A Democrat-controlled committee of the Virginia state senate on Monday approved a host of anti-gun bills along party lines, including a prohibition on common semi-auto firearms and their magazines.
The Virginia Senate Committee for Courts of Justice advanced nearly a dozen measures that could spell trouble for the Second Amendment and gun owners in the Commonwealth. Almost all passed in a 9-5 vote, in line with the senators' party affiliation.
Worst among these is SB749, which bans the importation, sale, and possession of "assault firearms" and most standard capacity magazines.
"Gun owners beware! If you possess a magazine that holds 10 rounds or more, you immediately become a Criminal under Democrat bill SB 749," noted the Senate GOP caucus.
Other measures approved include:
SB78 - Eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for firearms-related offenses.
SB79 - Bans the carrying of firearms into buildings owned or leased by the Commonwealth, with the exception of rest areas.
SB115 - Orders the review of reciprocal concealed handgun permits with other states.
SB173 - Creates a "gun-free zone" over hospitals that provide mental health or developmental services.
SB272 - Removes exemptions for carrying firearms in public institutions of higher education.
SB312 - Bans the carrying of "assault firearms" in public areas.
SB323 - Bans "plastic firearms or receivers."
SB348 - A mandatory gun lock law for residences where a minor or a person prohibited from possessing is present
SB496 - Mandates the secure storage of handguns in vehicles
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SB727 - Bans the carrying of loaded firearms of any sort in a list of public areas under threat of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
"Really? Democrats literally introduced a bill eliminating mandatory minimums for individuals who commit gun crimes," says the VA Senate GOP. "Meanwhile, they are targeting responsible, law-abiding gun owners with mountains of red tape and licensing requirements. These attacks on the Second Amendment haven’t worked in any other states, and they won’t work here."
The measures have to pass the Senate as a whole, as well as the House of Delegates, before they can be considered by Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger. Dems have control of both chambers of the state legislature.
A controversial House bill, HB 207, which aims to add a $500 state tax on suppressors and silencers, does not seem to have a Senate companion at the time.
