A look at the 10 gun bills could reshape Virginia

I’m Kerry Picket, White House correspondent at The Washington Times, and I’m breaking down the 10 gun control bills currently on the desk of Virginia Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger waiting for her approval.

Ms. Spanberger is expected to sign each piece of legislation, which will collectively begin transforming into having some of the nation’s strictest gun control laws on the books. 

Most legislation are companion bills from Virginia’s House of Delegates and the State Senate, or standalone bills from one chamber that passed the General Assembly.

1. Senate Bill 749, House Bill 217 bans certain semi-automatic firearms, including many semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns. It also prohibits the sale of magazines exceeding 15 rounds and prohibits possession by legal adults under the age of 21.
2. Senate Bill 727, House Bill 1524 makes it illegal to carry and transport many types of common firearms on public property. This includes semi-automatic rifles and pistols that have a fixed magazine with over 10 rounds, a standard magazine with over 20 rounds, a folding stock, the ability to accept suppressors, or one of many other detailed features.
3. Under House Bill 916, the requirements for Virginia concealed carry permit classes expand the curriculum to include a shooting class, state laws on handguns, and proper handgun storage techniques. The legislation also eliminates the National Rifle Association and U.S. Concealed Carry Association courses as a satisfying guideline.
4. Senate Bill 643, House Bill 1525 bans purchase and possession of certain firearms by legal adults under the age of 21. The new law on possession would apply broadly to anyone under 21, including those who already own such firearms.
5. Senate Bill 496, House Bill 110 requires law-abiding individuals not to keep a firearm in their cars unattended and visible if parked on a public street.
6. Senate Bill 27, House Bill 21 would establish a comprehensive set of standards for “responsible conduct” for members of the firearm industry, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Businesses would have to set up and implement “reasonable controls” over the manufacture, sale, distribution, use and marketing of firearm-related products. It also creates a broad civil cause of action allowing the state attorney general, local prosecutors or individuals to sue firearm businesses seeking injunctions, damages and other costs.
7. Senate Bill 323, House Bill 40 makes building, importing, selling, transferring, or possessing unserialized or plastic firearms a Class V felony. Class V felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
8. Under Senate Bill 115, Virginia’s current concealed carry reciprocity agreements with other states are likely to change. The state’s superintendent of police will determine whether other states’ concealed carry reciprocity agreements are substantially similar to the statutory qualifications for Virginia’s. And those that are deemed not satisfactory, Virginia will stop recognizing their permits as valid. Now, should Virginia not recognize other states’ concealed carry permits, those states likely will not recognize Virginians’ permits.
9. Senate Bill 272, House Bill 626 limits who can carry firearms at a public institution such as Capitol Square or a building of higher learning. It exempts on-duty law enforcement within these buildings.
10. Senate Bill 173, House Bill 229 bans the possession of any weapon in a hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services. This bill also covers emergency departments or other facilities providing emergency medical care. The violation of this prohibition is a class one misdemeanor.

For The Washington Times, I’m Kerry Picket. 

Read more: Ten gun control bills waiting for Spanberger’s signature