Legislative Affairs Committee Update

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Here’s this week’s update from your Friendly Neighborhood Legislative Affairs Committee.  In this note:

  1. Legislative Updates
  2. Fairfax County Hearing on Gun Control
  3. Finding Your elected representatives, both State and Federal
  4. VCDL Lobby Day

1. Legislative Updates

There has not been much progress on the 2A bills of interest.   Their progress is as follows:

  • HB5020 – Local control of firearms; concealed handgun permit. Provides that any local ordinances that prohibit the possession, carrying, or transportation of any firearms, ammunition, or components or combination shall not apply to a person who has a valid concealed handgun permit.
    • No Change.  This Bill has been sent to the Committee on Public Safety for consideration.  No movement since 15 AUG.
  • SB5041 – Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence; effective date. Amends the delayed enactment clause for Chapter 390 and the delayed enactment clause for Chapter 1130 of the Acts of Assembly of 2020 so that the provisions of such chapters will take effect on January 1, 2022, instead of January 1, 2021. The bill has an emergency clause.
    • This Bill is ready to be sent to the House for consideration on Cross-Over Day.
  • HB5024 – Eliminates the Class 1 misdemeanor penalty for a person who purchases a firearm from another person without obtaining the required criminal history record information check. The bill also eliminates the question on the form provided to a firearm dealer by the Department of State Police asking whether a prospective purchaser of a firearm has ever been the subject of a mental health temporary detention order and subsequently agreed to a voluntary admission.
    • This Bill remains in the Committee on Public Safety for consideration.  No action on it since 17 AUG.

2.   Fairfax County will hold a public hearing on September 15, at 4:30 PM, at the Fairfax County Government Center to consider the adoption of amendments to Chapter 6 of the Fairfax County Code related to weapons.

Specifically, the proposed legislation will prohibit the possession, carrying and transportation of firearms, ammunition, or components in County buildings, parks, recreation and community centers and at permitted events and areas adjacent to permitted events.

Gun owners in Fairfax County as well as other gun owners that may be impacted by this ordnance are encouraged to make your voice heard at this hearing.  The county encourages members of the public to take advantage of virtual options for providing testimony on all public hearings.  More information about public hearing testimonies can be found at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/clerkservices/ways-provide-public-hearing-testimony

3.  Finding Your elected representatives, both State and Federal.

Your state representatives should hear from you! Both emails and phone calls remain your best options. Not sure who your state representatives are?  Find out through this link.  https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

4.  VCDL Lobby Day is January 18th.  An important update is that the City of Richmond has passed legislation prohibiting the possession of firearms in or adjacent to any event requiring a City Permit.    The immediate impact seems to be a ban on firearms possession at VCDL Lobby Day.  Stand by for updates a available.

Thanks from Your Friendly Neighborhood FRGC Legislative Affairs Committee.