Senator Henry Marsh’s SB 1257 advanced to Third Reading today and set up a vote on final passage as soon as Friday, January 30. Virginia gun owners need to call their senators now and urge them to oppose the bill and vote no.
Archive for January, 2009
Gun Show Loophole Bill Advances to Vote on Final Passage
Posted in gun rights, Politics, tagged gun show loophole, Senator Henry Marsh, Virginia General Assembly on January 29, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Grad student killed at Va. Tech
Posted in gun rights, tagged concealed handguns, Virginia Tech on January 22, 2009| Leave a Comment »
A female Virginia Tech graduate student was stabbed to death decapitated yesterday. The victim lived at the graduate center. Authorities identified the suspect as Haiyang Zhu, 25, of China. He was charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond, accordin to university spokeman Larry Hincker. The assault took place in the center’s cafe, Au Bon Pain.
Sadly, the university has made it impossible for students to protect themselves against such attacks because they prohibit students, faculty, and other staff from carrying firearms on campus and school property.
Gun Bills Moving Quickly in General Assembly
Posted in gun rights, tagged gun purchase tax, SB1166, Virginia General Assembly on January 21, 2009| Leave a Comment »
There are over 20 firearm related bills so far that have been introduced for the 2009 Session of the Virginia General Assembly and we still have three days before the filing deadline. The usual suspects like closing the “gun show loophole” and gutting Virginia’s preemption statute are part of the list. Also, there is a bill (SB 1166) that would more than double the fee paid by the purchaser of firearms for background checks. If the bill passes the fee will increase from $2 to $5. This is all done solely to try and close the projected $4 billion hole in the budget. If the fee increase was to pay increased costs associated with the background checks that would be one thing but it isn’t, they want to balance the budget on the backs of gun owners.
You can find a complete list of the firearm related bills here. Gun owners need to contact their State Senators today and urge them to oppose the gun purchase tax.
Gun-show loophole takes center stage today
Posted in gun rights, Politics, tagged gun show loophole, Virginia Crime Commission on January 13, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The Virgina Crime Commission meets this morning at 10:00 AM to determine whether to support legislation addressing the so-called “gun show loophole.” Its at the top of the agenda so we should know their decision before noon. I’m betting no on “loophole” legislation but its any body’s guess if they go another route such as creating a definition for what type or how many guns sold make an individual a dealer to try and passify the moonbats – which it won’t.
More Firearms Legislation Introduced at General Assembly
Posted in gun rights, Politics, tagged Concealed Handgun Permits, Delegate Brenda Pogge, Delegate Joe Johnson, firearms legislation, restaurant ban, Senator Steve Martin, Virginia General Assembly on January 12, 2009| Leave a Comment »
With the start of the 2009 Session of the General Assembly a couple days away, four additional firearms related bills have been introduced.
HB 1734– Introduced by Delegate Brenda Pogge, amends various processes, procedures, and requirements for obtaining a Virginia concealed handgun permit. Among the amendments is a provision that allows permit applications to be submitted and returned by mail, and specifies that the court may not require any additional information with a permit application other than what is required or authorized by § 18.2-308. If a current permit holder wishes to obtain a replacement permit indicating a change of address, the permit holder is no longer required to provide proof of the new address.
HB 1741– Also introduced by Delegate Pogge, increases from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony the possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18.
HB 1748– Another bill introduced by Delegate Pogge, clarifies that no locality may require a person who has previously been issued a concealed handgun permit in the Commonwealth to submit to fingerprinting for a new permit. (There have been reports that some localities have tried to continue requiring fingerprints for permit renewals.)
HB 1821Democratic Delegate Joe Johnson has introduced a bill to repeal the ban on carrying concealed in a restaurant serving alcohol. A person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of a restaurant or club from consuming an alcoholic beverage while on the premises. A person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of a restaurant or club shall inform a designated employee of the restaurant or club of that fact. A person who consumes alcohol in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor and a person who becomes intoxicated in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
HB 1822 Delegate Johnson has also introduced a bill exempting concealed handgun permit holders from the prohibition of carrying a firearm on to the property of a public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school.
SB 877 – Senator Steve Martin of Chesterfield introduced this bill and it clarifies that retired law-enforcement officers from anywhere in the United States, District of Columbia, or territories of the United States are not subject to Virginia’s concealed handgun laws, if such officer meets the requirements of the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004. The federal law allows retired officers with more than 15 years aggregate experience, who are certified annually on handgun proficiency, and meet other requirements, to carry a concealed weapon anywhere in the United States.
The restaurant bill could make it through the House and Senate again but I have no doubt that Governor Tim Kaine will veto it like last year.
Shooting Helps Social Skills says Eric Clapton
Posted in Shooting Sports, tagged celebrity gun owners, Eric Clapton on January 7, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Contactmusic.com reported on December 22nd that rocker Eric Clapton is a fan of shooting. Clapton said “I’m not really that gregarious. And shooting with groups of people up and down the country has taught me a lot about how to get on with my fellow human beings.”
He also said he recently sold 13 pieces of his firearm collection at an auction in Britain. According to a spokesman for Holt’s auctioneers in Norfolk, England, “He sold because he has developed a preference for a particular type of gun.”
I have always liked Clapton’s music. This just makes me an even bigger fan.
Hat tip to the TSRA Weekly Sportsman.