When anti-gun Democrat Abigail Spanberger was elected Virginia’s new governor back in November, it was a victory that many believed would embolden gun-ban advocates in the state legislature. Judging from a new measure now under consideration by lawmakers, “embolden” might have been too mild a word.
House Bill 217 is a sweeping gun and magazine ban with a few other restrictions thrown in for good measure. According to a state alert to Virginia members distributed by Gun Owners of America (GOA), the measure is a “damaging” one.
“As the Virginia Legislature’s starting date rapidly approaches, anti-gunners are already preparing to axe your gun rights by firing off new bills during the bill pre-filing period,” GOA wrote in the alert. “HB 217 is especially damaging, and it aims to do a sweeping number of infringements on your rights if passed.”
According to GOA, the measure would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, purchase and transfer of a wide range of commonly owned semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns by classifying them as “assault firearms” based on features such as pistol grips, threaded barrels, folding or adjustable stocks, muzzle devices or the ability to accept detachable magazines. Additionally, it specifically targets semi-automatic pistols and shotguns commonly used for lawful purposes, including pistols with threaded barrels and semi-automatic shotguns with detachable magazines or fixed magazine capacities exceeding seven rounds.
Other provisions in the bill would ban the sale and transfer of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds if manufactured on or after July 1, 2026, outlawing standard-capacity magazines that are factory-issued with many popular firearms, along with making the importation, sale, manufacture, purchase or transfer of a prohibited firearm a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
The bill would even criminalize possession, purchase or transport of a so-called “assault firearm” by anyone under the age of 21, even if the firearm was lawfully owned and manufactured before the ban date.
“In addition, HB207 could obliterate the gains we made on the federal level by convincing Congress to lower the National Firearms Act tax on suppressors from $200 to $0, thanks to your persistence and advocacy,” GOA wrote. “HB207 hopes to impose a new $500 Virginia tax on suppressors, in addition to the existing federal tax and registration requirements.”
To battle the measure, GOA asked members to do two things in the immediate future. First, use the form provided in the state alert to inform their state delegates that they oppose HB 217, HB 207, SB 28, and SB 38.
The second request is to join the Virginia Citizens Defense League Lobby Day at the state capital on January 19. VCDL’s lobby day is an opportunity for gun owners’ message to be heard and amplified, and a massive attendance of gun owners there can make a serious impact on how these bills move forward.
Ultimately, Republicans losing the governorship in Virginia has created a situation where gun-ban legislation will be pushed harder than ever before. It’s up to gun owners to make their voices heard and fight to kill these restrictive measures.
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