Hello, I am a 28 year old Virginia resident, born and raised in Alexandria VA. I have supported the Democrat party in every single state and federal ballot since I became eligible in 2015. I have never owned any firearm before. I feel the need to speak up about the proposed legislation in HB217, HB1524, SB727, and SB749 only after meticulous research and consideration. I very strongly oppose these bills, primarily SB749, and urge my representatives to reconsider their support and wording in this bill. Many of us in NoVA carry out jobs and responsibilities that require us to follow every single rule to a T, because even the risk of accidental arrest can lead to us losing our jobs and our entire livelihoods. Because of the way this bill will effectively ‘grandfather’ 90% of all weapons and magazines in our state, I see no way this can be enforced without many accidental arrests. This will disproportionately affect communities where the risk of breaking the law will destroy citizen’s lives. I have read these bills over and over again, and even asked experts for help, but the fact of the matter is that many definitions are so poor or broad that it is unclear what will be allowed after this passes. Am I allowed to purchase a lower receiver of a weapon that *could* meet these definitions of an ‘assault weapon’? For weapons that are owned before July 1st, are they allowed to swap ‘assault’ parts? What if a part or magazine purchased before July 1st breaks and needs to be fixed? What about magazines that can accept different amounts of different sizes of ammunition, as many commonly do? Again, I have never owned a gun, but it seems like these were written and are being amended by people who have never even inspected one. Why are the definitions of ‘assault firearm’ different across all these bills? Are law abiding citizens supposed to remember all of these different definitions when one plastic piece in the wrong spot could make us go from perfectly legal to in jail for a year? “...that permits the shooter to hold the pistol with the non-trigger hand without being burned” What am I reading here? If someone burns their hand on the gun then it’s okay? Why do we want guns to need to be held awkwardly? Is this supposed to make people safer somehow? Could anyone tell me what is dangerous about the ‘threaded barrel’ that almost every single modern firearm would have? Are you perhaps under the false impression that a ‘sound suppressor’ makes a gunshot difficult to hear? Do you want my eardrums to be permanently damaged at a range? They don’t make the weapon any more or less lethal, or even affect the rate at which you can fire… so why exactly are they being made illegal? Shouldn’t there be some kind of legal avenue for law abiding citizens in good standing to be able to purchase one of these 'assault' weapons, provided they store it safely? Bans with a grandfathering clause just encourage everyone to panic buy and stockpile. I guess only rich people who can buy everything they could ever need before July 1st are allowed to have good guns, right? The bottom line is that there is no such thing as an ‘assault firearm’, and that attempting any sort of ‘feature’ ban is ridiculous. I am so disappointed with myself for voting for the people responsible for this bill. If this passes, I will not make the same mistake again. Not for your redistricting effort, or anything after that either.

Hello, lifelong Virginian, father, veteran, and law abiding citizen who will face jailtime over these items despite hopefully not being the target (yet). SB496 - I oppose this. this item will result in victims of theft electing to let a crime against their property to go unreported, which in turn will result in more unknown weapons on the streets, as well as reducing the chance that the actual criminal is apprehended. SB727/SB749 - I oppose these items. These items target the most commonly used firearms for sporting and security purposes by Virginians. In particular, Virginia has suffered close to NO criminal homicides with standard capacity centerfire rifles in 2025. The features listed also provided no advantage to these few offenders. This is a fairly transparent attempt by its supporters to reduce the access to Virginian's 2nd amendment rights by way of creating new criminal charges via a convoluted system based upon what it's writers find the most cosmetically offensive.

I oppose SB496, SB727 and SB749

I'm a registered Democratic voter and even I oppose SB496, SB727, SB749. If these pass I will be switching my party affiliation and voting against redistricting. The AWB, SB749, is clearly a violation of the 2nd amendment. Standard capacity for regular full size pistols is 17, this would criminalize or make it impossible to access basic home defense weapons like Glock 17s, Springfield Eschelons, M&Ps, etc. And, this is going to trigger lawsuit after lawsuit until every state level AWB is overturned across the nation. Now isn't the time to poke that bear. Speaking of bears, I am worried that SB727 would prevent co-owners of our tree farm from carrying their rifles or pistols for bear and coyote defense, and possibly affect currently legal rifles used for deer population control efforts - these are typically semi auto as quick follow up shots are useful in all these scenarios. This directly affects Farmers and could lead to more motor vehicle accidents with deer due to unchecked deer population in some areas. And SB496 would catch many farmers unaware - becoming criminals overnight due to their "truck gun" or tractor gun getting them in trouble. Tools like a handy AR Pistol with a barrel length between 10.5" and 14.5" are preferred for protecting livestock from predators as they are compact and reliable. And, we're not really seeing much out-of-vehicle theft happening in these rural areas. Again, these bills are overreach, don't do it guys. Virginia is different from California or New Jersey, just look at our flag. You will make a lot of new, motivated Republicans if these pass, including me.

As a resident of Lake Monticello, I am writing to strongly urge you to oppose Senate Bills 496, 727, and 749. My primary responsibility in life is the safety and well-being of my family, especially with my newborn daughter, Sophia, at home. These bills collectively undermine my ability to protect my loved ones while placing unnecessary, unconstitutional burdens on law-abiding Virginians. Senate Bill 496's vehicle storage mandates are entirely impractical for everyday life. Forcing gun owners to use specialized, hard-sided containers that must be bolted or cabled to a vehicle's frame makes it nearly impossible to quickly access a firearm in a self-defense emergency. Furthermore, threatening a victim of a vehicle break-in with a misdemeanor simply because a criminal managed to bypass a lock is a deeply misguided approach to public safety. Similarly, Senate Bill 727 effectively creates sprawling gun-free zones out of our public streets, sidewalks, and parks. By restricting the lawful public carry of firearms in these shared spaces, the state is leaving responsible citizens defenseless against violent offenders who will simply ignore the law. Finally, I strongly oppose Senate Bill 749's ban on commonly owned firearms and standard-capacity magazines. Prohibiting the future sale of these items and arbitrarily restricting magazine capacities amounts to a direct infringement on our Second Amendment rights and ignores the fact that these items are in common use for lawful self-defense. Rather than stripping away the rights and property of responsible citizens who are just trying to keep their families safe, I ask that you focus on measures that hold actual criminals accountable.

I oppose SB496, SB727 and SB749. They are contrary to our constitution as well as our 2nd amendment. SB496 requiring securing a hand gun in a vehicle would not be necessary if there were so many limitations as to where even with the proper permit you are not allowed to carry. If the vehicle is locked then the hand gun is secure. SB727 is unconstitutional. Finally SB749 is unconstitutional as expressed by the Supreme Court

I strongly oppose HB40, HB217, HB1524, SB323, SB496, SB727, SB749. History shows the enforcement of gun control disproportionately targets minorities and marginalized populations, and adding these additional restrictions to our constitutional right will do nothing to address the socioeconomic conditions that contribute to the antisocial and violent behavior. Instead of further criminalizing the means of accessible and modern/innovative forms of self-defense, gun violence should be addressed by focusing on the root of the socioeconomic issues such as funding universal healthcare and mental healthcare access, funding accessible education for all Virginians, and focusing on rehabilitation for offenders rather than only punishment.

I oppose SB496. SB727, and SB749.

I oppose SB496, SB727, and SB749. These laws will not make our Commonwealth of Virginia safer. They will impose more restrictions that will turn citizens into criminals while doing nothing to address gun violence.

I oppose SB496, SB727 and SB749.

I oppose SB727 and SB749. These bills are a broad feature-based ban that will be easy for criminals to get around with “compliant” alternatives and common parts. It makes many ordinary rifles, pistols, shotguns, and standard magazines that lawful Virginians are choosing for self defense illegal. This issue is also up at the Supreme Court of the United States right now so it will be unwise and legally costly to pass now. All this bill is going to do is lead to panic buying and when the bill is ultimately ruled unconstitutional the only lasting legacy of this policy will be the panic proliferation. I will preemptively congratulate you on winning employee of the year at every gun store in Virginia based on the deluge of sales you will create by rubberstamping this dead law walking. I attached a PDF that shows how criminals can just get around these laws by buying a rifle that looks like its from Dr. Seuss but has the same capabilities.

The people have a right to carry arms in common usage outside of their home. This idea has been upheld by the Supreme Court. If that means that such firearms are so called "assault firearms" then that's the way it is. It makes no sense to only allow people to carry a pea shooter when you have psychos with these "assault firearms" murdering people in public open spaces. The only way to end such threats is to take them out with an "assault firearm."

These bills are blatantly unconstitutional.

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent of Senate District 13 to express my firm opposition to the package of firearm-related legislation currently moving through the General Assembly. These proposed laws represent a significant departure from our constitutional traditions and, in my view, constitute an impermissible infringement upon the fundamental rights of Virginians. As you cast your votes on these bills, I would like to respectfully remind you of the oath you took upon assuming your office: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me as a Senator... according to the best of my ability, so help me God." This oath is not a mere formality; it is a binding promise to protect the framework of liberty that governs our society. Central to that framework is Article I, Section 13 of the Constitution of Virginia, which explicitly states: "That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state, therefore, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power." Furthermore, the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes it clear that the right to keep and bear arms is an individual right that "shall not be infringed." Through the Fourteenth Amendment, this protection is applied to the states, ensuring that: "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..." The legal landscape regarding these rights has been further clarified by the United States Supreme Court in NYSRPA v. Bruen. The Court’s decision established that the government must demonstrate that any firearm regulation is consistent with this Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. Crucially, the Court has long held that firearms "in common use" for lawful purposes are protected. The AR-15, as the most popular rifle in America, is undeniably in "common use" by millions of law-abiding citizens for self-defense, competition, and hunting. To vote for a ban on such a platform would be a direct violation of the standard set by the highest court in the land. Beyond these legal mandates, I urge you to consider the practical impact on your constituents in Petersburg. These measures do not target criminal intent; instead, they criminalize peaceable citizens for possessing hardware legally acquired and used safely every day. If the goal is to address gun-related violence, I recommend a return to the proven success of Project Exile. In the first year of its implementation in Richmond, homicides dropped by 33% and armed robberies dropped by 30%, according to the Department of Justice. As a legislator, you have the power to prioritize the certainty of prosecution over the administrative restriction of hardware. I urge you to honor your oath and the constitutional protections of all Virginians by voting against these overreaching measures and focusing instead on holding criminals accountable. Sincerely, John G Chaney

I stand with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills.

Every one of you have taken an oath to defend the constitution of the United States of America. You also took an oath to uphold the constitution of Virginia. By passing these bills, you have broken your oath. The people of the great state of Virginia will remember this.

I support this bill because although Virginia is No. 15 nationally in gun violence prevention laws, the commonwealth could do more to restrict dangerous weapons and regulate public carry.

At one time minorities could not acquire firearms.. for self defense..Now working class citizens of all races are losing rights ..Discrimination in years past and discrimination now are the same.. The legislation created by the authors causes financial hardship,harm to the citizens .This is affecting your constituents who placed you into office..Do any of you have the fortitude to vote for pro gun bills and against anti gun bills..? That is your challenge..