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Breaking Election results as of 10 PM:
Senate District 37 - Marsden 11,943, Hunt 11,626
Senate District 8 - McWaters 8,051, Fleming 2,184
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A whole bunch of bills have hit - the vast majority are pro-gun. There will probably be more coming over the next week or so and you will be updated as they are introduced.
***A detailed alert on Lobby Day, with information for those attending will be coming out very shortly.***
VCDL STRONGLY SUPPORTS
HB 236, Delegate Janis (R - Henrico), allows hunting within one-half mile of any subdivision or other area of such municipal incorporation. However, such hunting cannot be done if a reckless manner as to endanger persons or property. Among other things, this bill allows a hunter shooting down toward the ground from a blind in a tree, as the bullet will go into the earth and not endanger others at that angle. It would also allow a hunter whose blind is facing away from such subdivision to be able to hunt.
HB 251, Delegate Merricks (R - Chatham), prevents a person who has to use justifiable deadly force to protect innocent life, from being sued civilly. Such lawsuits can financially destroy the life of someone who has done nothing wrong.
HB 475, Delegate Carrico (R - Galax), allows concealed handgun permit holders to carry a concealed handgun in the parking lots of K-12 schools. It also allows the concealed handgun permit holder to carry into parts of a K-12 school building that are not being used for any school-related functions or extracurricular activities, such as night adult education classes or square dancing classes, etc. This bill was put in for VCDL.
HB 489, Delegate Lingamfelter (R - Woodbridge), totally rewrites the concealed carry code (18.2-308) to make it easier to navigate. This bill does not change any currently law, just reorganizes it.
HB 490, Delegate Lingamfelter (R - Woodbridge), requires the Virginia State Police to develop a plan so that concealed handgun permits can be issued for a lifetime.
HB 505, Delegate Gilbert (R - Woodstock), repeals the ban on concealed handgun permit holders carrying a concealed handgun in a restaurant. It has a caveat that the permit holder does not consume alcohol in the restaurant while carrying concealed. VCDL prefers Delegate Cole's bill HB 106, which simply repeals the ban in its entirety.
VCDL STRONGLY OPPOSES
SB 269, Senator Whipple (D - Arlington), allows local government to ban guns on property owned by that locality. This destroys preemption and would create a web of complicated gun laws that would do nothing to deter criminals, but would make it much harder for a law-abiding citizen to be able to carry a handgun for self-defense.
HB 520, Delegate Morrissey (R - RIchmond), requires that anyone who sells three or more guns at a gun show be a Federal Firearms Licensee. This puts a huge, unnecessary, and arbitrary barrier to anyone who wishes to sell part of a gun collection.
VCDL IS NEUTRAL (but watching the first 3 bills VERY carefully)
SB 84, Senator Howell (D - Reston), deals with involuntary mental-health commitment. Amongst other things, the bill allows a person to voluntarily admit himself or herself for treatment if a temporary detention order has been issued, but not yet served. Such person is to be notified that they will lose their right to own firearms. The bill needs to be changed to make such notification in writing.
SB 86, Senator Howell (D - Reston), deals with involuntary mental-health commitment. Amongst other things, the bill allows a person to voluntarily admit himself or herself for treatment if a temporary detention order has been issued, but not yet served. Such person is to be notified that they will lose their right to own firearms. The bill needs to be changed to make such notification in writing.
HB 305, Delegate O'Bannon (R - Richmond), deals with involuntary mental-health commitment. Amongst other things, the bill allows a person to voluntarily admit himself or herself for treatment if a temporary detention order has been issued, but not yet served. Such person is to be notified that they will lose their right to own firearms. The bill needs to be changed to make such notification in writing.
HB 637, Delegate Armstrong (D - Martinsville), exempts boarding team members or boarding officers of the Coast Guard from having to pay for their concealed handgun permits. VCDL does not see a need to keep adding to the list of special interest groups who don't have to pay the $50 fee for a concealed handgun permit.
