Virginia Signs Sweeping Gun Control Legislation Into Law

Virginia Signs Sweeping Gun Control Legislation into Law

Have you heard about the Virginia gun control laws? Today, let's take a deep dive into what these laws state. After all, ignorance is not an excuse!

Virginia Gun Control Laws | What You Should Know About Them

This month in Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam signed multiple gun control measures into law. The laws were proposed in the wake of the mass shooting at Virginia Beach in May 2019 that killed 12 people and injured 4 others.

Governor Northam calls the legislation “common sense laws” that will make communities safer and save lives. Northam has consistently fought for increased gun control measures during his time as governor.

Five bills were signed into law and carry penalties ranging from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony.

SB70/HB2

SB70 is identical to HB2 and makes background checks a requirement for all firearm purchases and transfers.

This includes firearms purchased at shows and those transferred privately between two citizens. Background checks are permitted to take up to three days to complete.

Selling or transferring a firearm without a background check will now be a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

SB240/HB674

This bill creates a procedure that can separate an individual from their firearms for up to 180 days using the terminology, “a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to himself or others.”

An Emergency Substantial Risk Order can be issued in general district court, circuit court, or juvenile and domestic relations district court.

The initial Emergency Substantial Risk Order will last for 14 days, but extensions can be applied for up to 180 days.

During this time, the person who has had their firearms seized by law enforcement cannot purchase, possess, or transport a firearm. They are disqualified from having a concealed handgun permit and cannot be employed by a firearms dealer.

Anyone who supplies a firearm to a person with a warrant or who is the subject of a substantial risk order is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Class 4 felonies in Virginia come with a prison sentence of 2-10 years and a fine of up to $100,000.

This bill also creates a registry to record all prior substantial risk orders issued.

SB69/HB812

SB69 | HB812 | Virginia Signs Sweeping Gun Control Legislation into Law

Purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period is now a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. There are still exceptions; those include:

  • People with an enhanced background check that have been issued a certificate by the Department of State Police
  • Law enforcement agencies and officers
  • Licensed firearms dealers
  • State and local correctional facilities
  • Licensed private security companies
  • Those in possession of a valid VA concealed handgun permit
  • Those whose handgun has been lost or stolen, or someone trading in a handgun
  • Purchases of handguns in private sales, or antique firearms

HB9

HB9 requires reporting of a lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours of discovering it lost or stolen. The report must be made to the Department of State Police, who will then report to the National Crime Information Center.

Failure to report can result in a fine of $250.

HB1083

This law increases the penalty for recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm in the presence of a child under the age of 14 years old. Previously a Class 3 misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $500, the penalty is now increased to a Class 1 misdemeanor.

In 2019, Virginia ranked #31 on Guns and Ammo’s Best States for Gun Owners list. Major legislation was defeated last year prior to the Virginia Beach shooting. Governor Northam immediately ramped up gun control efforts after the shooting on May 31, 2019.

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7 Responses to :
Virginia Signs Sweeping Gun Control Legislation Into Law

  1. willis fath says:

    By constitutional law his laws are void/ bougs! shall not infringe! which he has done multiple times now. Virginiaians should twll this jackass were to get off at! and the police shouldn’t enforce unconstitutional laws either! they took the oath to uphold the constitution when they we’re sworn in to the job.

  2. Linda Nilsson-Apolzer says:

    I’m in Tennessee. I would rather heart about our laws..not another state.

  3. WTPOTUS says:

    Listen chuckle – not everyone voted for this jackass Democrat – nor to have him boot lick Bloomberg to get his $$ – DONT put us all in the same vote – it’s not even your home state 🤨

    1. Robert Seay says:

      The problem is that it is like cancer. Some other blue states are going to try it! If successful, then the Federallies will be ready to take away our protection from them. Instead of voter ID’s, we need voter IQ’s. Dumbasses send these assholes to govern the people that know how to take care of themselves.

  4. Dave says:

    About 99.9% of VA is not supportive of these laws and have openly defied the state. Law enforcement has stood up for the Constitution, rejecting any laws which violate the Constitutional rights of the citizenry.

    1. Tomme-Liam Bradaigh says:

      Well if, as you state, “…99.9% of VA is not supportive of these laws…,” please then explain how these so-called Progressive Democrats ever got elected to pass these so-called “gun safety” laws…???

  5. gil mojica says:

    “What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.” Thomas Jefferson

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