31 JAN 2022 Legislative Affairs Committee Update
This is your 31 JAN update from your Friendly Neighborhood Legislative Affairs Committee. Here is the latest on the 2A bills in Richmond.
HB 26 Firearms; control by localities of possession or carrying.
Summary – Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit.
Status – This bill is referred to the House Committee on Public Safety.
HB 133 Firearms or other weapons; possession on school property.
Summary – Possession of firearms or other weapons on school property. Removes preschools and licensed child day centers that are not operated at the residence of the provider or of any of the children from the list of schools where possessing a firearm or other weapon on school property or on a school bus is prohibited.
Status – Referred to House Committee on Rules.
HB 391 School board property, certain; repeals establishment of gun-free zone.
Summary – Certain school board property; establishment of gun-free zone permitted. Removes the authority of any school board to deem any non-school zone building or property that it owns or leases where employees of such school board are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties as a gun-free zone. Under current law, any school board may prohibit any individual, subject to exceptions, from knowingly possessing, purchasing, transferring, carrying, storing, or transporting firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof while such individual is upon such property.
Status – Referred to House Committee on Education
SB 330 Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.
Summary – Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required. Allows any person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun openly within the Commonwealth.
Status – Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (8-Y 6-N). This means no Constitutional Carry in Virginia.
Do remember the best thing you can do is to contact your State Delegate and Senator to express your opinion on the above legislation. The easiest way to do so is by identifying your representatives here : https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Do this, join VCDL, and stay tuned to your Friendly Neighborhood Legislative Affairs Committee and you are good.