreements with any state qualifying for recognition under these requirements. In addition, the bill establishes a procedure for nonresidents of the Commonwealth who are at least 21 years old to apply to the Virginia Department of State Police for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun, which includes proof of demonstrated competence with a handgun. The bill also requires residents of the Commonwealth to submit proof of demonstrated competence when applying for a concealed handgun permit. Previously, it was left to the court's discretion as to whether or not to require proof of competency.
HB238 Concealed weapons; permits by persons out-of-state. Provides that an out-of-state concealed weapons permit authorizes the holder of the permit to carry a handgun in the Commonwealth if the permit holder is at least 21 years of age. The bill allows recognition of the other state's permit even if the other state has a lower age requirement and permits weapons other than handguns. Virginia's age requirement (21 years) would apply and the only weapon authorized while the permit holder is in Virginia is a handgun.
HB1144 Firearms; regulations governing purchase in or outside State. Provides that the law governing purchase of firearms in Virginia by Virginians shall not apply to restrict purchase, trade or transfer of firearms by a resident of Virginia when the resident of Virginia makes such purchase, trade or transfer in another state and that when a resident of Virginia makes a purchase, trade or transfer of firearms in another state, the laws and regulations of that state and of the United States governing the purchase, trade or transfer of firearms shall apply. The bill specifies that a National Criminal Background Check System check must be performed prior to the purchase, trade or transfer.
HB1150 Firearms; control by localities. Prohibits a local government from adopting an ordinance governing the storage of firearms or ammunition. Currently, a local government is prohibited from adopting an ordinance governing the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, or transporting of firearms or ammunition.
HB1302 Firearms; abolishes provisions regulating sales and purchases in contiguous states. Repeals provisions regulating sales of firearms to residents of contiguous states and purchase of firearms by Virginia residents in contiguous states.
HB444 Concealed weapons; residency requirement for application for permit. States that there is no requirement as to the length of time an applicant for a concealed handgun permit must have been a resident or domiciliary of the county or city where he applies.
SB326 Concealed weapons; applicability while engaged in hunting. Provides that the possession of a handgun while engaged in lawful hunting shall not be construed as hunting with a handgun if the person hunting carries a concealed handgun permit.
Gun Raffle
