gfw1985

These laws recently went into effect, figured I'd share.
After another successful legislative session this year in Richmond, law-abiding Virginians will see many important advances in their Second Amendment rights.

The following bills passed in the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Bob McDonnell will go into effect on Sunday, July 1:

Senate Bill 563, introduced by state Senator Frank Ruff(R-15), allows for the submission of an initial concealed handgun permit application via U.S. mail and also restricts the clerk and the circuit court from requesting or requiring any information from an applicant other than that which is allowed on the concealed handgun permit application.

House Bill 22, introduced by Delegate Mark Cole (R-88), establishes that no locality or entity may participate in a gun “buyback” program where individuals are given anything of value or money in exchange for surrendering a firearm to the locality, unless the governing body adheres to a strict procedure. Such procedure requires the governing body to first pass an ordinance authorizing the gun “buyback” and also requires that any locality holding gun "buybacks" must sell the firearms to a federally licensed firearms dealer “or be disposed of” in an appropriate manner if they cannot be sold.

House Bill 940 and Senate Bill 323, introduced by Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31) and state Senator Bill Carrico (R-40) respectively, repeals the prohibition on purchasing more than one handgun per month (gun rationing).

House Bill 20 and Senate Bill 245, introduced by Delegate Tony Wilt (R-26) and state Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26), updates the Emergency Powers statute by adding lawful carrying and transportation to the list of actions that cannot be prohibited during a declaration of emergency.

House Bill 26, introduced by Delegate Mark Cole (R-88), allows a court to waive a $25 dollar fine upon presentation of the permit to the court, if a person fails to display his concealed handgun permit when requested by a law enforcement officer.

House Bill 375, introduced by state Delegate Brenda Pogge (R-96), strengthens the state firearms preemption law by prohibiting local governments from enacting or enforcing workplace rules that prevent an employee of that locality from storing a lawfully possessed firearm or ammunition in their locked personal motor vehicle.

House Bill 754 and Senate Bill 67, introduced by Delegate Ben Cline (R-24) and state Senator Bill Stanley (R-20) respectively, removes the option for a locality to require an applicant for a concealed handgun permit to submit fingerprints with the initial application.

Thank you for contacting your state legislators and thus helping get these significant pro-gun bills enacted this year.

bearcatter

In regard to gun laws, VA is not a bad state to live in. We are proof to the anti-guns that laws favoring responsible gun ownwership, use, and carry do not lead to a "bloodbath in the streets".

I could write a list of other things about VA that aren't so good, but I suppose every state has its negatives.

gfw1985

No doubt we have problems. Some cities with the highest crime rates in the country. I think one of the main reasons VA is able to stay pro gun is the fact that it all starts at the grass roots level. Electing local officials that support your views, working up the ladder to the top positions. The system working as it was intended, proving it can work. Change, though slow, can be accomplished.

Nubianwarriorking

Yes, i would definitely have to agree that VA is not a bad state to live in in reference to gun laws. I hada friend who said that "in VA there are not that uptight about you having guns because everyone has one, and if you act a fool with your...well...."

I can't say i ever looked at it so eloquently, lol !

Just like anywhere we do have our bad areas too, but at least the good guys do not get their arms tied behind their backs with their rights to defend themselves. hat and avoiding the "seedy" spots never hurts neighter, lol !

Nubianwarriorking

The grassroots level is right. The Virginia Citizen's Defense Leauge
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL) also are pit bulls when it comes to fighting for gun rights in the state. hey have done some big things for VA gun owners.

bwinters

One of my daughters and sons in law live in Virginia and he is getting a carry permit for his job. As a NJ resident I am jealous and when I visit I always shower extra after returning to clean the gun freedom dust off of me so it does not alert local police I visited Free America.

North country gal

Keep up the good work, there in Virginia.

blahpony

I'm in VA and have submitted my application for CCW. I was surprised when I applied because I didn't get fingerprinted. I guess I know why now. I thought it was because I look so trustworthy.

HB 26 is interesting as well. It seems to make not having your permit physically on you just a "failure to produce" type infraction. I'm still going to make a bunch of copies of mine and stash them various places I tend to be.

WvDave

Here in West Virginia a laminated photo ID CC permit card is available for a few extra dollars when you apply for your permit. I got one and it is always in my wallet which is where my drivers license is, so if I am out anywhere at all, I will always have my permit.
Since open carry is also allowed, so if I am just out for a walk or a hike, and I don't have my wallet, I just keep the weapon visible.

Gringo

Like the bumper sticker says: "Virginia is for....GUN lovers"!!

Nubianwarriorking

LoL that was a good one !
I know it must suck hard being a proponet of firearms in NJ........

Nubianwarriorking

Yeah, we got to have some way to put a masculine spin on that old state slogan, LOL !

tinman

Yeah the VCDL is a great organisation. The concealed permit system is very good here in Va. I've had mine for around 15 years, no issues at all with businesses or cops.

tinman

The October 7th issue of the Virginian Pilot newspaper has an article describing a self-defense shooting. A guy defended himself from a nut attacking in a Rite-Aid and is now being held no bail on 2nd degree murder charges. The courts here in Virginia will destroy him, no doubt.