RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia’s House of Delegates passed seven gun control bills Thursday, less than two weeks after more than 20,000 people swarmed Capitol Square to rally in support of gun rights.
Since Democrats swept the House and Senate in November, more than 100 Virginia localities have declared themselves “Second Amendment Sanctuaries” opposing the party’s progressive agenda.
Many of the bills that advanced on Thursday have already passed in the Senate. After years of failed efforts to tighten gun laws, approval in the House would be a significant step forward but not the end of the road for these bills.
Here’s a list of bills the House passed on Thursday.
- HB2 requires a background check for all firearm transfers. The bill outlines some exceptions, including transfers between immediate family members and those that occur within a shooting range, firearm safety course or competition. The bill removes the provision that makes background checks at gun shows voluntary.
- HB9 requires a person report a lost of stolen firearm to local law enforcement or state police within 24 hours after the discovery.
- HB 421 allows localities to adopt or enforce an ordinance governing the possession, carrying, storage or transporting of firearms.
- HB674, commonly known as a “red flag bill,” allows for the temporary confiscation of a firearm from a person who poses a substantial risk to themselves or others, otherwise known as a “red flag bill.” The legislation creates a legal process by which an order may be issued and extended.
- HB812 limits the sale of handguns to one per month. The bill sets exemptions, including for a licensed gun dealer.
- HB1004 prohibits any person subject to a permanent protective order from possessing a firearm throughout the duration of that order. The bill gives a person 24 hours after being served to legally transfer the gun.
- HB1083 sets penalties for someone who ‘recklessly’ leaves a loaded, unsecured firearm in any manner that could endanger a minor. The bill raises the age threshold from 14 to 18.
The House will still have to vote on the Senate’s version and vice versa. It’s possible a conference committee of lawmakers from both chambers will need to resolve the differences between bills before a final version reaches Gov. Ralph Northam’s desk.
“In a set-up like we have right now, where both chambers are controlled by the same party, then there’s generally no hiccups in that process, and often no need for conference committees on the bills,” said 8News political expert Rich Meagher. “Still, some bills have Senators or Delegates with particular concerns or constituencies, so there still may be a need to amend the bill.”
House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn released a statement applauding lawmaker’s efforts to get the legislation through.
Today we fulfilled our promise to make Virginia’s communities safer from preventable gun violence.
Too many Virginians have lost a family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker because their elected representatives refused to take measures to keep firearms away from those who would do harm to themselves or others.
While today’s actions will not lessen the grief of those who have lost loved ones to gun violence, the legislation passed in the House of Delegates will prevent more senseless deaths and make our Commonwealth safer.
A special thank you to House Public Safety Committee Chairman Patrick Hope and bill patrons Ken Plum, Jeff Bourne, Marcia Price, Cliff Hayes, Rip Sullivan, Jeion Ward and Mike Mullin for their leadership and commitment to preventing gun violence in our Commonwealth.”
– EILEEN FILLER-CORN (D-FAIRFAX)