House passes assault weapons ban
The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill banning the purchase, sale, and transfer of assault firearms and certain ammunition-feeding devices.
The legislation, HB 2, was introduced by Del. Dan Helmer (D-Clifton). Violation would be a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Among other legislation related to firearms, the House passed a bill (HB 22) that bans the sale and possession of auto sears, defined as small, inexpensive devices that can turn a handgun into a fully automatic weapon.
The House also passed HB 183, introduced by Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church), which requires gun owners with minors in the house to store firearms and ammunition in a locked place inaccessible to minors. A similar bill, SB 368, was referred to the Senate Committee for Courts and Justice.
The “crossover” deadline is Feb. 13, when each chamber has to complete work on legislation that originated in that chamber. Any legislation approved by the General Assembly can either by signed or vetoed by the governor.
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Some of the other bills advancing in the General Assembly include the following:
Sales tax – The Senate passed a bill (SB 14) to authorize all counties and cities to implement an additional sales tax, not to exceed 1 percent, to fund school construction if approved by voters in a referendum.
Minimum wage – The full House of Delegates passed HB 1, which would raise the minimum wage to $13.50 an hour on Jan. 1, 2025, and to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2026. This measure re-enacts a bill passed in a previous year.
Utilities – The House of Delegates passed HB 906, which would prevent electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities from shutting off service to residential customers for nonpayment within 30 days after a state of emergency or when the forecasted temperature is below 32 degrees or above 95 degrees. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Prescription drugs – A bill to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (SB 274) cleared the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and now moves on to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. The board would set an upper payment limit on a few of the highest-cost medications.
Health insurance – The House Labor and Commerce Committee cleared the Contraceptive Equity Act (HB 819), which requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices.
Book banning – The Senate approved SB 235 which affirms that policies in the 2023 law requiring parental notification on instructional materials that include sexually explicit should not be interpreted as permitting book banning.
Cocktails – The House passed HB 688, to allow restaurants to continue to provide cocktails on a to-go basis. It would repeal the July 1, 2024, sunset of this provision which was enacted during the pandemic.
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Alleluia on the gun bill! Thank you, Dan Helmer & Marcus Simon!!
Totally support responsible firearm ownership and HB 183 seems to be in that perspective. Interesting that HB 2 only applies to items made after July 1 2024, if enacted. That means everything in state is grandfathered (have no idea of the number of items), and will result in increased value for those items grandfathered (just as the old federal ban on firearm appearances did). Also expect to see a rush to purchase those items, if past behavior is any indicator, before the July date. Not clear how this would apply to individuals that move to VA and bring with them their lawful possessions. Also not clear how this will hold up in the courts. The intent is understood but making owners responsible is how to address the issue without compromise or complications. Look at MI mother just convicted of manslaughter for her son’s actions with a firearm.
Definition of “assault weapon” vague and should be inapplicable until specifically defined….next there will be a ban on knives, fists, etc
Maybe as soon as someone breaks into a school or mall or concert and kills 20 people with their fists. In the meantime, I think it’s pretty clear what an assault weapon is to anyone who is not intentionally engaged in NRA-style obfuscation.
Or people who believe in the Constitution.
Really? Off of the way it looks. Just simply amazing and sad.
You are correct, I like the way the Constitution looks as written. No so much when smart guys like you ‘interpret’ it to suit your cause du jour.
From Virginia State Law
§ 18.2-308.2:2
“Assault firearm” means any semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock.
That’s a reasonable definition of an assault weapon as opposed to some other states definitions.
I agree it’s a reasonable definition.
In case anyone is wondering, semi automatic means you press the trigger, a round fires, the gun reloads itself and you press the trigger to fire again. You don’t have to reload or cock the gun.
Compared to single shot where you have to cock or reload between shots.
Fully automatic means the gun keeps firing as long as the trigger is pressed, ie a machine gun, which are banned.
I had to look it up to be sure. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Machine guns are NOT banned. They are restricted as a class 3 firearm which can be owned and trafficked in provided the holder has the license and has purchased the tax stamp for the weapon (and the suppressor if the holder also has one).
People need to be educated.
Firearms exist to fight a government that has assumed more power than was envisioned.
The same government that weakens its citizens will hold onto its guns.
That same government is enabling millions of people to cross the border.
Those people flea countries where their government took their guns, except for the cartels, who then took control.
Removing these “weapons” only targets innocent people, whom will eventually be the defenseless lambs for slaughter.
This is a horrible idea. It is reckless and either driven by emotion, ignorance, madness, or maliciousness. Don’t do it. Reconsider. We don’t want to be Ecuador.
Very nicely said the right to bear arms
I agree with you 100%
Well stated
Perhaps people are indeed fleeing fleas.
Still doesn’t make any sense for civilians to possess assault weapons.
The bill is not outlawing gun ownership.
Great, now we are banning firearms based on ergonomic features that make a rifle more accessible to lightweight women. Nothing about “assault weapons” makes them more or less deadly than a legal semi-automatic rifle without those features. Here is hoping the governor blocks this bill. I don’t want VA tax dollars wasted defending this bill in the courts. And if it is challenged, the VA AG should take a page out of the Biden administration US AG’s playbook and choose not to defend the law in court. Let the VA democrats foot the bill to defend it.
So lightweight women can only use a rifle if it has a folding stock? My 10 year old can hold my 22 with a standard stock, I’m sure women can manage. Or maybe they need the silencer? or the 20 round magazine?
From Virginia State Law
§ 18.2-308.2:2
“Assault firearm” means any semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock.
Wrong again! Keep trying!🤪🤪
Whew! Good thing the “free, law abiding” citizens of the state can keep their rim fire semi autos that can carry 30 to 100 rounds. See, the argument makes no sense…..we all know the true intent.
The VA gun control bills will also pass in the VA Senate before the end of the session; the assault weapon/hi-capacity mag items are already declared unconstitutional in multiple US jurisdictions, so this is merely a temporary feel-good action by Dems “because they can” – a well-known adolescent attitude.
GOA, VCDL, NSSF, perhaps in some combination, will file lawsuits on the bills’ effective date, perhaps VA Gov will veto them all…we’ll see.
Rest assured it’s only a matter of time before these “laws” are crushed once and for all, and never to return in Virginia regardless of which party holds power…
HB2 is a continuation of politicians’ efforts to evade the root cause of gun violence while wasting an incredible amount of time and money on additional useless anti-gun legislation. It’s what’s between the ears, not what’s in the hands. The root cause is the glorification of violence by our “entertainment” industry. Take the “John Wick” series, for example. The “hero” solves his every problem by grabbing a gun and shooting everyone who bothers him. Same theme in the original and 3 sequels. Shooting others solves your problems. Young impressionable minds lap that up … and ultimately emulate it. Same story for the video game industry. The most popular games have the player picking up a gun and killing as many of his “enemies” as he can. So is there any wonder where those who feel bullied or oppressed come up with the idea of evening the score by grabbing a gun? Address that root cause and you will begin solving the real problem. Passing useless anti-gun laws alienates potential allies
Amen
Even if it passes the Senate, the right-wing governor won’t sign it.
Just one of many gratifying outcomes so far.