We’ve chronicled several times this year how lawful gun owners in Virginia have been firmly in the crosshairs of gun-ban advocates this session, emboldened by the election of Democrat Abigail Spanberger as governor late last year.
Four punitive anti-gun measures have recently been sent to Gov. Spanberger for her consideration after being approved in both the House and the Senate. And all will have dire consequences for law-abiding Virginians if Gov. Spanberger signs them into law.
One measure, Senate Bill 727, would outlaw the carrying and transporting of many common firearms on public property. And according to a report from NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), this includes semi-automatic rifles and pistols that are equipped with any of the following features: A fixed magazine with over 10 rounds, a standard magazine over 20 rounds, a folding stock, the ability to accept suppressors, along with many other obscurities.
Two other measures, Senate Bill 27 and House Bill 21, would have devastating consequences for firearms manufacturers, distributors and retailers by creating sweeping new standards of “responsible conduct.”
“The bill requires these businesses to establish and implement vague and subjective ‘reasonable controls’ over the manufacture, sale, distribution, use and marketing of firearm-related products,” NRA-ILA explained. “Further, it establishes a broad civil cause of action, allowing the Attorney General, local government attorneys, or private individuals to sue firearm businesses for injunctions, damages, and costs. This is a direct attack on the firearm industry and is designed to regulate the industry out of existence through litigation—despite longstanding federal protections. “
The final bill that was sent to Gov. Spanberger, House Bill 40, would end the centuries-old practice of individuals building lawful firearms for personal use without government interference.
“Transfer and possession of an unserialized or plastic firearm would be prohibited,” NRA-ILA explained. “This legislation would also penalize individuals who lawfully purchased unfinished frames and receivers before the bill’s effective date.”
In a last-ditch effort to head off the bills, the NRA is hoping that enough calls to the governor from members and other gun owners could convince her to veto the measure.
“It’s critical that NRA members and Second Amendment supporters contact the Governor today and urge her veto of these extreme anti-gun measures!” NRA-ILA concluded. “Contact the Governor by phone at 804-786-2211 and or clicking the Take Action button.”
The “Take Action” button takes the reader to a web form where they can sign on to an email to the governor’s office. In part, the email states: “I urge you to veto SB 727, SB 27, HB 21 and HB 40. These bills do nothing to improve public safety and instead punish law-abiding Virginians who responsibly exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
