Over the past several weeks, House Democrats have advanced numerous pieces of legislation that will directly impact lawful firearm owners’ abilities to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Some of these bills have failed, while others are continuing through the legislative process and may very well reach Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk. These bills range from increased taxation on firearms and ammunition, to the outright banning of certain popular firearms models. While none of the bills seek to address the root cause of why gun violence occurs, they would drastically affect the way that lawful purchasers are able to exercise their rights.
One of the most extensive of these bills is HB 217, which would ban the future sale and transfer of so-called “assault firearms” or “high-capacity magazines.” Many of you reading this right now have at one point purchased one of these firearms for home defense, hunting or just plain target practice, and understand that they are functionally no different from any other type of semi-automatic firearm. Nothing makes them inherently more dangerous than any other semi-automatic rifle with a removable magazine. But that has not stopped General Assembly Democrats from advancing legislation that would make you a criminal for transferring such a firearm to a family member; or removing your ability to purchase one altogether.
Also, SB 496 would require that any handgun left in an unattended vehicle be stored in a locked container. This means that any time you go to the grocery store, you would have to remove your firearm from your center console and place it in some other lockable storage device (even if your vehicle is already locked in the first place). Aside from questions on how this would be enforced, it could create a new class of criminals out of people that were otherwise victims of burglary themselves.
Additionally, SB 27 would hold firearms dealers and manufacturers civilly liable if a firearm is used illegally. Firearms dealers must already process background checks for those wishing to buy guns, and it is already illegal for them to sell firearms to someone otherwise ineligible to purchase one. Holding dealers or manufacturers liable for the actions of criminals would be like holding a local auto dealer – or Ford – liable for a customer who causes a car crash while under the influence of alcohol. It makes no sense and is intended to mire the firearms industry in endless lawsuits.
If that was not enough, SB 763 would have created a new 11% excise tax on all firearms or ammunitions manufacturers who would then pass this cost along to you, the consumer. Far from aligning with the Democrat promise of “affordability,” this bill would have punished law abiding gun owners with arbitrarily higher costs. Fortunately, this punitive measure was carried over to next year in the House Committee on Finance, but I am confident that Democrats will revive this effort again.
As expected, Democrats entered this year with legislation intent on making firearm ownership harder, more expensive, and in some cases completely removing a class of firearm you can purchase. They say these attempts are being made in the name of “safety,” but in reality, they only punish those who are law-abiding and do nothing to prevent or deter individuals from committing crimes.
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
