I am against these proposed bills to impededany sort of restriction on the carry of firearms, banning any sort of accessory, type or feature of a firearm, or any law that adds additional penalties, burdens, fees, or taxes on firearms. The punishment the law abiding citizen with burdensome laws and infringe upon their constitutional rights. The 2nd ammendment is very clear in "shall not be infringed," yet these bills infringe on the freedom of people to bear arms. The propososers of these bills know they're illegal bills and are not constitutional. Virginia has long been a beacon of freedom, and was instrumental in in the American Revolution to secure that freedom. It is disguisting seeing its politicians try to forcibly take that freedom away from its people. I am opposed to these bills and urge the legislature to throw them out, with prejudice.

As a pediatrician I have long been appalled that firearms are the number one cause of death of our children- and having lived thru both mass shootings in Pittsburgh and Buffalo, I immersed myself in the data to understand the problem- we know FIrearm licensing , and concealed carry licensing that incorporates safe storage training saves lives. We know that the access to assault weapons so easily , especially in people with prior threats or concerning obsessions is a reason for most of our mass shootings in America. We know that in domestic violence access to firearms , even in dating relationships , is why women continue to die even with protective orders in place. As a physician I strongly feel concealed carry , especially assault weapons has no place in hospitals , colleges , schools and public buildings. In Virginia we can have laws that really protect people without infringing on the right of sane citizens to own guns. Brief waiting periods, safe storage education for all gun owners, safe storage requirements for all gun owners and a strong emergency protective order system will save many lives and I urge you to support them.

To the committee, I am a Democrat writing in opposition to HB217. Specifically section 18.02.308.09 on disqualifications for a concealed handgun permit as it has the potentially to adversely affect me. 10 years ago I went through a mental health crisis and ended up having my firearm rights rescinded. Two years ago, I went through the legal process of having my firearm rights restored. It was an arduous, exhaustive, and personally embarrassing process as I was treated in such a manner by the court as if I was a criminal despite having committed no crime. I find the current proposal by the state as an affront to my rights which I fought to have restored. This new law will make me have to wait an additional 3 years to apply for a concealed permit despite already going through the legal process to nullify any legal objection from me being able to attain such permit. While I am not eager to own a handgun for the sole purpose of concealing it; this permit would help me as a safeguard from protecting me from prosecution should I possess a handgun and not have it fully concealed while in transport to a gun range, gun smith, or from one property to another if I were stopped by law enforcement. This law will also further scrutinize in the section 18.02-308.2.2 despite the fact that I have gone through the legal process and been adjudicated by a judge already to be able to possess a firearm. The fact also that the committee has tapered down the ammunition quantity from 20 rounds to 10 rounds demonstrates to me the total lack and understanding by this committee to understand fire arms and seems purely a punitive measure towards individuals who already legally own firearms.

U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It states: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed". These are a slap to the face of law abiding gun owners of the state of Virginia. I'm atonished at the blatan ignorance of a firearm and my rights, who voted for these idiots?