Opinion
Richmond, VA –-(Ammoland.com)- The first flood of Virginia Democrat’s anti-gun bills will hit the Virginia Legislature on Monday, January 13th, 2020.
Ever since taking control of the Virginia Government, anti-gun Democrats have been eager to pass new gun control laws that only affect you. On Friday night, the legislature announced that the first ten anti-gun bills would hit the Senate Judiciary Monday at 9 AM.
Democrats have introduced three universal background check bills, with only a few key differences between them.
John Edwards of the 21st district introduced SB 543. He claims that the bill closes the “gun show loophole.” The bill would require all sellers to complete a background check on the buyer at gun shows. The law would apply to private sales of firearms. Currently, background checks for private sellers are optional.
Dick Saslaw of the 35th district introduced SB 12, another universal background check bill that would apply to all transfers in the Commonwealth. This bill makes anyone who sells their gun to say a friend and does not run a background check guilty of a Class one misdemeanor if convicted. There are some exceptions, notably the transfer of a firearm between family members.
L. Louise Lucas introduced SB 70, which is almost identical to SB 12. The key difference between the two bills is that SB 70 would make the seller of the firearm guilty of a Class six felony. The person who buys the gun would be guilty of a Class one misdemeanor.
Saslaw (SB 22) and Senator Mamie Locke (SB 69) of the Second district introduced nearly identical bills to return Virginia to the previously failed “one handgun a month” state. The laws would prohibit the purchase of more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Anyone who purchases more than one handgun in 30 days would be guilty of a Class one misdemeanor. There are exceptions for concealed handgun permit holders.
Senator Edward has also introduced two bills that would undermine the state’s current firearms preemption laws by allowing localities to enact a patchwork of bans on firearms from their meetings, buildings, and parks.
- SB 450 would allow a locality to put in place an ordinance that would ban firearms and ammunition from any regular or special meeting of its local governing body. This law would apply to county Board of Supervisors meetings and City Council meetings.
- SB 505 would allow a locality to put in place an ordinance that would prevent a law-abiding citizen from carrying a firearm in that locality’s buildings. The locality would have to post a notice that guns are banned. This bill is an extension of the powers given to localities as laid out in SB 450.
Senator Creigh Deeds of the 25th district introduced SB 615, which is very similar to SB 505. The difference is that SB 615 allows localities to ban guns from their parks as well as their buildings. The same rules would apply to both of the ordinances.
Senator George Barker of the 39th district introduced SB 240. The bill is a known deadly “Red Flag” or Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO). The law allows police to confiscate gun owner’s firearms without due process. The bill also makes it a Class 4 felony to transfer the guns back to the person who is the target of the ERPO without court approval. We have already seen these laws kill more gun owners that they claim to save.
Senator Scott Surovell introduced SB 35. The bill would allow localities to pass ordinances that would ban firearms and ammunition at permitted events. The law would allow cities and counties to ban guns at rallies, parades, and marches making Virginians defenseless sitting ducks for mass shooters.
All or none of these bills could pass. Lobbying will be key to which side of the gun debate will be victorious.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. He is the former CEO of Veritas Firearms, LLC ,and is the co-host of The Patriot-News Podcast ,which can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/patriotnews. John has written extensively on the patriot movement including 3%’ers, Oath Keepers, and Militias. In addition to the Patriot movement, John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and is currently working on a book on leftist deplatforming methods and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, on Facebook at realjohncrump, or at www.crumpy.com.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they… Read more »
IF they pass NEW ROPES are in order IMO. After 20+ yrs of this crap I am tired of voting and giving $$, and seeing our rights shrink.Compromise as brought us nothing but more talk and less rights. It’s time we ALL take a stand no matter what state we are in, WE cannot talk or compromise with MARXISTS. 80% of Dems are Commies in sheep’s clothes. I suggest contacting your Reps in your state that cover your area and tell them to GET AHEAD of this because it will be coming sooner than later. Get ahead of the MARXIST… Read more »
Nothing in the Constitution authorizes any level of government to disarm the people. They used legislative gymnastics to apply the commerce clause and inter-state trade to make the NFA stick, as a tax.
The founders expressly listed and limited the powers granted to the federal level and the state level, and reserved all other power to the people. State and national government are now assuming power and authority they simply do not have, and we the people will withdraw consent to be governed if they do not cease and desist.
The Second Amendment is the only Amendment with the command and order ..”shall not be infringed.” In a Republic, the PEOPLE are the ultimate power and authority. The American PEOPLE have the Constitutional Right & Duty to control government by force of arms, if necessary. BUT, far too many Americans are content to claim they are ‘tough guys’ and ‘patriots’, all the while kneeling and licking the hand of the tyrant as they obey anti-Constitutional ‘gun control laws’. It is nice to think Americans will rise and stop these communist democrats. BUT, they sat quietly as a church in Waco,… Read more »
Most Americans do not realize the 2nd Amendment doesn’t give them the right to KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.
It was put in to let the Feds know the STOPPING point of their powers over us.
The RTKABA’s is a GOD GIVEN NATURAL RIGHT, and we have had it since GOD it the first humans on this earth.
With Federal laws and penalties in place, one can only ponder the reason behind non-action against those that seek to undermine our Constitutional form of government.The Constitutional duty of elected servants is to stay within the rules described in the Republics Constitution. Nothing more. Serve not Rule..
@Stripe, I think that parties use government as a mechanism to bring wealth and power to themselves. Using those laws and penalties would adversely effect the deep state agenda.
There is going to be action against them.The Feds cannot get involved in a states rights issue YET.
If these bills pass,then the usual method of getting rid of them is through the courts.
Problem is, these Bills are so onerous that NO Virginian, pro 2A folks are going to allow them to make them follow UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAWS.
Especially for the 2 years it would take to get through the courts.
The limp notion that big city politicians now may have their way with flyover people has ended. The people who earn their keep, protect their families, obey the laws, defend the nation and pay their taxes now will have their way with the politicians. They’re saying no more — en mass.
Unless they say it at the ballot box, then it’s just so much more theater. 124 million American gun owners can win a lot of elections including the Whitehouse and turning over the House. However, 50 million (our usual conservative turnout of 40%), will not win.
The legislators who won seats now feel that they have a mandate to enact gun control. Until the gun rights supporters turn out en masse at the polls they will continue to be ignored or dismissed as ‘crazies’ as was demonstrated by two legislators on an open mic.
SIX seats is hardly a mandate, but look what it’s caused,and I fear a lot of bodies will be following.
Sadly most gun owners do not vote because they do not want to be put on county JURY ROLLS.
Red FLAG ‘laws’ give cover to police to kill gun owners. It is no more complicated than that. 1. The gun owner is claimed to be insane. 2. The gun owner has ‘deadly’ and ‘evil’ guns (Always a ‘stockpile’, never a collection, even if he only has one gun). 3. The police are going there to TAKE the guns of an American citizen WITHOUT lawful adjudication. 4. Murdering the gun owner would be considered protecting the lives of the police officers. ANYWHERE a Red Flag law is enacted, we have seen the gun owners murdered. THAT is why the Red… Read more »
Some states’ red flag laws are civil issues, so police cannot forcibly search and confiscate, but only ASK for the firearms. The owner is free to say no. In Colorado, one Sheriff uses this policy, and he reports back to the judge, “sorry, they refused to surrender their lawfully purchased property”. Then the judge has to gather more evidence to order a warrant.
That’s the way to do it, but EVERY AMERICAN should have the right to know WHY they were accused and for what reason and WHO accused them.This way a lot of this could be nipped in the bud quickly.
You do have a point, and they’re usually holed up in a “compound”. The media is very astute at word games.
Socialist Democrats and the modern mainstream media both study and master Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals, and 8 steps to creation of a socialist state…and they both have the resources to employ them all.
Astute?, I call them flat out LIARS, no one can be that stupid.
Trying to ban nationwide AR clones, and AK Clones is a prime example,they are the least used firearms in EVERY category for homicides.approx 0.5%of 1%.
In reality there are only approx 2800 Homicides a year, the rest are suicides/gang/drug related.Knives are used 4x’s more in homicides that ALL LONG GUNS. Fists and feet 2x’s.
Hammers kill more people than rifles and shotguns.
2000 less homicides in ’18 than ’17.
2018 LATEST FBI STATS.
@Street, Yep, a dog smelling a pile of shit can get more real information than a person can by watching the MSM.
I wonder, tete, if once the police get known for shooting before confiscating, will their targets start making confiscation more dangerous for them. Pounding on the door a 4am sounds like a home invasion to me. Empty that first AR magazine through the door, then reload and change your location. After all, you know your house, and the invaders don’t.
Bb46, You do know that there is technology that allows the police to see through the walls of a structure, right? It’s in common use and will be used frequently after the 1st “shoot 1st” scenario goes down. Not that I’m discounting the idea of armed resistance. Remember my how-to on setting up a covert comm a little while back. I’m just saying that they’ll not only know your house, but where you and your supplies are in it.
@DiF – They don’t actually “see” through walls. Can use infrared to get some imagery – but through walls that is vague at best. X-rays will go through walls, but they’d have to set up on both sides of the house and send beam of radiation all the way through the house. Occupants, neighbors and cops would all be exposed to far more radiation than one gets from a dental x-ray. Good luck interpreting that image – pipes, masonry, appliances, etc would make for messy image. Think of the effort oncologists go through to simply spot cancer in an image… Read more »
Finnky, You’re right, I was sloppy in my wording. Thermal imaging, however is what I was referring to and it seems to work fairly well. On a tangentially related matter, burying things doesn’t work due to GPR, another advance in technology. It has the drawback of not being immediately available.
You are right that thermal imaging “seems to work fairly well” — on TV and in movies. Otherwise the truth is that thermal imaging CANNOT see through walls, in fact thermal imaging cannot even see through glass windows! A pure thermal imaging system shows the image of the glass, not whatever might be behind it. Some advanced systems mix thermal and visual imagery to present an image that is more understandable, but no passive imaging system can see through walls. There are systems that can somewhat see through walls, but those are active systems like millimeter-wave radar — none of… Read more »
XL, I’ll take your word for it, I only know what I’ve been told. Thanks, Greg K.
OV, VA is south of the Mason-Dixon, but most of the time it isn’t quite as warm and steamy. I think there’d be more temp difference with the surroundings. WAG
@DiF, Technology that allows the police to see through walls of a structure? Do you mean windows? I am up clicking you for the the best humor of the day!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range-R
WB, Thanks, I’m doing my Blind Squirrel impression today.
What if it’s a neighbor or someone with car trouble?,Low profiles no threats, and DO NOT advertise what you have, and try to be at peace with everyone(even if they are the Devils ow).
Don’t give anyone a reason to FLAG you.
Right back to living like sheep and being denied freedom of speech and assembly ! Being timid has done nothing but get our rights stripped from all of us! Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead !!
@tete, Not quite anywhere. Police only have jurisdiction in the cities. Outside the city, the locally elected county sheriff is the law. Just one more reason to flee the cities.
Restore the Republic.
Red Flag Laws are SO BAD, they violate almost every Right and Amendment we have, no DUE PROCESS, no right to face the accuser(or even know who it is), no trials, THEY JUST make a compliant and YOUR arse is getting a visit. If you have a few weapons I suggest caching them now with you best friends, and or, hide them yourself. ALL EGGS in one basket is a disaster waiting to happen. The next thing on the list is Citizens rights to own Body Armor.Strongly suggest buying some now,its the east expensive now as I ave ever seen… Read more »
@DZ – What’s with the age differential? I’d think older individuals likely to have more disposable income – and less ability to carry weight of steel, thus more likely to need the more expensive and lighter ceramic armors? Opinions on poly armor?
Know next to nothing, not even appropriate sizing… Would like to know enough to be able to be in the market when/if disposable income becomes available.
TY.
Finnky, You have mail. There is too much info to discuss in the comments section.
The numbers appear to be there among the 2nd Amendment Sanctuary supporters to initiate recall elections for the state elected officials.
The problem is not the democrats – they’re just doing what democrats do. You/we have the mechanism in place (and it’s been there all along) to protect our 2A right – it’s called “vote”.
Address the root of the problem – laziness and apathy amongst voting-eligible gun owners. Until we do that, we’re 100% reactionary – and we’ll lose.
It is my understanding that Virginia does not have electoral college. @ Buster, do you understand what electoral college is?
There is only one Electoral College and it doesn’t get involved in state races.
@ BigJim Yes, I understand. It’s used once every four years to elect a President and vice-President. All other elections (the elections that matter most to 2A supporters) are where we’re getting our asses handed to us.
We need to spend more time and money on our youth shooting sports programs. Ultimately, we’ll spend less time and money reacting to Democrats.
Voting was not the issue, it’s the same in VA as it is in Cali and NYC, etc,etc. The Bulk of the voters all live(as well as the majority of the Population) all live in the WELFARE centers (i.e) big Cities. The bulk of the votes come from the Freebie takers, and then Bloomberg throwing his millions into the races to take over the state HIS money caused this. It got them a criminal Gov, and one Senate seat majority and a five sea majority on the House.(all races paid for by Bloomberg(the short little Yankee that wants to remake… Read more »
Then he will double down hoping to buy victory for himself and his globalist friends.
you got numbers t back that up? Few “freebie takers” bother to get out and vote. If EVERYONE who is now all knicker-be-knotted over our right to arms had VOTED in the last five elections we’d not have thie page on Ammoland. In my state, one of the nastiest antigun bills was on the ballot as a citizens initiative. It got 62% of the VOTES CAST. Very low voter turnout, and we are an all mail ballot state. ONe state I came across was that ONLY 23% of gun owners voted. We have some 600K Mother May I Card holders,… Read more »
Or Bloomberg is Taken out of the Equation! He uses His money to Impose His will on Anyone or Group that Disagrees with Him or His Warped Sick Elitist Values.
Short stuff Blooming idiot first shot fired.
In a way you’re right, but read the Second Amendment. it states in part “shall not be infringed”. It does not say except for these people or those people or anything that would allow ANYONE to infringe upon it. We the people need to keep our protection “guns, knives, etc.”.
I FOR ONE WILL NEVER GIVE UP MY PROTECTION WILLINGLY, I WILL PROTECT THAT GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO MY DEATH.
There were over 300 homicides in Virginia in 2018. Only eight homicides were committed with a rifle of any type; while 15 were homicides by way of hands and feet, and 30 homicides were with a knife. This data comes directly from the FBI. As a result, Democrats propose laws banning a very specific type of rifle, focusing on the smallest problem of all! Are Democrats also pushing a ban on kitchen knives, butcher knives and cleavers? If not, why not? Almost 4 times as many citizens were murdered with knives! Are those victims less important? And we must obviously… Read more »
This is all about disarming the American people.
The communist democrats DEMAND a communist America. They will NOT ALLOW their slaves to own guns.
You are trying to think it through, using common sense. It is about disarming the American people, by any means, and nothing more.
Of course it is about one party rule and disarming Americans, can you say “sarcasm”?
1515 Homicides with knives in 2018.
Virginians need to go out and fight period. The alternative is to be like California. If that does not scare you than nothing will.
“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” Thomas Jefferson “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” Thomas Jefferson “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Thomas Jefferson Weapon prohibitionists can be broken down into seven major categories. Even though their motives may vary they all pose a mortal threat to liberty. Tell me which one do you qualify under? ELITISTS? AUTHORITARIANS? CRIMINALS? THE FEARFUL? IDEOLOGICAL… Read more »
Same thing is happening in WA. ALL of the bills that were pending last year but never made it to committee are on the slate for this year, plus a raft of new bills. Thing is the new house speaker is an rabid anti-gunner named Laurie Jinkins. Better contact your representatribbles and Senagators.
It’s all about the money, the greed of government wants it’s share of money for background checks.
We have “the best Government money can buy.”
Shouldn’t that be; “the worst government money can buy?” If you can buy it with money, the best will NOT go to the people.
@Vern, I believe that it is a Will Rogers joke.
I was just updating it.
“John Edwards
L. Louise Lucas
Saslaw
Mamie Locke
Creigh Deeds
George Barker**
Scott Surovell
Who debates the taking of your Constitutional Rights?
These people have to go home sometime.
Operation Sun Downer!”
Well, that’s about as overt as you can get, isn’t it? Comments like that are why gun owners as a whole are disparaged and legislated against so heavily. You’re not helping the cause any but you sure are pissing all over it. Do you have any working neurons in that brain of yours? Doubtful.