Opponents Call Reciprocity ‘A Gift to the Gun Lobby.’
Last week Virginia Republican lawmakers and Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) reached across the aisle to announce that they have come to an agreement to reverse a recent policy change that revoked concealed-carry reciprocity with 25 other states.
Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced the dramatic change in policy late last December, arguing that the other states’ permitting processes were less restrictive and not valid by Virginia standards. Not only does this new deal restore the previous reciprocity agreement, it further extends it to recognize concealed-carry permits from all issuing states.
In exchange for expanded concealed-carry reciprocity Republican lawmakers extended the reach of the state’s police to enforce existing federal laws that prevent people convicted of violent domestic abuse from buying or owning guns. This is in line with what many gun rights groups have been asking for, further upsetting gun control groups.
“Gov. McAuliffe should reconsider this dangerous gift to the gun lobby,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. The governor and lawmakers have yet to finalize the agreement, and gun-control advocates and Democrat leaders are still trying to block it.
Until the new law is finalized Virginia gun-rights supporters are going to keep the pressure on.
See Also: Denver Science Museum Reverses Course on Concealed Carry
“To many concealed handgun permit-holders, permit reciprocity is a huge deal, especially if they travel out-of-state regularly and want to be able to carry discreetly,” said Philip Van Cleave, president of the The Virginia Citizens Defense League, or VCDL. “For example, there is no solution to carrying in South Carolina if we don’t have an agreement between our two states.”
“Things could still go south as the key bills that make up the deal work their way through the legislature and onto the governor’s desk,” said Van Cleave. “[The] VCDL will be monitoring the deal’s progress, watching for changes that negatively affect gun owners.”
The new law also adds a provision that would put a state trooper at every gun show to conduct voluntary background checks on face-to-face sales. McAuliffe also argued that the trooper would help prevent illegal gun sales simply by being present at the shows.
In an attempt to strike while the iron was hot, Senator Richard H. Black (R) brought a bill to the floor that would eliminate concealed-carry permit requirements altogether, making Virginia a Constitutional-carry state. The bill was defeated after the tie vote was broken by Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam (D).
While the Republicans hold a state Senate majority 21-19, Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr. (R), a moderate, sided with the Democrats on the vote. The vote was otherwise decided on party lines.
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The last time I entered Virginia was on a two-week technical consulting contract in 1995, but I’m still glad that the Virginia legislature stuck to their guns (so to speak) and upheld reciprocity in the matter of a civil right, which is what the Second Amendment guarantees.
I know this comment’s a year and a half late, but Charlottesville is heavy on my mind, and the way in which the media, the Democratic Party, and some very misguided people who shouldn’t be working for or even registered with the Republican part jumped on the chance to somehow blame Donald Trump for a riot started when one group of Americans decided to forcibly interfere with the right of another group to peaceably assemble and speak.
I’m simply grateful that, in resulting fracas, no one misused a firearm. Or even used it in a lawful manner for self-protection. And I hope that the coward who killed an innocent woman by hitting her and others with his van is tried and punished as strictly as Virginia’s laws allow.
WE already have National Reciprocity:
Constitution Article. IV. Section 1:
“Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. ”
Last time I checked a “gun license” is a public record.
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Exercise your right to keep and bear Arms; don’t beg for the privilege to “carry firearms.”
Learn why Gun “licenses” are NOT LAW, and why they are COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS.
Learn why should never “carry,” and why you should refer to your guns as “side arms” or “arms,” but NOT “firearms” or “weapons.”
Never “store” but rather “keep” them in your home… see legal definition of “STORE”
Know your Rights, Assert your Rights, Don’t beg for privileges!
watch –
https://youtu.be/r5kFwdJiCYk
STORE, v. To keep merchandise for safe custody, to be delivered in the same condition as when received, where the safe-keeping is the principal object of deposit, and not the consumption or sale. O’Niel v. Buffalo F. Ins. Co., 3 N.Y. 122. Town of Newberry v. Dorrah, 105 S.C. 28, 89 S.E. 402, 403. (Black’s Law, 4th Ed. page 1589.)
STORAGE. Safekeeping of goods in a warehouse or other depository. Lincoln Say . Bank of Brook- lyn v. Brown, Em.App., 137 F.2d 228, 230, 231. (Black’s Law, 4th Ed. page 1589.)
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Wouldn’t National reciprocity be nice .It should already be but I am a logical ,law abiding, life time gun owner who believes in traditional values ,a small Government and every word of the Constitution so Im a minority in my Country now .Things need to change ,
As a Virginia resident, I’m happy they overturned this! One this overturn is passed, I might have to accelerate my plans to get a concealed carry permit!
So it’s ok for the local police to enforce federal laws regarding guns, but NOT also detain ILLEGAL ALIEN drug smugglers? They fought AZ over this enforcement issue. We are in trouble…. ammo up.
What does that have to do with Virginia and overturning the stupid non-reciprocity agreement?
What are you completely illiterate ,You can’t see the point.You need to read and evaluate better!