Public Comments for 01/22/2026 Public Safety - Firearms
HB106 - Concealed handgun permit; lowers fee for processing an application.
I stand with VCDL.
I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.
No new firearms laws will lower gun violence rates. Begin enforcing the existing laws and stop letting violent offenders off the hook. All of the firearms related bills being presented fly directly in the face of the 2nd amendment. Making guns harder to come by for law abiding citizens does not stop criminals from getting them. They don’t obey the law anyway! If you pass these bills it will be a direct statement that you do not care about the rights of Virginia residents and only seek to disarm all citizens. The second amendment is quite clear, “shall not be infringed”, stop infringing on our rights given to us by our creator God almighty. Please, truly think about what you are voting for. I think you will realize that the majority of Virginians do not want these new gun laws and that they will be ineffective at achieving your intended goals. Whether that be a sincere attempt to lower gun violence or an overt attempt to disarm law abiding American citizens. Thank you for the time you dedicate to serving our great commonwealth and for taking the time to read this comment.
I agree with VCDL on all these bills.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL stance on these bills.
I agree with the VCDL.
I support House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, and 696. The 2nd amendment is a neccessary to prevent any government infringement on our liberties. It is particularly neccessary in the time that we are currently living through. With the current civil unrest throughout the country we should encourage more gun ownership and carrying of firearms. The Virginia Constitution in Article I Section 3 states that "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...". I believe these laws lessen the infringements on the rights that so many Virginians died for. I strong oppose House Bill 702. I oppose the give-back program for two reasons. Firstly, I believe destroying these firearms will lead to the destruction of historical firearms. This has occured in many other states. It would be preferable to have them stored or resold. I also worry about the financial costs that a bill like this would have. The labor costs and cost of destruction could be better allocated in our schools, roads, or VIrginia State Police.
HB101: This allows for modern electronic methods of applying for concealed handgun permits. I strongly support this bill. HB106: The monetary burden for exercising your right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. I strongly support this bill. HB540: I strongly support this bill. HB623: There should always be a clearly defined route for having seized property of any kind returned. I strongly support this bill. HB691: Citizens should not have to choose between exercising their Constitutionally protected rights or enjoying the parks and other public facilities in their area - especially those of us that are parents and choose to bear arms to protect our families. I strongly support this bill. HB692: I strongly support this bill. HB696: Similar to HB691, I should be able to use the rest areas that my taxes help to pay for while peacefully exercising my right to bear arms in self defense. Lawful firearm owners are no danger to the other guests of these rest stops or government run stores. Criminals looking for easy targets will happily violate the law as it stands now to go armed in these areas knowing that their victims are disarmed. I strongly support this bill. HB702: Programs like the one that this bill are mainly used by family members to destroy heirloom firearms that are no longer wanted and in many cases rare or historic firearms are permanently destroyed with no option for museums, historians or collectors to rescue them. I OPPOSE this bill as it is written here and would prefer to see a program where the public is allowed access to purchase any abandoned firearms at fair market value before they are destroyed.
I am in favor of HB101,HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB 696. I am against HB702 and any type of buy back program
HB101, Del. Ballard, this would be helpful and accessible to people with mobility impairments and stalking victims who fear leaving home HB106, Del. Ballard - this would make CHPs more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas. HB540, Del. Hamilton - this will help victims of domestic violence far more HB623, Del. Cherry, - return of confiscated weapons should be automatic, but since it is not, this is the next best thing HB691, Del. Zehr, - courts have already ruled that laws restricting firearms in these areas are unconstitutional HB692, Del. Zehr, - this will help those whose budgets are already tight and is consistent with the reduction in charges based on court rulings that UBCs are unconstitutional for 18-21 year olds. HB696, Del. Zehr - stalkers only need to follow us into places where we cannot carry to complete their crimes. Let's reduce the availability of defense free zones HB702, Del. Cole, J., - this is an expensive program that lacks justification. There are services to dispose of unwanted firearms already, we don't need more government to achieve this.
The right to bear arms is exactly that - a right. It is not a privilege. The government does not and cannot charge you to vote even though there are costs associated. This is no different. While we are all aware that this is a country with a distinct privileged class, it is supposed to be a country in which we all have the same rights. If you have to buy your rights, they are being infringed upon. Reducing fees is a step in the right direction. Support HB106 to support economic equality.
I support VCDL’s position on this legislation.
Concealed handgun permits should be affordable for people who need them. Some localities are charging more than it costs them to process the permits, which is contrary to the law. HB106 and HB692 would put a stop to that overcharging.
I am writing in support of HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696 and in opposition to HB702. Any bills returning us to the simple verbiage in the Constitution stating "shall not be infringed" is a bill that any representative should be happy to sign. HB702 is a nonsensical bill and unnecessary bill . Anyone no longer wishing to possess a firearm can very easily sell it to an FFL for compensation or destruction if it is beyond repair.
As a retired US Army Warrant Officer and avid gun enthusiast, I agree with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed! This is a punishment to law abiding Virginians.
I agree with the VCDL positions regarding the above bills.
Today’s Democrats, Democratic Socialists, and Conservatives who take away our rights when it comes to defending ourselves from tyranny, criminals, and tyranny are not protected Virginia citizens. The Left puts a bandaid over the real issues instead of using factual information and data. Some examples: metal detectors, DEI, low standards and expectations for specific careers, defund police and replace with mental counselors, lockdowns, forced vaccinations and masks. . The law abiding Virginian citizens without criminal background who register their firearms, take guns safety, and keep the firearm in a secure location are the most fundamental elements. Why is the Left still punishing the law abiding Virginian citizens instead of the criminals? Why is the Left still supporting dangerous individuals? You don’t have the decency to do what is best for our state and country. The Biden administration damaged our democracy and humanity.
The attachment lays out reasoning and comments the committee should consider when reviewing House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and 702.
I agree with VCDL. No infringement on my Constitutional Rights.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I stand with VCDL on these bills, they are common sense and do no harm to law abiding gun owners.
We stand with VCDL
aprrove hb 101 reduces time and government employee's time saving money approve hb106 it doesn't cost $50 in labor to renew a permit approve hb 540 women need to be able to protect themselves against dangerous males approve hb 623 a firearm should be returned to the original owner after someone used it illegally approve hb 696 rest stops are very dangerous areas for criminals to attack people oppose 702 firearms should be sold to a legitimate FFL Dealer not destroyed. The money could be put into the general fund
Please support these bills. As a Democrat and gun owner, we need to support common sense gun legislation that protects the rights of lawful gun owners and those seeking to purchase firearms for self-defense reasons. My girlfriend used a handgun to protect herself against a forced entry into her apartment. Without that firearm, which she did not fire, there is no telling what could have happened. Please support these bills - search your conscience.
I support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696. I oppose HB702.
I agree with the VCDL on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed!
Chairman Clark and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the several firearms-related bills scheduled for consideration on January 22nd. I submit this comment in strong opposition to any legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Virginians, including but not limited to HB540, HB691, HB696, and any bill that imposes new fees, new barriers, or expanded discretion over the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment is not a conditional privilege granted by the state — it is a pre-existing individual right that government is obligated to protect, not chip away at. This is not a matter of personal opinion; it is the settled law of the United States, reaffirmed in Heller (2008), McDonald (2010), and Bruen (2022). Under Bruen, any modern firearms restriction must align with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. None of the proposals in these bills satisfy that standard. On fee increases and permit limitations (HB101, HB106, HB692) Attempting to raise fees or add administrative hurdles to the concealed handgun permit process places a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right. Fundamental rights cannot be conditioned on a citizen’s ability to pay a government-imposed fee. That principle is well established across multiple Supreme Court rulings dealing with constitutional freedoms. On expanding local authority to restrict firearms (HB691) Allowing localities to create their own firearm restrictions guarantees inconsistency, confusion, and unequal treatment of Virginians depending on which side of a city line they stand. State-level preemption exists for a reason: constitutional rights should not be fragmented or subject to a patchwork of differing local rules. This approach is not compatible with constitutional uniformity. On forfeiture, reclassification, and new criminal penalties (HB523, HB696) These proposals do not target criminal behavior; they target lawful Virginians. Violent crime is already committed overwhelmingly by individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms. Adding new categories of liability or expanding restricted locations has no historical foundation and only burdens citizens who already comply with the law. On the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund (HB720) While labeled as voluntary, state-funded “give-back” programs have repeatedly been shown nationwide to provide no measurable improvement in public safety. They serve only symbolic purposes while reinforcing the misguided narrative that lawful gun ownership is inherently problematic. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund ineffective strategies with no empirical foundation. I respectfully urge the Subcommittee to reject any bill that infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Virginians to own, carry, and responsibly use firearms. Public safety is not achieved by restricting the liberties of responsible citizens. It is achieved by enforcing existing laws against those who commit violent acts and by upholding the constitutional protections that every Virginian is entitled to. Thank you for your time and your attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Patrick McCormick Citizen, Commonwealth of Virginia
I support both HB101 and HB106. It's time to cut through some of the red tape that interferes with exercising our constitutionally protected rights.
I strongly support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, HB696 and I respectfully request the members to Support these bills on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. I am strongly opposed to HB702 I and respectfully request that Members oppose this bill on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. Furthermore, I fully support the comments by VCDL- Virginia Citizens Defense League's on these proposed bills. Thank you, Chris McDorman
To the Honorable Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing to you today to express my stance on several bills currently under review by this esteemed body. On Behalf of the People of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I agree with the Citizens Defense League on all these matters. And specifically, I disagree with HB 702. Not only is HB 702 a disgusting way to damage the environment with more trash, and encourages it, but the funds of the program are not correctly distributed back to where those taxes originally went. It also implies that the government gave me a product they did not and it's my responsibility to return it. Which is an inappropriate depiction of the government and certainly overreach. Thank You for reviewing my statement. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. These bills seem to only be targeting law abding citizens, which i do not agree with nor believe Virginia resident's will be better off for. Laws such as these will actually make Virginians less safe.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. They are government over reach. All gun laws are infringements on the second amendment. The bills give criminals an upper hand because they don’t follow laws.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill and VA should follow the 2nd Amendment and what is being established at the Federal Govt level.
I support the position of VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL on these bills. Recognizing and expanding the rights of peaceful carry and ownership of all sorts of firearms is an essential part of guaranteeing freedoms for all VA citizens.
Hello, I wanted to express my support for both HB101 and HB106. As a left-of-center gun owner I believe these will make safe and legal access to firearms for self defense more equitable. I would also like to call to attention HB217 and HB207. I urge you to vote against these bills. Many of the features used to define an "assault weapon" are ultimately leveraged by people with physical disabilities or ailments. For someone with joint issues a muzzle brake, vertical foregrip, and a pistol grip can significantly reduce pain experienced when using a rifle. Standard capacity (i.e. 30-round) magazines for rifles are critical for people who have lost the use of an arm or hand due to injury or a variety of ailments. I strongly urge you to reconsider these features as accessibility aids and vote no on HB217. Guns used in training and competition can typically produce up to 160 decibels when fired, well above the 90 decibel threshold for hearing loss. The most effective method to prevent hearing loss for people who regularly use or are around firearms is a layered approach include ear plugs, ear muffs, and a suppressor. A $500 tax on suppressors will have minimal impact on crime as they are vary rarely used in crimes, but it would reduce access to this hearing protection technology for individuals in critical professions such as education that live paycheck to paycheck. Why should hearing protection be made less available to these groups? Thank you for taking the time to review these comments, as these matters are critical to both myself and my community of left-of-center competitive shooters. Regards, Kyle Gervais
As a representative of r/VAGuns, a popular online community of Virginia gun owners on the social media platform Reddit, we fully and unanimously DO NOT support this bill and others like it that blatantly violate Second Amendment rights with disregard for tradition or case law. These bills DO NOT represent practical, balanced measures that help safeguard our community, and r/VAGuns does NOT back these efforts to infringe on the rights of Virginians.
I agree with this bill it lowers the cost and increases the affordability of citizens in the community to be able to continue to protect their selves and their families. Please show the deepest respect for gun owners and the 2nd Amendment is no different than any other amendment.
As a representative of r/VAGuns, a popular online community of Virginia gun owners on the social media platform Reddit, we fully and unanimously endorse this bill and others like it that promote common-sense gun laws. Our community stands united in support of the recent legislation being passed in the General Assembly, which aims to protect and strengthen our neighborhoods while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners. These bills represent practical, balanced measures that help safeguard our community, and r/VAGuns proudly backs these efforts to promote safety and responsibility across Virginia.
Simply unconstitutional. Only a tyrant would agree with this. A waste of time and money for no benefit.
Wonderful changes. Makes access to a CCW permit lower cost and easier to obtain. Next step, permit less carry
I support this bill. This bill gives those who may be financially burdened the ability to obtain a concealed carry permit.
I am here to support HB106, with an important caveat. if the Commonwealth is going to impose a permitting system at all, then the fee should be as low as possible, reasonable, and not used as a barrier to lawful carry. Lowering the processing fee reduces the financial burden on law-abiding Virginians. This is similar to hunting and fishing licenses, where modest fees are accepted because they are limited, predictable, and tied to legitimate state functions. However, it is critical that any revenue generated from concealed handgun permit fees be kept within the Commonwealth and used for neutral purposes like the Department of Wildlife Resources—not diverted to ideological programs, anti-gun organizations, or unrelated NGOs.
I write in Support of Delegate Ballard's HB 106, which would lower the cost of a conceal carry permit to half of its current price. This lowered price is much fairer and reflects only the price required for the background check and also the services provided by the Sheriff. By lowering the cost, the agencies required as part of the background check process can still recieve fair compensation, but are not unduly burdening law abiding citizens who are using their constitutional rights. I request that the Hosue pass HB 106.
I agree with lowering the fees.
Go fuck yourself heimer, you should be deported to Israel or New Jersey. Just get the fuck out of this state. Appreciate it.
HB540 - Carrying firearms in restricted locations; exception.
I stand with VCDL.
I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.
No new firearms laws will lower gun violence rates. Begin enforcing the existing laws and stop letting violent offenders off the hook. All of the firearms related bills being presented fly directly in the face of the 2nd amendment. Making guns harder to come by for law abiding citizens does not stop criminals from getting them. They don’t obey the law anyway! If you pass these bills it will be a direct statement that you do not care about the rights of Virginia residents and only seek to disarm all citizens. The second amendment is quite clear, “shall not be infringed”, stop infringing on our rights given to us by our creator God almighty. Please, truly think about what you are voting for. I think you will realize that the majority of Virginians do not want these new gun laws and that they will be ineffective at achieving your intended goals. Whether that be a sincere attempt to lower gun violence or an overt attempt to disarm law abiding American citizens. Thank you for the time you dedicate to serving our great commonwealth and for taking the time to read this comment.
I agree with VCDL on all these bills.
I support the VCDL stance on these bills.
I agree with the VCDL.
I support House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, and 696. The 2nd amendment is a neccessary to prevent any government infringement on our liberties. It is particularly neccessary in the time that we are currently living through. With the current civil unrest throughout the country we should encourage more gun ownership and carrying of firearms. The Virginia Constitution in Article I Section 3 states that "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...". I believe these laws lessen the infringements on the rights that so many Virginians died for. I strong oppose House Bill 702. I oppose the give-back program for two reasons. Firstly, I believe destroying these firearms will lead to the destruction of historical firearms. This has occured in many other states. It would be preferable to have them stored or resold. I also worry about the financial costs that a bill like this would have. The labor costs and cost of destruction could be better allocated in our schools, roads, or VIrginia State Police.
HB101: This allows for modern electronic methods of applying for concealed handgun permits. I strongly support this bill. HB106: The monetary burden for exercising your right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. I strongly support this bill. HB540: I strongly support this bill. HB623: There should always be a clearly defined route for having seized property of any kind returned. I strongly support this bill. HB691: Citizens should not have to choose between exercising their Constitutionally protected rights or enjoying the parks and other public facilities in their area - especially those of us that are parents and choose to bear arms to protect our families. I strongly support this bill. HB692: I strongly support this bill. HB696: Similar to HB691, I should be able to use the rest areas that my taxes help to pay for while peacefully exercising my right to bear arms in self defense. Lawful firearm owners are no danger to the other guests of these rest stops or government run stores. Criminals looking for easy targets will happily violate the law as it stands now to go armed in these areas knowing that their victims are disarmed. I strongly support this bill. HB702: Programs like the one that this bill are mainly used by family members to destroy heirloom firearms that are no longer wanted and in many cases rare or historic firearms are permanently destroyed with no option for museums, historians or collectors to rescue them. I OPPOSE this bill as it is written here and would prefer to see a program where the public is allowed access to purchase any abandoned firearms at fair market value before they are destroyed.
I am in favor of HB101,HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB 696. I am against HB702 and any type of buy back program
HB101, Del. Ballard, this would be helpful and accessible to people with mobility impairments and stalking victims who fear leaving home HB106, Del. Ballard - this would make CHPs more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas. HB540, Del. Hamilton - this will help victims of domestic violence far more HB623, Del. Cherry, - return of confiscated weapons should be automatic, but since it is not, this is the next best thing HB691, Del. Zehr, - courts have already ruled that laws restricting firearms in these areas are unconstitutional HB692, Del. Zehr, - this will help those whose budgets are already tight and is consistent with the reduction in charges based on court rulings that UBCs are unconstitutional for 18-21 year olds. HB696, Del. Zehr - stalkers only need to follow us into places where we cannot carry to complete their crimes. Let's reduce the availability of defense free zones HB702, Del. Cole, J., - this is an expensive program that lacks justification. There are services to dispose of unwanted firearms already, we don't need more government to achieve this.
I support VCDL’s position on this legislation.
All around Virginia, women are placed at risk by state and local restrictions on carrying guns. Please approve HB540, HB691, and HB696, which contain reasonable changes to allow vulnerable people to protect themselves when they are in public.
I am writing in support of HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696 and in opposition to HB702. Any bills returning us to the simple verbiage in the Constitution stating "shall not be infringed" is a bill that any representative should be happy to sign. HB702 is a nonsensical bill and unnecessary bill . Anyone no longer wishing to possess a firearm can very easily sell it to an FFL for compensation or destruction if it is beyond repair.
As a retired US Army Warrant Officer and avid gun enthusiast, I agree with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed! This is a punishment to law abiding Virginians.
I agree with the VCDL positions regarding the above bills.
The attachment lays out reasoning and comments the committee should consider when reviewing House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and 702.
I agree with VCDL. No infringement on my Constitutional Rights.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I stand with VCDL on these bills, they are common sense and do no harm to law abiding gun owners.
We stand with VCDL
aprrove hb 101 reduces time and government employee's time saving money approve hb106 it doesn't cost $50 in labor to renew a permit approve hb 540 women need to be able to protect themselves against dangerous males approve hb 623 a firearm should be returned to the original owner after someone used it illegally approve hb 696 rest stops are very dangerous areas for criminals to attack people oppose 702 firearms should be sold to a legitimate FFL Dealer not destroyed. The money could be put into the general fund
Please support these bills. As a Democrat and gun owner, we need to support common sense gun legislation that protects the rights of lawful gun owners and those seeking to purchase firearms for self-defense reasons. My girlfriend used a handgun to protect herself against a forced entry into her apartment. Without that firearm, which she did not fire, there is no telling what could have happened. Please support these bills - search your conscience.
I support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696. I oppose HB702.
I agree with the VCDL on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed!
Chairman Clark and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the several firearms-related bills scheduled for consideration on January 22nd. I submit this comment in strong opposition to any legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Virginians, including but not limited to HB540, HB691, HB696, and any bill that imposes new fees, new barriers, or expanded discretion over the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment is not a conditional privilege granted by the state — it is a pre-existing individual right that government is obligated to protect, not chip away at. This is not a matter of personal opinion; it is the settled law of the United States, reaffirmed in Heller (2008), McDonald (2010), and Bruen (2022). Under Bruen, any modern firearms restriction must align with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. None of the proposals in these bills satisfy that standard. On fee increases and permit limitations (HB101, HB106, HB692) Attempting to raise fees or add administrative hurdles to the concealed handgun permit process places a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right. Fundamental rights cannot be conditioned on a citizen’s ability to pay a government-imposed fee. That principle is well established across multiple Supreme Court rulings dealing with constitutional freedoms. On expanding local authority to restrict firearms (HB691) Allowing localities to create their own firearm restrictions guarantees inconsistency, confusion, and unequal treatment of Virginians depending on which side of a city line they stand. State-level preemption exists for a reason: constitutional rights should not be fragmented or subject to a patchwork of differing local rules. This approach is not compatible with constitutional uniformity. On forfeiture, reclassification, and new criminal penalties (HB523, HB696) These proposals do not target criminal behavior; they target lawful Virginians. Violent crime is already committed overwhelmingly by individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms. Adding new categories of liability or expanding restricted locations has no historical foundation and only burdens citizens who already comply with the law. On the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund (HB720) While labeled as voluntary, state-funded “give-back” programs have repeatedly been shown nationwide to provide no measurable improvement in public safety. They serve only symbolic purposes while reinforcing the misguided narrative that lawful gun ownership is inherently problematic. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund ineffective strategies with no empirical foundation. I respectfully urge the Subcommittee to reject any bill that infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Virginians to own, carry, and responsibly use firearms. Public safety is not achieved by restricting the liberties of responsible citizens. It is achieved by enforcing existing laws against those who commit violent acts and by upholding the constitutional protections that every Virginian is entitled to. Thank you for your time and your attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Patrick McCormick Citizen, Commonwealth of Virginia
I strongly support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, HB696 and I respectfully request the members to Support these bills on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. I am strongly opposed to HB702 I and respectfully request that Members oppose this bill on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. Furthermore, I fully support the comments by VCDL- Virginia Citizens Defense League's on these proposed bills. Thank you, Chris McDorman
To the Honorable Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing to you today to express my stance on several bills currently under review by this esteemed body. On Behalf of the People of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I agree with the Citizens Defense League on all these matters. And specifically, I disagree with HB 702. Not only is HB 702 a disgusting way to damage the environment with more trash, and encourages it, but the funds of the program are not correctly distributed back to where those taxes originally went. It also implies that the government gave me a product they did not and it's my responsibility to return it. Which is an inappropriate depiction of the government and certainly overreach. Thank You for reviewing my statement. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills.
As an active member of several 2nd Amendment organizations, I support HB540 with one important caveat. The bill as written, "...exempts a woman who is a current victim of family abuse and has a protective order against a family or household member ..." I strongly suggest this be amended to exempt a "PERSON," as men are also victims of domestic violence and can find themselves in the same situation as women. The number of male victims of domestic violence is greater than reported, as many men are embarrassed to report their abuse to authorities. One may argue that men are stronger than women and therefore do not need this exemption. All 14th Amendment Equal Protection under the law arguments aside, an unarmed male victim of an armed female abuser can't logically defend himself. Add age and disability to the mix and the victim's situation worsens. I speak from personal experience as a domestic violence victim who had to take out an EPO on a household member. If this bill is passed as is, someone in my situation would find no protection from this bill, while the abuser could counterclaim abuse (which she did) and have "protection" under this bill. This abuser later married, then shot and killed her husband 6 months after they wed. Please change this bill to include all persons.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. These bills seem to only be targeting law abding citizens, which i do not agree with nor believe Virginia resident's will be better off for. Laws such as these will actually make Virginians less safe.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. They are government over reach. All gun laws are infringements on the second amendment. The bills give criminals an upper hand because they don’t follow laws.
I support the position of VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL on these bills. Recognizing and expanding the rights of peaceful carry and ownership of all sorts of firearms is an essential part of guaranteeing freedoms for all VA citizens.
I urge you to vote yes on these bills. These bills are moderate and common sense laws that help improve all Virginians ability to exercise their rights and protect themselves.
This is a 2nd amendment violation. The constitution does not exclude where I can and can't carry a firearm and nether will you.
This is a 2nd amendment violation. The constitution does not exclude where I can and can't carry a firearm and nether will you.
This is a clear 2nd amendment violation and your oath was to uphold the constitution. There for any violation of that oath will not get my vote or my friends and family vote in the future. We all vote in a block. Just like the Muslim friends do.
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. Whether it is Republicans or Democrats it seems our rights are being pinched away, piece by piece. I ask our representatives and Governor to use "common sense" and not pass these blatant violations to our guaranteed constitutional right. You representatives cannot simply pick and choose which constitutional amendments apply to citizens or we may as well not have a constitution at all.
I submit this comment in strong support of HB540. While I generally oppose legislation that expands firearm prohibitions or burdens lawful carry, HB540 corrects an existing overbroad restriction by ensuring that victims who face an imminent and documented threat are not forcibly disarmed. This exception reinforces, rather than diminishes, the constitutional core of self defense. HB540 provides that the prohibition on carrying firearms in certain restricted locations does not apply to a woman who is a current victim of family abuse and has an active protective order against a family or household member. This is a narrow, carefully defined population already recognized by the Commonwealth as facing heightened danger. Existing location based bans unintentionally disarm such women in government buildings, polling places, transit areas, and other settings covered by the statutes amended by this bill. HB540 restores (not expands) her ability to protect herself where those prohibitions would otherwise leave her vulnerable. The amendment is precisely tailored. The bill applies only when (1) the individual is a current victim of family abuse, and (2) the individual has an active, judicially issued protective order. These requirements ensure that the exception tracks objective, court recognized risk and cannot be invoked casually. It does not create new classes of carriers or dilute existing public safety rules; it only prevents the state from stripping defensive capability from those at greatest risk of retaliatory violence. This bill also integrates cleanly with existing preemption and location based statutes, amending §§15.2 915, 18.2 283.2, 18.2 287.01, 18.2 287.4, 18.2 308, 24.2 604, 24.2 671, and 24.2 802.1. These updates are necessary to ensure uniform application across localities and state governed properties, preventing a fragmented landscape where a victim may be protected in one building but unlawfully disarmed by crossing a municipal line. HB540 also aligns with the constitutional tradition recognized in Heller and Bruen: the right to keep and bear arms is strongest when exercised for lawful self defense against an identified threat. Domestic violence victims with protective orders fall squarely within that protected core. Nothing in HB540 alters prohibitions on offenders or weakens restrictions on individuals who pose dangers to others; rather, it ensures that the Commonwealth does not inadvertently expose victims to greater harm during the highest risk period following separation and legal intervention. For all these reasons, HB540 deserves the Committee’s full support. It is a rights restorative, safety enhancing correction to an overbroad restriction, and it reflects Virginia’s commitment to both constitutional principles and the protection of its most vulnerable residents. Respectfully submitted.
HB623 - Forfeiture of certain weapons; petition for return by Commonwealth.
I stand with VCDL.
I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.
No new firearms laws will lower gun violence rates. Begin enforcing the existing laws and stop letting violent offenders off the hook. All of the firearms related bills being presented fly directly in the face of the 2nd amendment. Making guns harder to come by for law abiding citizens does not stop criminals from getting them. They don’t obey the law anyway! If you pass these bills it will be a direct statement that you do not care about the rights of Virginia residents and only seek to disarm all citizens. The second amendment is quite clear, “shall not be infringed”, stop infringing on our rights given to us by our creator God almighty. Please, truly think about what you are voting for. I think you will realize that the majority of Virginians do not want these new gun laws and that they will be ineffective at achieving your intended goals. Whether that be a sincere attempt to lower gun violence or an overt attempt to disarm law abiding American citizens. Thank you for the time you dedicate to serving our great commonwealth and for taking the time to read this comment.
I agree with VCDL on all these bills.
I support the VCDL stance on these bills.
I support this bill. It seems like common sense for the Commonwealth to return property of any kind to its rightful owner, if the property was stolen from the owner and later comes into the Commonwealth's possession. I'm sure that's how it works for a stolen car, so why not the same standard for firearms?
I agree with the VCDL.
I support House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, and 696. The 2nd amendment is a neccessary to prevent any government infringement on our liberties. It is particularly neccessary in the time that we are currently living through. With the current civil unrest throughout the country we should encourage more gun ownership and carrying of firearms. The Virginia Constitution in Article I Section 3 states that "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...". I believe these laws lessen the infringements on the rights that so many Virginians died for. I strong oppose House Bill 702. I oppose the give-back program for two reasons. Firstly, I believe destroying these firearms will lead to the destruction of historical firearms. This has occured in many other states. It would be preferable to have them stored or resold. I also worry about the financial costs that a bill like this would have. The labor costs and cost of destruction could be better allocated in our schools, roads, or VIrginia State Police.
HB101: This allows for modern electronic methods of applying for concealed handgun permits. I strongly support this bill. HB106: The monetary burden for exercising your right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. I strongly support this bill. HB540: I strongly support this bill. HB623: There should always be a clearly defined route for having seized property of any kind returned. I strongly support this bill. HB691: Citizens should not have to choose between exercising their Constitutionally protected rights or enjoying the parks and other public facilities in their area - especially those of us that are parents and choose to bear arms to protect our families. I strongly support this bill. HB692: I strongly support this bill. HB696: Similar to HB691, I should be able to use the rest areas that my taxes help to pay for while peacefully exercising my right to bear arms in self defense. Lawful firearm owners are no danger to the other guests of these rest stops or government run stores. Criminals looking for easy targets will happily violate the law as it stands now to go armed in these areas knowing that their victims are disarmed. I strongly support this bill. HB702: Programs like the one that this bill are mainly used by family members to destroy heirloom firearms that are no longer wanted and in many cases rare or historic firearms are permanently destroyed with no option for museums, historians or collectors to rescue them. I OPPOSE this bill as it is written here and would prefer to see a program where the public is allowed access to purchase any abandoned firearms at fair market value before they are destroyed.
I am in favor of HB101,HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB 696. I am against HB702 and any type of buy back program
HB101, Del. Ballard, this would be helpful and accessible to people with mobility impairments and stalking victims who fear leaving home HB106, Del. Ballard - this would make CHPs more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas. HB540, Del. Hamilton - this will help victims of domestic violence far more HB623, Del. Cherry, - return of confiscated weapons should be automatic, but since it is not, this is the next best thing HB691, Del. Zehr, - courts have already ruled that laws restricting firearms in these areas are unconstitutional HB692, Del. Zehr, - this will help those whose budgets are already tight and is consistent with the reduction in charges based on court rulings that UBCs are unconstitutional for 18-21 year olds. HB696, Del. Zehr - stalkers only need to follow us into places where we cannot carry to complete their crimes. Let's reduce the availability of defense free zones HB702, Del. Cole, J., - this is an expensive program that lacks justification. There are services to dispose of unwanted firearms already, we don't need more government to achieve this.
I support VCDL’s position on this legislation.
If someone steals a gun and uses it in a crime, the gun's owner should be allowed to recover his or her property when the gun is no longer needed for evidence in court proceedings. Please support HB 623 to allow innocent people to recover their property.
I am writing in support of HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696 and in opposition to HB702. Any bills returning us to the simple verbiage in the Constitution stating "shall not be infringed" is a bill that any representative should be happy to sign. HB702 is a nonsensical bill and unnecessary bill . Anyone no longer wishing to possess a firearm can very easily sell it to an FFL for compensation or destruction if it is beyond repair.
As a retired US Army Warrant Officer and avid gun enthusiast, I agree with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed! This is a punishment to law abiding Virginians.
I agree with the VCDL positions regarding the above bills.
The attachment lays out reasoning and comments the committee should consider when reviewing House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and 702.
I agree with VCDL. No infringement on my Constitutional Rights.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I stand with VCDL on these bills, they are common sense and do no harm to law abiding gun owners.
We stand with VCDL
aprrove hb 101 reduces time and government employee's time saving money approve hb106 it doesn't cost $50 in labor to renew a permit approve hb 540 women need to be able to protect themselves against dangerous males approve hb 623 a firearm should be returned to the original owner after someone used it illegally approve hb 696 rest stops are very dangerous areas for criminals to attack people oppose 702 firearms should be sold to a legitimate FFL Dealer not destroyed. The money could be put into the general fund
Please support these bills. As a Democrat and gun owner, we need to support common sense gun legislation that protects the rights of lawful gun owners and those seeking to purchase firearms for self-defense reasons. My girlfriend used a handgun to protect herself against a forced entry into her apartment. Without that firearm, which she did not fire, there is no telling what could have happened. Please support these bills - search your conscience.
I support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696. I oppose HB702.
I agree with the VCDL on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed!
Chairman Clark and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the several firearms-related bills scheduled for consideration on January 22nd. I submit this comment in strong opposition to any legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Virginians, including but not limited to HB540, HB691, HB696, and any bill that imposes new fees, new barriers, or expanded discretion over the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment is not a conditional privilege granted by the state — it is a pre-existing individual right that government is obligated to protect, not chip away at. This is not a matter of personal opinion; it is the settled law of the United States, reaffirmed in Heller (2008), McDonald (2010), and Bruen (2022). Under Bruen, any modern firearms restriction must align with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. None of the proposals in these bills satisfy that standard. On fee increases and permit limitations (HB101, HB106, HB692) Attempting to raise fees or add administrative hurdles to the concealed handgun permit process places a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right. Fundamental rights cannot be conditioned on a citizen’s ability to pay a government-imposed fee. That principle is well established across multiple Supreme Court rulings dealing with constitutional freedoms. On expanding local authority to restrict firearms (HB691) Allowing localities to create their own firearm restrictions guarantees inconsistency, confusion, and unequal treatment of Virginians depending on which side of a city line they stand. State-level preemption exists for a reason: constitutional rights should not be fragmented or subject to a patchwork of differing local rules. This approach is not compatible with constitutional uniformity. On forfeiture, reclassification, and new criminal penalties (HB523, HB696) These proposals do not target criminal behavior; they target lawful Virginians. Violent crime is already committed overwhelmingly by individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms. Adding new categories of liability or expanding restricted locations has no historical foundation and only burdens citizens who already comply with the law. On the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund (HB720) While labeled as voluntary, state-funded “give-back” programs have repeatedly been shown nationwide to provide no measurable improvement in public safety. They serve only symbolic purposes while reinforcing the misguided narrative that lawful gun ownership is inherently problematic. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund ineffective strategies with no empirical foundation. I respectfully urge the Subcommittee to reject any bill that infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Virginians to own, carry, and responsibly use firearms. Public safety is not achieved by restricting the liberties of responsible citizens. It is achieved by enforcing existing laws against those who commit violent acts and by upholding the constitutional protections that every Virginian is entitled to. Thank you for your time and your attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Patrick McCormick Citizen, Commonwealth of Virginia
I strongly support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, HB696 and I respectfully request the members to Support these bills on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. I am strongly opposed to HB702 I and respectfully request that Members oppose this bill on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. Furthermore, I fully support the comments by VCDL- Virginia Citizens Defense League's on these proposed bills. Thank you, Chris McDorman
To the Honorable Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing to you today to express my stance on several bills currently under review by this esteemed body. On Behalf of the People of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I agree with the Citizens Defense League on all these matters. And specifically, I disagree with HB 702. Not only is HB 702 a disgusting way to damage the environment with more trash, and encourages it, but the funds of the program are not correctly distributed back to where those taxes originally went. It also implies that the government gave me a product they did not and it's my responsibility to return it. Which is an inappropriate depiction of the government and certainly overreach. Thank You for reviewing my statement. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. These bills seem to only be targeting law abding citizens, which i do not agree with nor believe Virginia resident's will be better off for. Laws such as these will actually make Virginians less safe.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. They are government over reach. All gun laws are infringements on the second amendment. The bills give criminals an upper hand because they don’t follow laws.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill and VA should follow the 2nd Amendment and what is being established at the Federal Govt level.
I support the position of VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL on these bills. Recognizing and expanding the rights of peaceful carry and ownership of all sorts of firearms is an essential part of guaranteeing freedoms for all VA citizens.
I urge you to vote yes on these bills. These bills are moderate and common sense laws that help improve all Virginians ability to exercise their rights and protect themselves.
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. Whether it is Republicans or Democrats it seems our rights are being pinched away, piece by piece. I ask our representatives and Governor to use "common sense" and not pass these blatant violations to our guaranteed constitutional right. You representatives cannot simply pick and choose which constitutional amendments apply to citizens or we may as well not have a constitution at all.
HB691 - Firearms; control by localities.
I stand with VCDL.
I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.
No new firearms laws will lower gun violence rates. Begin enforcing the existing laws and stop letting violent offenders off the hook. All of the firearms related bills being presented fly directly in the face of the 2nd amendment. Making guns harder to come by for law abiding citizens does not stop criminals from getting them. They don’t obey the law anyway! If you pass these bills it will be a direct statement that you do not care about the rights of Virginia residents and only seek to disarm all citizens. The second amendment is quite clear, “shall not be infringed”, stop infringing on our rights given to us by our creator God almighty. Please, truly think about what you are voting for. I think you will realize that the majority of Virginians do not want these new gun laws and that they will be ineffective at achieving your intended goals. Whether that be a sincere attempt to lower gun violence or an overt attempt to disarm law abiding American citizens. Thank you for the time you dedicate to serving our great commonwealth and for taking the time to read this comment.
I agree with VCDL on all these bills.
I support the VCDL stance on these bills.
I agree with the VCDL.
I support House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, and 696. The 2nd amendment is a neccessary to prevent any government infringement on our liberties. It is particularly neccessary in the time that we are currently living through. With the current civil unrest throughout the country we should encourage more gun ownership and carrying of firearms. The Virginia Constitution in Article I Section 3 states that "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...". I believe these laws lessen the infringements on the rights that so many Virginians died for. I strong oppose House Bill 702. I oppose the give-back program for two reasons. Firstly, I believe destroying these firearms will lead to the destruction of historical firearms. This has occured in many other states. It would be preferable to have them stored or resold. I also worry about the financial costs that a bill like this would have. The labor costs and cost of destruction could be better allocated in our schools, roads, or VIrginia State Police.
HB101: This allows for modern electronic methods of applying for concealed handgun permits. I strongly support this bill. HB106: The monetary burden for exercising your right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. I strongly support this bill. HB540: I strongly support this bill. HB623: There should always be a clearly defined route for having seized property of any kind returned. I strongly support this bill. HB691: Citizens should not have to choose between exercising their Constitutionally protected rights or enjoying the parks and other public facilities in their area - especially those of us that are parents and choose to bear arms to protect our families. I strongly support this bill. HB692: I strongly support this bill. HB696: Similar to HB691, I should be able to use the rest areas that my taxes help to pay for while peacefully exercising my right to bear arms in self defense. Lawful firearm owners are no danger to the other guests of these rest stops or government run stores. Criminals looking for easy targets will happily violate the law as it stands now to go armed in these areas knowing that their victims are disarmed. I strongly support this bill. HB702: Programs like the one that this bill are mainly used by family members to destroy heirloom firearms that are no longer wanted and in many cases rare or historic firearms are permanently destroyed with no option for museums, historians or collectors to rescue them. I OPPOSE this bill as it is written here and would prefer to see a program where the public is allowed access to purchase any abandoned firearms at fair market value before they are destroyed.
I am in favor of HB101,HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB 696. I am against HB702 and any type of buy back program
HB101, Del. Ballard, this would be helpful and accessible to people with mobility impairments and stalking victims who fear leaving home HB106, Del. Ballard - this would make CHPs more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas. HB540, Del. Hamilton - this will help victims of domestic violence far more HB623, Del. Cherry, - return of confiscated weapons should be automatic, but since it is not, this is the next best thing HB691, Del. Zehr, - courts have already ruled that laws restricting firearms in these areas are unconstitutional HB692, Del. Zehr, - this will help those whose budgets are already tight and is consistent with the reduction in charges based on court rulings that UBCs are unconstitutional for 18-21 year olds. HB696, Del. Zehr - stalkers only need to follow us into places where we cannot carry to complete their crimes. Let's reduce the availability of defense free zones HB702, Del. Cole, J., - this is an expensive program that lacks justification. There are services to dispose of unwanted firearms already, we don't need more government to achieve this.
I support VCDL’s position on this legislation.
The ability for localities to prevent citizens from being able to defend themselves in parks, roads, sidewalks, or any other area a typical citizen would normally go is reprehensible and entirely outside the scope of local government. These are not “sensitive areas.” No reasonable person would ever think these could be areas in which their rights are stripped. These laws are designed solely for the purpose of making it more stressful and difficult to protect yourself. As such, I urge you to support HB691 and prevent localities from stripping away the rights of you and your fellow Virginians.
All around Virginia, women are placed at risk by state and local restrictions on carrying guns. Please approve HB540, HB691, and HB696, which contain reasonable changes to allow vulnerable people to protect themselves when they are in public.
I am writing in support of HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696 and in opposition to HB702. Any bills returning us to the simple verbiage in the Constitution stating "shall not be infringed" is a bill that any representative should be happy to sign. HB702 is a nonsensical bill and unnecessary bill . Anyone no longer wishing to possess a firearm can very easily sell it to an FFL for compensation or destruction if it is beyond repair.
As a retired US Army Warrant Officer and avid gun enthusiast, I agree with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed! This is a punishment to law abiding Virginians.
I agree with the VCDL positions regarding the above bills.
The attachment lays out reasoning and comments the committee should consider when reviewing House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and 702.
I agree with VCDL. No infringement on my Constitutional Rights.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I stand with VCDL on these bills, they are common sense and do no harm to law abiding gun owners.
We stand with VCDL
Please support these bills. As a Democrat and gun owner, we need to support common sense gun legislation that protects the rights of lawful gun owners and those seeking to purchase firearms for self-defense reasons. My girlfriend used a handgun to protect herself against a forced entry into her apartment. Without that firearm, which she did not fire, there is no telling what could have happened. Please support these bills - search your conscience.
I support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696. I oppose HB702.
I agree with the VCDL on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed!
I strongly support HB691. It is reckless to prohibit lawful carry in a public park. There is no secure perimeter, there are no metal detectors, and there generally are no security personnel. This means that the restriction only impacts law abiding citizens. Localities should not be allowed to disarm Virginians in any public space unless they take the necessary precautions to guarnatee their safety. In practice, this would require airport-like security to ensure that no person is armed. Otherwise, they are just creating a space where criminals know they can operate safely because they will not meet with armed resistance.
Chairman Clark and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the several firearms-related bills scheduled for consideration on January 22nd. I submit this comment in strong opposition to any legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Virginians, including but not limited to HB540, HB691, HB696, and any bill that imposes new fees, new barriers, or expanded discretion over the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment is not a conditional privilege granted by the state — it is a pre-existing individual right that government is obligated to protect, not chip away at. This is not a matter of personal opinion; it is the settled law of the United States, reaffirmed in Heller (2008), McDonald (2010), and Bruen (2022). Under Bruen, any modern firearms restriction must align with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. None of the proposals in these bills satisfy that standard. On fee increases and permit limitations (HB101, HB106, HB692) Attempting to raise fees or add administrative hurdles to the concealed handgun permit process places a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right. Fundamental rights cannot be conditioned on a citizen’s ability to pay a government-imposed fee. That principle is well established across multiple Supreme Court rulings dealing with constitutional freedoms. On expanding local authority to restrict firearms (HB691) Allowing localities to create their own firearm restrictions guarantees inconsistency, confusion, and unequal treatment of Virginians depending on which side of a city line they stand. State-level preemption exists for a reason: constitutional rights should not be fragmented or subject to a patchwork of differing local rules. This approach is not compatible with constitutional uniformity. On forfeiture, reclassification, and new criminal penalties (HB523, HB696) These proposals do not target criminal behavior; they target lawful Virginians. Violent crime is already committed overwhelmingly by individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms. Adding new categories of liability or expanding restricted locations has no historical foundation and only burdens citizens who already comply with the law. On the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund (HB720) While labeled as voluntary, state-funded “give-back” programs have repeatedly been shown nationwide to provide no measurable improvement in public safety. They serve only symbolic purposes while reinforcing the misguided narrative that lawful gun ownership is inherently problematic. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund ineffective strategies with no empirical foundation. I respectfully urge the Subcommittee to reject any bill that infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Virginians to own, carry, and responsibly use firearms. Public safety is not achieved by restricting the liberties of responsible citizens. It is achieved by enforcing existing laws against those who commit violent acts and by upholding the constitutional protections that every Virginian is entitled to. Thank you for your time and your attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Patrick McCormick Citizen, Commonwealth of Virginia
I strongly support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, HB696 and I respectfully request the members to Support these bills on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. I am strongly opposed to HB702 I and respectfully request that Members oppose this bill on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. Furthermore, I fully support the comments by VCDL- Virginia Citizens Defense League's on these proposed bills. Thank you, Chris McDorman
To the Honorable Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing to you today to express my stance on several bills currently under review by this esteemed body. On Behalf of the People of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I agree with the Citizens Defense League on all these matters. And specifically, I disagree with HB 702. Not only is HB 702 a disgusting way to damage the environment with more trash, and encourages it, but the funds of the program are not correctly distributed back to where those taxes originally went. It also implies that the government gave me a product they did not and it's my responsibility to return it. Which is an inappropriate depiction of the government and certainly overreach. Thank You for reviewing my statement. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. These bills seem to only be targeting law abding citizens, which i do not agree with nor believe Virginia resident's will be better off for. Laws such as these will actually make Virginians less safe.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. They are government over reach. All gun laws are infringements on the second amendment. The bills give criminals an upper hand because they don’t follow laws.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill and VA should follow the 2nd Amendment and what is being established at the Federal Govt level.
I support the position of VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL on these bills. Recognizing and expanding the rights of peaceful carry and ownership of all sorts of firearms is an essential part of guaranteeing freedoms for all VA citizens.
I urge you to vote yes on these bills. These bills are moderate and common sense laws that help improve all Virginians ability to exercise their rights and protect themselves.
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. Whether it is Republicans or Democrats it seems our rights are being pinched away, piece by piece. I ask our representatives and Governor to use "common sense" and not pass these blatant violations to our guaranteed constitutional right. You representatives cannot simply pick and choose which constitutional amendments apply to citizens or we may as well not have a constitution at all.
HB692 - Concealed handgun permit; lowers fee for processing an application.
I stand with VCDL.
I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.
No new firearms laws will lower gun violence rates. Begin enforcing the existing laws and stop letting violent offenders off the hook. All of the firearms related bills being presented fly directly in the face of the 2nd amendment. Making guns harder to come by for law abiding citizens does not stop criminals from getting them. They don’t obey the law anyway! If you pass these bills it will be a direct statement that you do not care about the rights of Virginia residents and only seek to disarm all citizens. The second amendment is quite clear, “shall not be infringed”, stop infringing on our rights given to us by our creator God almighty. Please, truly think about what you are voting for. I think you will realize that the majority of Virginians do not want these new gun laws and that they will be ineffective at achieving your intended goals. Whether that be a sincere attempt to lower gun violence or an overt attempt to disarm law abiding American citizens. Thank you for the time you dedicate to serving our great commonwealth and for taking the time to read this comment.
I agree with VCDL on all these bills.
I support the VCDL stance on these bills.
I agree with the VCDL.
I support House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, and 696. The 2nd amendment is a neccessary to prevent any government infringement on our liberties. It is particularly neccessary in the time that we are currently living through. With the current civil unrest throughout the country we should encourage more gun ownership and carrying of firearms. The Virginia Constitution in Article I Section 3 states that "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...". I believe these laws lessen the infringements on the rights that so many Virginians died for. I strong oppose House Bill 702. I oppose the give-back program for two reasons. Firstly, I believe destroying these firearms will lead to the destruction of historical firearms. This has occured in many other states. It would be preferable to have them stored or resold. I also worry about the financial costs that a bill like this would have. The labor costs and cost of destruction could be better allocated in our schools, roads, or VIrginia State Police.
HB101: This allows for modern electronic methods of applying for concealed handgun permits. I strongly support this bill. HB106: The monetary burden for exercising your right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. I strongly support this bill. HB540: I strongly support this bill. HB623: There should always be a clearly defined route for having seized property of any kind returned. I strongly support this bill. HB691: Citizens should not have to choose between exercising their Constitutionally protected rights or enjoying the parks and other public facilities in their area - especially those of us that are parents and choose to bear arms to protect our families. I strongly support this bill. HB692: I strongly support this bill. HB696: Similar to HB691, I should be able to use the rest areas that my taxes help to pay for while peacefully exercising my right to bear arms in self defense. Lawful firearm owners are no danger to the other guests of these rest stops or government run stores. Criminals looking for easy targets will happily violate the law as it stands now to go armed in these areas knowing that their victims are disarmed. I strongly support this bill. HB702: Programs like the one that this bill are mainly used by family members to destroy heirloom firearms that are no longer wanted and in many cases rare or historic firearms are permanently destroyed with no option for museums, historians or collectors to rescue them. I OPPOSE this bill as it is written here and would prefer to see a program where the public is allowed access to purchase any abandoned firearms at fair market value before they are destroyed.
I am in favor of HB101,HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB 696. I am against HB702 and any type of buy back program
HB101, Del. Ballard, this would be helpful and accessible to people with mobility impairments and stalking victims who fear leaving home HB106, Del. Ballard - this would make CHPs more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas. HB540, Del. Hamilton - this will help victims of domestic violence far more HB623, Del. Cherry, - return of confiscated weapons should be automatic, but since it is not, this is the next best thing HB691, Del. Zehr, - courts have already ruled that laws restricting firearms in these areas are unconstitutional HB692, Del. Zehr, - this will help those whose budgets are already tight and is consistent with the reduction in charges based on court rulings that UBCs are unconstitutional for 18-21 year olds. HB696, Del. Zehr - stalkers only need to follow us into places where we cannot carry to complete their crimes. Let's reduce the availability of defense free zones HB702, Del. Cole, J., - this is an expensive program that lacks justification. There are services to dispose of unwanted firearms already, we don't need more government to achieve this.
The right to bear arms is exactly that - a right. It is not a privilege. The government does not and cannot charge you to vote even though there are costs associated. This is no different. While we are all aware that this is a country with a distinct privileged class, it is supposed to be a country in which we all have the same rights. If you have to buy your rights, they are being infringed upon. Reducing fees is a step in the right direction. Support HB692 to support economic equality.
I support VCDL’s position on this legislation.
Concealed handgun permits should be affordable for people who need them. Some localities are charging more than it costs them to process the permits, which is contrary to the law. HB106 and HB692 would put a stop to that overcharging.
I am writing in support of HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696 and in opposition to HB702. Any bills returning us to the simple verbiage in the Constitution stating "shall not be infringed" is a bill that any representative should be happy to sign. HB702 is a nonsensical bill and unnecessary bill . Anyone no longer wishing to possess a firearm can very easily sell it to an FFL for compensation or destruction if it is beyond repair.
As a retired US Army Warrant Officer and avid gun enthusiast, I agree with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed! This is a punishment to law abiding Virginians.
I agree with the VCDL positions regarding the above bills.
The attachment lays out reasoning and comments the committee should consider when reviewing House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and 702.
I agree with VCDL. No infringement on my Constitutional Rights.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I stand with VCDL on these bills, they are common sense and do no harm to law abiding gun owners.
We stand with VCDL
Please support these bills. As a Democrat and gun owner, we need to support common sense gun legislation that protects the rights of lawful gun owners and those seeking to purchase firearms for self-defense reasons. My girlfriend used a handgun to protect herself against a forced entry into her apartment. Without that firearm, which she did not fire, there is no telling what could have happened. Please support these bills - search your conscience.
I support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696. I oppose HB702.
I agree with the VCDL on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed!
Chairman Clark and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the several firearms-related bills scheduled for consideration on January 22nd. I submit this comment in strong opposition to any legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Virginians, including but not limited to HB540, HB691, HB696, and any bill that imposes new fees, new barriers, or expanded discretion over the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment is not a conditional privilege granted by the state — it is a pre-existing individual right that government is obligated to protect, not chip away at. This is not a matter of personal opinion; it is the settled law of the United States, reaffirmed in Heller (2008), McDonald (2010), and Bruen (2022). Under Bruen, any modern firearms restriction must align with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. None of the proposals in these bills satisfy that standard. On fee increases and permit limitations (HB101, HB106, HB692) Attempting to raise fees or add administrative hurdles to the concealed handgun permit process places a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right. Fundamental rights cannot be conditioned on a citizen’s ability to pay a government-imposed fee. That principle is well established across multiple Supreme Court rulings dealing with constitutional freedoms. On expanding local authority to restrict firearms (HB691) Allowing localities to create their own firearm restrictions guarantees inconsistency, confusion, and unequal treatment of Virginians depending on which side of a city line they stand. State-level preemption exists for a reason: constitutional rights should not be fragmented or subject to a patchwork of differing local rules. This approach is not compatible with constitutional uniformity. On forfeiture, reclassification, and new criminal penalties (HB523, HB696) These proposals do not target criminal behavior; they target lawful Virginians. Violent crime is already committed overwhelmingly by individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms. Adding new categories of liability or expanding restricted locations has no historical foundation and only burdens citizens who already comply with the law. On the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund (HB720) While labeled as voluntary, state-funded “give-back” programs have repeatedly been shown nationwide to provide no measurable improvement in public safety. They serve only symbolic purposes while reinforcing the misguided narrative that lawful gun ownership is inherently problematic. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund ineffective strategies with no empirical foundation. I respectfully urge the Subcommittee to reject any bill that infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Virginians to own, carry, and responsibly use firearms. Public safety is not achieved by restricting the liberties of responsible citizens. It is achieved by enforcing existing laws against those who commit violent acts and by upholding the constitutional protections that every Virginian is entitled to. Thank you for your time and your attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Patrick McCormick Citizen, Commonwealth of Virginia
I strongly support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, HB696 and I respectfully request the members to Support these bills on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. I am strongly opposed to HB702 I and respectfully request that Members oppose this bill on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. Furthermore, I fully support the comments by VCDL- Virginia Citizens Defense League's on these proposed bills. Thank you, Chris McDorman
To the Honorable Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing to you today to express my stance on several bills currently under review by this esteemed body. On Behalf of the People of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I agree with the Citizens Defense League on all these matters. And specifically, I disagree with HB 702. Not only is HB 702 a disgusting way to damage the environment with more trash, and encourages it, but the funds of the program are not correctly distributed back to where those taxes originally went. It also implies that the government gave me a product they did not and it's my responsibility to return it. Which is an inappropriate depiction of the government and certainly overreach. Thank You for reviewing my statement. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. These bills seem to only be targeting law abding citizens, which i do not agree with nor believe Virginia resident's will be better off for. Laws such as these will actually make Virginians less safe.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. They are government over reach. All gun laws are infringements on the second amendment. The bills give criminals an upper hand because they don’t follow laws.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill and VA should follow the 2nd Amendment and what is being established at the Federal Govt level.
I support the position of VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL on these bills. Recognizing and expanding the rights of peaceful carry and ownership of all sorts of firearms is an essential part of guaranteeing freedoms for all VA citizens.
I urge you to vote yes on these bills. These bills are moderate and common sense laws that help improve all Virginians ability to exercise their rights and protect themselves.
This is a 2nd amendment violation. The constitution does not exclude where I can and can't carry a firearm and nether will you.
This is a 2nd amendment violation. The constitution does not exclude where I can and can't carry a firearm and nether will you.
My rights and 2nd amendment shall not be infringed apon! Everyone has a God given right to the 2nd amendment. Every one should have there gun and use it to defend their selves if needed.
I am for this bill. Everyone has a God given right to the 2nd amendment. Every one should have there gun and use it to defend their selves if needed.
HB696 - Firearm/explosive material; carrying into a bldg. owned or leased by the Commonwealth, exceptions.
I stand with VCDL.
I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.
No new firearms laws will lower gun violence rates. Begin enforcing the existing laws and stop letting violent offenders off the hook. All of the firearms related bills being presented fly directly in the face of the 2nd amendment. Making guns harder to come by for law abiding citizens does not stop criminals from getting them. They don’t obey the law anyway! If you pass these bills it will be a direct statement that you do not care about the rights of Virginia residents and only seek to disarm all citizens. The second amendment is quite clear, “shall not be infringed”, stop infringing on our rights given to us by our creator God almighty. Please, truly think about what you are voting for. I think you will realize that the majority of Virginians do not want these new gun laws and that they will be ineffective at achieving your intended goals. Whether that be a sincere attempt to lower gun violence or an overt attempt to disarm law abiding American citizens. Thank you for the time you dedicate to serving our great commonwealth and for taking the time to read this comment.
I agree with VCDL on all these bills.
I support the VCDL stance on these bills.
I agree with the VCDL.
I am writing in support of the bill to remove restrictions on peaceful carry of firearms in ABC Stores and Rest Stops. Most firearms used in crimes are stolen*. Usually from vehicles. When lawful CHP holders wish to patronize the ABC stores (a state monopoly) they must disarm and store their firearm in their car. Most trips to the ABC store are short, but thieves know this. Depending on how a person's car is decorated (stickers and whatnot) they may become an additional target for theft. I ride a motorcycle. Should I choose to patronize the ABC store, I must disarm IN FULL VIEW of the parking lot. This is unsavory to many people and I would rather not have folks know I am carrying, either. Discretion is the point. Similarly, I face similar issues patronizing the rest stops along I-81. Rest stops are full of posters discussing Human Trafficking. It's well known that the easy on - easy off nature of the rest stop promotes great convenience to the weary traveler and the potential criminal. The restroom facilities are a confined space open around the clock and allow for the potential of a criminal to lie in wait for a victim (or to steal firearms from a car). As a rider, I have found myself trekking miles out of the way (especially near Salem) just to use the facilities. The removal of the restrictions protect Virginians from immediate crime (rest stops) and future crime (firearms stolen from vehicles at ABC stores and rest stops). *Other bills proposed this session would have you believe criminals are lawfully purchasing firearms to commit future crimes. I will submit testimony on these matters in the future as they are brought up for debate.
I support House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, and 696. The 2nd amendment is a neccessary to prevent any government infringement on our liberties. It is particularly neccessary in the time that we are currently living through. With the current civil unrest throughout the country we should encourage more gun ownership and carrying of firearms. The Virginia Constitution in Article I Section 3 states that "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...". I believe these laws lessen the infringements on the rights that so many Virginians died for. I strong oppose House Bill 702. I oppose the give-back program for two reasons. Firstly, I believe destroying these firearms will lead to the destruction of historical firearms. This has occured in many other states. It would be preferable to have them stored or resold. I also worry about the financial costs that a bill like this would have. The labor costs and cost of destruction could be better allocated in our schools, roads, or VIrginia State Police.
HB101: This allows for modern electronic methods of applying for concealed handgun permits. I strongly support this bill. HB106: The monetary burden for exercising your right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. I strongly support this bill. HB540: I strongly support this bill. HB623: There should always be a clearly defined route for having seized property of any kind returned. I strongly support this bill. HB691: Citizens should not have to choose between exercising their Constitutionally protected rights or enjoying the parks and other public facilities in their area - especially those of us that are parents and choose to bear arms to protect our families. I strongly support this bill. HB692: I strongly support this bill. HB696: Similar to HB691, I should be able to use the rest areas that my taxes help to pay for while peacefully exercising my right to bear arms in self defense. Lawful firearm owners are no danger to the other guests of these rest stops or government run stores. Criminals looking for easy targets will happily violate the law as it stands now to go armed in these areas knowing that their victims are disarmed. I strongly support this bill. HB702: Programs like the one that this bill are mainly used by family members to destroy heirloom firearms that are no longer wanted and in many cases rare or historic firearms are permanently destroyed with no option for museums, historians or collectors to rescue them. I OPPOSE this bill as it is written here and would prefer to see a program where the public is allowed access to purchase any abandoned firearms at fair market value before they are destroyed.
I am in favor of HB101,HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB 696. I am against HB702 and any type of buy back program
HB101, Del. Ballard, this would be helpful and accessible to people with mobility impairments and stalking victims who fear leaving home HB106, Del. Ballard - this would make CHPs more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas. HB540, Del. Hamilton - this will help victims of domestic violence far more HB623, Del. Cherry, - return of confiscated weapons should be automatic, but since it is not, this is the next best thing HB691, Del. Zehr, - courts have already ruled that laws restricting firearms in these areas are unconstitutional HB692, Del. Zehr, - this will help those whose budgets are already tight and is consistent with the reduction in charges based on court rulings that UBCs are unconstitutional for 18-21 year olds. HB696, Del. Zehr - stalkers only need to follow us into places where we cannot carry to complete their crimes. Let's reduce the availability of defense free zones HB702, Del. Cole, J., - this is an expensive program that lacks justification. There are services to dispose of unwanted firearms already, we don't need more government to achieve this.
I support VCDL’s position on this legislation.
Preventing citizens from being allowed to carry at rest areas only makes Virginians less safe. Rest areas are frequently far away from police operations and provide no form of security. These areas are potential locations for robberies, assaults, abductions, and other horrific violent crimes. There has never been a criminal deterred from bringing a gun to a rest area by a law. If this crime were happening to you, would you want to be able to defend yourself, or would you rather become another statistic? Support HB696 and thus make Virginia safer.
All around Virginia, women are placed at risk by state and local restrictions on carrying guns. Please approve HB540, HB691, and HB696, which contain reasonable changes to allow vulnerable people to protect themselves when they are in public.
I am writing in support of HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696 and in opposition to HB702. Any bills returning us to the simple verbiage in the Constitution stating "shall not be infringed" is a bill that any representative should be happy to sign. HB702 is a nonsensical bill and unnecessary bill . Anyone no longer wishing to possess a firearm can very easily sell it to an FFL for compensation or destruction if it is beyond repair.
As a retired US Army Warrant Officer and avid gun enthusiast, I agree with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed! This is a punishment to law abiding Virginians.
I agree with the VCDL positions regarding the above bills.
The attachment lays out reasoning and comments the committee should consider when reviewing House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and 702.
I agree with VCDL. No infringement on my Constitutional Rights.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I strongly SUPPORT HB 696 and ask you to pass this bill into law. I travel throughout the state to visit family and friends, and am not as safe now that firearms are forbidden in rest stops. It has been years since I saw a state trooper at a rest stop, so where is the security? Rest stops are open 24 hours a day and can be deserted at times - if I, as a disabled veteran am uncomfortable, how would a lone woman, an elderly couple or a woman with children feel? There have been several shootings and stabbings at rest stops since this law was introduced. Previously, one would have to go back years to find an incident at a rest top involving a lawfully armed traveler. Even then you would be hard pressed to find an instance. Keep Virginia travelers safe.
I stand with VCDL on these bills, they are common sense and do no harm to law abiding gun owners.
HB 696 I support this bill and request the subcommittee approve this bill to remove highway rest areas and liquor stores from the gun ban. Here is some information I found on line relative to crime at rest stops in Virginia. Types of Crimes Reported • Violent Incidents: Shootings and stabbings have occurred, sometimes linked to ongoing disputes or road rage as seen in incidents on I-81 and I-95. • Illicit Activities: Undercover operations have revealed illicit sexual behavior as a common issue, according to Virginia State Police. • Property/Robbery: Robberies have been reported, including a fatal one in 1997. • Road Rage: Incidents escalate from disputes on the road to rest areas, sometimes involving weapons. Key Incidents • I-81 Shooting (2021): A domestic dispute led to a shooting where four people were injured by a gunman who later died after a police pursuit, notes WTOP and NBC4 Washington. • I-95 Killing (1997): A man was shot and robbed after helping his disabled sister use the restroom, sparking safety concerns. • I-64 (Colonial Parkway Murders): A rest area was the site of a vehicle recovery related to these unsolved murders, highlighting historical crime links, says Wikipedia. Likewise, crimes occur frequently at Virginia ABC stores. Here is what I have found on line. Liquor store crimes in Virginia, particularly at ABC stores, have seen a significant rise in thefts, including organized retail crime targeting high-value spirits, leading to nearly $1 million in losses in one recent year and prompting stores to implement new security like locked displays and counter service. Major incidents involve organized groups, like the one in Fairfax County stealing $72k in alcohol, but there's also the viral story of a drunk raccoon in Ashland. Law enforcement is increasing focus, with agencies like Henrico Police targeting these larcenies. Types of Crimes & Trends: • High-Value Shoplifting/Theft: Organized groups are stealing large quantities of expensive liquors, especially cognac, with significant losses reported statewide. • Organized Retail Crime: Cases, like one in Fairfax County involving a man and three minors, show coordinated efforts to steal large amounts of alcohol. • Increased Incidents: Thefts jumped dramatically in some areas, with Alexandria seeing a 222% increase in 2023, and Norfolk experiencing 113 burglaries in just six months in 2024. • Local Hotspots: Richmond and Henrico County have seen substantial theft issues, with ABC store thefts making up a large percentage of local larceny calls. The bottom line to this is that where crimes are occurring citizens should not be denied the means to protect themselves and their families. The current situation that prohibits concealed handguns in highway rest areas and Virginia ABC stores leaves innocent citizens vulnerable to criminals. Submitted by: Donald N. Beheler 362 Sherwood Drive Blue Ridge, VA 24064 540-728-0795 (cell)
We stand with VCDL
aprrove hb 101 reduces time and government employee's time saving money approve hb106 it doesn't cost $50 in labor to renew a permit approve hb 540 women need to be able to protect themselves against dangerous males approve hb 623 a firearm should be returned to the original owner after someone used it illegally approve hb 696 rest stops are very dangerous areas for criminals to attack people oppose 702 firearms should be sold to a legitimate FFL Dealer not destroyed. The money could be put into the general fund
Please support these bills. As a Democrat and gun owner, we need to support common sense gun legislation that protects the rights of lawful gun owners and those seeking to purchase firearms for self-defense reasons. My girlfriend used a handgun to protect herself against a forced entry into her apartment. Without that firearm, which she did not fire, there is no telling what could have happened. Please support these bills - search your conscience.
I support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696. I oppose HB702.
I agree with the VCDL on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed!
Chairman Clark and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the several firearms-related bills scheduled for consideration on January 22nd. I submit this comment in strong opposition to any legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Virginians, including but not limited to HB540, HB691, HB696, and any bill that imposes new fees, new barriers, or expanded discretion over the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment is not a conditional privilege granted by the state — it is a pre-existing individual right that government is obligated to protect, not chip away at. This is not a matter of personal opinion; it is the settled law of the United States, reaffirmed in Heller (2008), McDonald (2010), and Bruen (2022). Under Bruen, any modern firearms restriction must align with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. None of the proposals in these bills satisfy that standard. On fee increases and permit limitations (HB101, HB106, HB692) Attempting to raise fees or add administrative hurdles to the concealed handgun permit process places a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right. Fundamental rights cannot be conditioned on a citizen’s ability to pay a government-imposed fee. That principle is well established across multiple Supreme Court rulings dealing with constitutional freedoms. On expanding local authority to restrict firearms (HB691) Allowing localities to create their own firearm restrictions guarantees inconsistency, confusion, and unequal treatment of Virginians depending on which side of a city line they stand. State-level preemption exists for a reason: constitutional rights should not be fragmented or subject to a patchwork of differing local rules. This approach is not compatible with constitutional uniformity. On forfeiture, reclassification, and new criminal penalties (HB523, HB696) These proposals do not target criminal behavior; they target lawful Virginians. Violent crime is already committed overwhelmingly by individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms. Adding new categories of liability or expanding restricted locations has no historical foundation and only burdens citizens who already comply with the law. On the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund (HB720) While labeled as voluntary, state-funded “give-back” programs have repeatedly been shown nationwide to provide no measurable improvement in public safety. They serve only symbolic purposes while reinforcing the misguided narrative that lawful gun ownership is inherently problematic. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund ineffective strategies with no empirical foundation. I respectfully urge the Subcommittee to reject any bill that infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Virginians to own, carry, and responsibly use firearms. Public safety is not achieved by restricting the liberties of responsible citizens. It is achieved by enforcing existing laws against those who commit violent acts and by upholding the constitutional protections that every Virginian is entitled to. Thank you for your time and your attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Patrick McCormick Citizen, Commonwealth of Virginia
I strongly support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, HB696 and I respectfully request the members to Support these bills on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. I am strongly opposed to HB702 I and respectfully request that Members oppose this bill on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. Furthermore, I fully support the comments by VCDL- Virginia Citizens Defense League's on these proposed bills. Thank you, Chris McDorman
To the Honorable Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing to you today to express my stance on several bills currently under review by this esteemed body. On Behalf of the People of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I agree with the Citizens Defense League on all these matters. And specifically, I disagree with HB 702. Not only is HB 702 a disgusting way to damage the environment with more trash, and encourages it, but the funds of the program are not correctly distributed back to where those taxes originally went. It also implies that the government gave me a product they did not and it's my responsibility to return it. Which is an inappropriate depiction of the government and certainly overreach. Thank You for reviewing my statement. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. These bills seem to only be targeting law abding citizens, which i do not agree with nor believe Virginia resident's will be better off for. Laws such as these will actually make Virginians less safe.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. They are government over reach. All gun laws are infringements on the second amendment. The bills give criminals an upper hand because they don’t follow laws.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill and VA should follow the 2nd Amendment and what is being established at the Federal Govt level.
I support the position of VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL on these bills. Recognizing and expanding the rights of peaceful carry and ownership of all sorts of firearms is an essential part of guaranteeing freedoms for all VA citizens.
I urge you to vote yes on these bills. These bills are moderate and common sense laws that help improve all Virginians ability to exercise their rights and protect themselves.
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. Whether it is Republicans or Democrats it seems our rights are being pinched away, piece by piece. I ask our representatives and Governor to use "common sense" and not pass these blatant violations to our guaranteed constitutional right. You representatives cannot simply pick and choose which constitutional amendments apply to citizens or we may as well not have a constitution at all.
HB702 - Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund; established and created, report.
I stand with VCDL.
I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
No new firearms laws will lower gun violence rates. Begin enforcing the existing laws and stop letting violent offenders off the hook. All of the firearms related bills being presented fly directly in the face of the 2nd amendment. Making guns harder to come by for law abiding citizens does not stop criminals from getting them. They don’t obey the law anyway! If you pass these bills it will be a direct statement that you do not care about the rights of Virginia residents and only seek to disarm all citizens. The second amendment is quite clear, “shall not be infringed”, stop infringing on our rights given to us by our creator God almighty. Please, truly think about what you are voting for. I think you will realize that the majority of Virginians do not want these new gun laws and that they will be ineffective at achieving your intended goals. Whether that be a sincere attempt to lower gun violence or an overt attempt to disarm law abiding American citizens. Thank you for the time you dedicate to serving our great commonwealth and for taking the time to read this comment.
I agree with VCDL on all these bills.
I support the VCDL stance on these bills.
I agree with the VCDL.
I support House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, and 696. The 2nd amendment is a neccessary to prevent any government infringement on our liberties. It is particularly neccessary in the time that we are currently living through. With the current civil unrest throughout the country we should encourage more gun ownership and carrying of firearms. The Virginia Constitution in Article I Section 3 states that "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...". I believe these laws lessen the infringements on the rights that so many Virginians died for. I strong oppose House Bill 702. I oppose the give-back program for two reasons. Firstly, I believe destroying these firearms will lead to the destruction of historical firearms. This has occured in many other states. It would be preferable to have them stored or resold. I also worry about the financial costs that a bill like this would have. The labor costs and cost of destruction could be better allocated in our schools, roads, or VIrginia State Police.
HB101: This allows for modern electronic methods of applying for concealed handgun permits. I strongly support this bill. HB106: The monetary burden for exercising your right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. I strongly support this bill. HB540: I strongly support this bill. HB623: There should always be a clearly defined route for having seized property of any kind returned. I strongly support this bill. HB691: Citizens should not have to choose between exercising their Constitutionally protected rights or enjoying the parks and other public facilities in their area - especially those of us that are parents and choose to bear arms to protect our families. I strongly support this bill. HB692: I strongly support this bill. HB696: Similar to HB691, I should be able to use the rest areas that my taxes help to pay for while peacefully exercising my right to bear arms in self defense. Lawful firearm owners are no danger to the other guests of these rest stops or government run stores. Criminals looking for easy targets will happily violate the law as it stands now to go armed in these areas knowing that their victims are disarmed. I strongly support this bill. HB702: Programs like the one that this bill are mainly used by family members to destroy heirloom firearms that are no longer wanted and in many cases rare or historic firearms are permanently destroyed with no option for museums, historians or collectors to rescue them. I OPPOSE this bill as it is written here and would prefer to see a program where the public is allowed access to purchase any abandoned firearms at fair market value before they are destroyed.
HB101, Del. Ballard, this would be helpful and accessible to people with mobility impairments and stalking victims who fear leaving home HB106, Del. Ballard - this would make CHPs more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas. HB540, Del. Hamilton - this will help victims of domestic violence far more HB623, Del. Cherry, - return of confiscated weapons should be automatic, but since it is not, this is the next best thing HB691, Del. Zehr, - courts have already ruled that laws restricting firearms in these areas are unconstitutional HB692, Del. Zehr, - this will help those whose budgets are already tight and is consistent with the reduction in charges based on court rulings that UBCs are unconstitutional for 18-21 year olds. HB696, Del. Zehr - stalkers only need to follow us into places where we cannot carry to complete their crimes. Let's reduce the availability of defense free zones HB702, Del. Cole, J., - this is an expensive program that lacks justification. There are services to dispose of unwanted firearms already, we don't need more government to achieve this.
I support VCDL’s position on this legislation.
Please reject HB702. What I object to most about this bill is its use of the term "give-back." Virginians did not receive their guns from the government, so giving guns to the government is not giving them "back." Second, the bill should not require that guns be destroyed; otherwise, valuable antique firearms which would not have been used in crime may be needlessly destroyed. Any program to allow people to dispose of firearms should not be funded at taxpayer expense and should require that firearms be sold at auction.
I am writing in support of HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696 and in opposition to HB702. Any bills returning us to the simple verbiage in the Constitution stating "shall not be infringed" is a bill that any representative should be happy to sign. HB702 is a nonsensical bill and unnecessary bill . Anyone no longer wishing to possess a firearm can very easily sell it to an FFL for compensation or destruction if it is beyond repair.
As a retired US Army Warrant Officer and avid gun enthusiast, I agree with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed! This is a punishment to law abiding Virginians.
I agree with the VCDL positions regarding the above bills.
The attachment lays out reasoning and comments the committee should consider when reviewing House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and 702.
I agree with VCDL. No infringement on my Constitutional Rights.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
This is a waste of the tax payers money. If someone has an unwanted firearm they can go to a gun shop and sell it to them instead of turning it in to be destroyed. What would be the cost to us taxpayers? This is ridiculous!!
So called buy back programs have always proven to be a significant waste of tax payer money and have done nothing to remove fully functional firearms from circulation. This would be better served by informing citizens that they can simply sell unwanted firearms to FFLs and as for non-functional firearms they should contact local law enforcement who can evaluate the firearm and take it for disposal. There is no reason to waste tax payer money buying firearms from citizens.
We stand with VCDL
aprrove hb 101 reduces time and government employee's time saving money approve hb106 it doesn't cost $50 in labor to renew a permit approve hb 540 women need to be able to protect themselves against dangerous males approve hb 623 a firearm should be returned to the original owner after someone used it illegally approve hb 696 rest stops are very dangerous areas for criminals to attack people oppose 702 firearms should be sold to a legitimate FFL Dealer not destroyed. The money could be put into the general fund
Dear Chairman Clark and Members of the sub-committee, I am strongly opposed to any bill that restricts the constitutional rights of Virginians to own, purchase, carry or use firearms responsibly. This is an inherent right which can NOT be negated by the General Assembly. So called "Common Sense" gun regulations do nothing but infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens. Please redirect your efforts on becoming tough on violent crime, removing illegal aliens from the Commonwealth, and lowering taxes for hard working Virginians. I support HB 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and am opposed to HB 702. Thank you for your time regarding this matter.
Please support these bills. As a Democrat and gun owner, we need to support common sense gun legislation that protects the rights of lawful gun owners and those seeking to purchase firearms for self-defense reasons. My girlfriend used a handgun to protect herself against a forced entry into her apartment. Without that firearm, which she did not fire, there is no telling what could have happened. Please support these bills - search your conscience.
I support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696. I oppose HB702.
I agree with the VCDL on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed!
Chairman Clark and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the several firearms-related bills scheduled for consideration on January 22nd. I submit this comment in strong opposition to any legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Virginians, including but not limited to HB540, HB691, HB696, and any bill that imposes new fees, new barriers, or expanded discretion over the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment is not a conditional privilege granted by the state — it is a pre-existing individual right that government is obligated to protect, not chip away at. This is not a matter of personal opinion; it is the settled law of the United States, reaffirmed in Heller (2008), McDonald (2010), and Bruen (2022). Under Bruen, any modern firearms restriction must align with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. None of the proposals in these bills satisfy that standard. On fee increases and permit limitations (HB101, HB106, HB692) Attempting to raise fees or add administrative hurdles to the concealed handgun permit process places a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right. Fundamental rights cannot be conditioned on a citizen’s ability to pay a government-imposed fee. That principle is well established across multiple Supreme Court rulings dealing with constitutional freedoms. On expanding local authority to restrict firearms (HB691) Allowing localities to create their own firearm restrictions guarantees inconsistency, confusion, and unequal treatment of Virginians depending on which side of a city line they stand. State-level preemption exists for a reason: constitutional rights should not be fragmented or subject to a patchwork of differing local rules. This approach is not compatible with constitutional uniformity. On forfeiture, reclassification, and new criminal penalties (HB523, HB696) These proposals do not target criminal behavior; they target lawful Virginians. Violent crime is already committed overwhelmingly by individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms. Adding new categories of liability or expanding restricted locations has no historical foundation and only burdens citizens who already comply with the law. On the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund (HB720) While labeled as voluntary, state-funded “give-back” programs have repeatedly been shown nationwide to provide no measurable improvement in public safety. They serve only symbolic purposes while reinforcing the misguided narrative that lawful gun ownership is inherently problematic. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund ineffective strategies with no empirical foundation. I respectfully urge the Subcommittee to reject any bill that infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Virginians to own, carry, and responsibly use firearms. Public safety is not achieved by restricting the liberties of responsible citizens. It is achieved by enforcing existing laws against those who commit violent acts and by upholding the constitutional protections that every Virginian is entitled to. Thank you for your time and your attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Patrick McCormick Citizen, Commonwealth of Virginia
I strongly support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, HB696 and I respectfully request the members to Support these bills on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. I am strongly opposed to HB702 I and respectfully request that Members oppose this bill on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. Furthermore, I fully support the comments by VCDL- Virginia Citizens Defense League's on these proposed bills. Thank you, Chris McDorman
To the Honorable Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing to you today to express my stance on several bills currently under review by this esteemed body. On Behalf of the People of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I agree with the Citizens Defense League on all these matters. And specifically, I disagree with HB 702. Not only is HB 702 a disgusting way to damage the environment with more trash, and encourages it, but the funds of the program are not correctly distributed back to where those taxes originally went. It also implies that the government gave me a product they did not and it's my responsibility to return it. Which is an inappropriate depiction of the government and certainly overreach. Thank You for reviewing my statement. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. These bills seem to only be targeting law abding citizens, which i do not agree with nor believe Virginia resident's will be better off for. Laws such as these will actually make Virginians less safe.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. They are government over reach. All gun laws are infringements on the second amendment. The bills give criminals an upper hand because they don’t follow laws.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill and VA should follow the 2nd Amendment and what is being established at the Federal Govt level.
I support the position of VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL on these bills. Recognizing and expanding the rights of peaceful carry and ownership of all sorts of firearms is an essential part of guaranteeing freedoms for all VA citizens.
I respectfully urge you to vote NO on House Bill 702 (HB 702), the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund during the 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly. HB 702 would create a statewide “gun give-back” program that directs the Virginia State Police to serve as a permanent drop-off point for firearms surrendered by private citizens and requires those firearms to be destroyed by the Department. It also establishes a special fund to pay for the costs of administering the program and allows for confidential reporting on surrendered firearms. Participation by local law-enforcement agencies is technically “voluntary,” but the bill creates infrastructure that could encourage widespread surrender and destruction of firearms. While the bill is framed as a “voluntary” program, it raises serious concerns about its impact on the rights of law-abiding gun owners and the direction of firearms policy in Virginia: 1. Prematurely Encourages Surrender and Destruction of Lawfully Owned Firearms HB 702 sets up a program that could incentivize surrender and destruction of firearms — even those lawfully owned — without sufficient justification or safeguards to protect property rights. Voluntary programs that funnel guns toward destruction risk creating social pressure and stigma rather than addressing criminal misuse. 2. Establishes a New Government Fund Without Clear Accountability The bill creates a non-reverting “Virginia Firearm Give-Back Fund” to support the program. Money in this fund remains indefinitely and may be used in ways that advance firearms confiscation efforts rather than focusing on public safety outcomes supported by data. 3. Potential Slippery Slope for Future Mandatory Programs Even though participation by local law enforcement is labeled as voluntary, establishing a statewide structure for firearm surrender could lay the groundwork for future pressure or mandates toward buy-back or confiscation programs that do not respect individual rights. 4. Questionable Impact on Violent Crime There is little evidence that broad firearms surrender programs — especially voluntary ones — have a meaningful impact on violent crime rates. Laws and policies should instead focus on targeting criminal behavior and ensuring enforcement of existing statutes. Given these concerns about property rights, civil liberties, and the lack of clear evidence that such a program would improve public safety, I urge you to vote NO on HB 702.
I support this bill as the data and evidence show that it will reduce harm and deaths from guns. Taking this measure will ensure that guns are used responsibly and only for the intended consequences. Owning a gun is a serious responsibility and measures like this must be put into action as currently they are being misused and causing an epidemic in this country. Guns are the #1 killer of children and teens in the United States. When the impact of an item causes so much harm, measures must be put into place to protect people, especially children.
I support the following bills because guns are the number one cause of death for children in our commonwealth and our nation. HB 110 will help reduce the number of gun thefts from cars, and these thefts are on the rise. Additionally, we need to close the boyfriend loophole from domestic violence offenders (HB19).
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. Whether it is Republicans or Democrats it seems our rights are being pinched away, piece by piece. I ask our representatives and Governor to use "common sense" and not pass these blatant violations to our guaranteed constitutional right. You representatives cannot simply pick and choose which constitutional amendments apply to citizens or we may as well not have a constitution at all.
HB101 - Concealed handguns; alternate methods of submission of applications for permits.
I stand with VCDL.
I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.
No new firearms laws will lower gun violence rates. Begin enforcing the existing laws and stop letting violent offenders off the hook. All of the firearms related bills being presented fly directly in the face of the 2nd amendment. Making guns harder to come by for law abiding citizens does not stop criminals from getting them. They don’t obey the law anyway! If you pass these bills it will be a direct statement that you do not care about the rights of Virginia residents and only seek to disarm all citizens. The second amendment is quite clear, “shall not be infringed”, stop infringing on our rights given to us by our creator God almighty. Please, truly think about what you are voting for. I think you will realize that the majority of Virginians do not want these new gun laws and that they will be ineffective at achieving your intended goals. Whether that be a sincere attempt to lower gun violence or an overt attempt to disarm law abiding American citizens. Thank you for the time you dedicate to serving our great commonwealth and for taking the time to read this comment.
I agree with VCDL on all these bills.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL stance on these bills.
I agree with the VCDL.
I support House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, and 696. The 2nd amendment is a neccessary to prevent any government infringement on our liberties. It is particularly neccessary in the time that we are currently living through. With the current civil unrest throughout the country we should encourage more gun ownership and carrying of firearms. The Virginia Constitution in Article I Section 3 states that "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed...". I believe these laws lessen the infringements on the rights that so many Virginians died for. I strong oppose House Bill 702. I oppose the give-back program for two reasons. Firstly, I believe destroying these firearms will lead to the destruction of historical firearms. This has occured in many other states. It would be preferable to have them stored or resold. I also worry about the financial costs that a bill like this would have. The labor costs and cost of destruction could be better allocated in our schools, roads, or VIrginia State Police.
HB101: This allows for modern electronic methods of applying for concealed handgun permits. I strongly support this bill. HB106: The monetary burden for exercising your right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. I strongly support this bill. HB540: I strongly support this bill. HB623: There should always be a clearly defined route for having seized property of any kind returned. I strongly support this bill. HB691: Citizens should not have to choose between exercising their Constitutionally protected rights or enjoying the parks and other public facilities in their area - especially those of us that are parents and choose to bear arms to protect our families. I strongly support this bill. HB692: I strongly support this bill. HB696: Similar to HB691, I should be able to use the rest areas that my taxes help to pay for while peacefully exercising my right to bear arms in self defense. Lawful firearm owners are no danger to the other guests of these rest stops or government run stores. Criminals looking for easy targets will happily violate the law as it stands now to go armed in these areas knowing that their victims are disarmed. I strongly support this bill. HB702: Programs like the one that this bill are mainly used by family members to destroy heirloom firearms that are no longer wanted and in many cases rare or historic firearms are permanently destroyed with no option for museums, historians or collectors to rescue them. I OPPOSE this bill as it is written here and would prefer to see a program where the public is allowed access to purchase any abandoned firearms at fair market value before they are destroyed.
I am in favor of HB101,HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB 696. I am against HB702 and any type of buy back program
HB101, Del. Ballard, this would be helpful and accessible to people with mobility impairments and stalking victims who fear leaving home HB106, Del. Ballard - this would make CHPs more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas. HB540, Del. Hamilton - this will help victims of domestic violence far more HB623, Del. Cherry, - return of confiscated weapons should be automatic, but since it is not, this is the next best thing HB691, Del. Zehr, - courts have already ruled that laws restricting firearms in these areas are unconstitutional HB692, Del. Zehr, - this will help those whose budgets are already tight and is consistent with the reduction in charges based on court rulings that UBCs are unconstitutional for 18-21 year olds. HB696, Del. Zehr - stalkers only need to follow us into places where we cannot carry to complete their crimes. Let's reduce the availability of defense free zones HB702, Del. Cole, J., - this is an expensive program that lacks justification. There are services to dispose of unwanted firearms already, we don't need more government to achieve this.
There is no reason to require physical CHP applications in 2026. Allowing electronic submissions would reduce Virginia’s expenses and free up time for the clerks to work on important business. It benefits Virginia and its citizens.
I support VCDL’s position on this legislation.
Allowing concealed handgun permits to be submitted electronically is common sense. It will save time and money for citizens and busy circuit courts clerks without affecting who is eligible to receive a permit.
I am writing in support of HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696 and in opposition to HB702. Any bills returning us to the simple verbiage in the Constitution stating "shall not be infringed" is a bill that any representative should be happy to sign. HB702 is a nonsensical bill and unnecessary bill . Anyone no longer wishing to possess a firearm can very easily sell it to an FFL for compensation or destruction if it is beyond repair.
As a retired US Army Warrant Officer and avid gun enthusiast, I agree with the Virginia Citizens Defense League on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed! This is a punishment to law abiding Virginians.
I agree with the VCDL positions regarding the above bills.
The attachment lays out reasoning and comments the committee should consider when reviewing House Bills 101, 106, 540, 623, 691, 692, 696 and 702.
I agree with VCDL. No infringement on my Constitutional Rights.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill.
I stand with VCDL on these bills, they are common sense and do no harm to law abiding gun owners.
We stand with VCDL
aprrove hb 101 reduces time and government employee's time saving money approve hb106 it doesn't cost $50 in labor to renew a permit approve hb 540 women need to be able to protect themselves against dangerous males approve hb 623 a firearm should be returned to the original owner after someone used it illegally approve hb 696 rest stops are very dangerous areas for criminals to attack people oppose 702 firearms should be sold to a legitimate FFL Dealer not destroyed. The money could be put into the general fund
Please support these bills. As a Democrat and gun owner, we need to support common sense gun legislation that protects the rights of lawful gun owners and those seeking to purchase firearms for self-defense reasons. My girlfriend used a handgun to protect herself against a forced entry into her apartment. Without that firearm, which she did not fire, there is no telling what could have happened. Please support these bills - search your conscience.
I support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, and HB696. I oppose HB702.
I agree with the VCDL on these bills. Any infringement to our second amendment rights is unconstitutional and can not be allowed!
Chairman Clark and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the several firearms-related bills scheduled for consideration on January 22nd. I submit this comment in strong opposition to any legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Virginians, including but not limited to HB540, HB691, HB696, and any bill that imposes new fees, new barriers, or expanded discretion over the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment is not a conditional privilege granted by the state — it is a pre-existing individual right that government is obligated to protect, not chip away at. This is not a matter of personal opinion; it is the settled law of the United States, reaffirmed in Heller (2008), McDonald (2010), and Bruen (2022). Under Bruen, any modern firearms restriction must align with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. None of the proposals in these bills satisfy that standard. On fee increases and permit limitations (HB101, HB106, HB692) Attempting to raise fees or add administrative hurdles to the concealed handgun permit process places a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right. Fundamental rights cannot be conditioned on a citizen’s ability to pay a government-imposed fee. That principle is well established across multiple Supreme Court rulings dealing with constitutional freedoms. On expanding local authority to restrict firearms (HB691) Allowing localities to create their own firearm restrictions guarantees inconsistency, confusion, and unequal treatment of Virginians depending on which side of a city line they stand. State-level preemption exists for a reason: constitutional rights should not be fragmented or subject to a patchwork of differing local rules. This approach is not compatible with constitutional uniformity. On forfeiture, reclassification, and new criminal penalties (HB523, HB696) These proposals do not target criminal behavior; they target lawful Virginians. Violent crime is already committed overwhelmingly by individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms. Adding new categories of liability or expanding restricted locations has no historical foundation and only burdens citizens who already comply with the law. On the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund (HB720) While labeled as voluntary, state-funded “give-back” programs have repeatedly been shown nationwide to provide no measurable improvement in public safety. They serve only symbolic purposes while reinforcing the misguided narrative that lawful gun ownership is inherently problematic. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund ineffective strategies with no empirical foundation. I respectfully urge the Subcommittee to reject any bill that infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Virginians to own, carry, and responsibly use firearms. Public safety is not achieved by restricting the liberties of responsible citizens. It is achieved by enforcing existing laws against those who commit violent acts and by upholding the constitutional protections that every Virginian is entitled to. Thank you for your time and your attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Patrick McCormick Citizen, Commonwealth of Virginia
I support both HB101 and HB106. It's time to cut through some of the red tape that interferes with exercising our constitutionally protected rights.
I strongly support HB101, HB106, HB540, HB623, HB691, HB692, HB696 and I respectfully request the members to Support these bills on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. I am strongly opposed to HB702 I and respectfully request that Members oppose this bill on behalf of the Citizens of Virginia. Furthermore, I fully support the comments by VCDL- Virginia Citizens Defense League's on these proposed bills. Thank you, Chris McDorman
To the Honorable Members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am writing to you today to express my stance on several bills currently under review by this esteemed body. On Behalf of the People of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I agree with the Citizens Defense League on all these matters. And specifically, I disagree with HB 702. Not only is HB 702 a disgusting way to damage the environment with more trash, and encourages it, but the funds of the program are not correctly distributed back to where those taxes originally went. It also implies that the government gave me a product they did not and it's my responsibility to return it. Which is an inappropriate depiction of the government and certainly overreach. Thank You for reviewing my statement. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia
These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills. These proposed bills are clear and direct violations of our 2nd Amendment Constitutional right. Virginia has been an upstanding example of bi-partisan gun ownership since its birth as a Commonwealth. At a time when many other constitutional rights are being directly challenged by the Federal Government, with little resistance from the Supreme Court & Congress, it is extremely ignorant and out of touch for Virginia representatives to even consider passing these unconstitutional bills.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. These bills seem to only be targeting law abding citizens, which i do not agree with nor believe Virginia resident's will be better off for. Laws such as these will actually make Virginians less safe.
I agree with the VCDLs views on these bills. They are government over reach. All gun laws are infringements on the second amendment. The bills give criminals an upper hand because they don’t follow laws.
I agree with the VCDL on this bill and VA should follow the 2nd Amendment and what is being established at the Federal Govt level.
I support the position of VCDL on this bill.
I support the VCDL on these bills. Recognizing and expanding the rights of peaceful carry and ownership of all sorts of firearms is an essential part of guaranteeing freedoms for all VA citizens.
Hello, I wanted to express my support for both HB101 and HB106. As a left-of-center gun owner I believe these will make safe and legal access to firearms for self defense more equitable. I would also like to call to attention HB217 and HB207. I urge you to vote against these bills. Many of the features used to define an "assault weapon" are ultimately leveraged by people with physical disabilities or ailments. For someone with joint issues a muzzle brake, vertical foregrip, and a pistol grip can significantly reduce pain experienced when using a rifle. Standard capacity (i.e. 30-round) magazines for rifles are critical for people who have lost the use of an arm or hand due to injury or a variety of ailments. I strongly urge you to reconsider these features as accessibility aids and vote no on HB217. Guns used in training and competition can typically produce up to 160 decibels when fired, well above the 90 decibel threshold for hearing loss. The most effective method to prevent hearing loss for people who regularly use or are around firearms is a layered approach include ear plugs, ear muffs, and a suppressor. A $500 tax on suppressors will have minimal impact on crime as they are vary rarely used in crimes, but it would reduce access to this hearing protection technology for individuals in critical professions such as education that live paycheck to paycheck. Why should hearing protection be made less available to these groups? Thank you for taking the time to review these comments, as these matters are critical to both myself and my community of left-of-center competitive shooters. Regards, Kyle Gervais
HB101 - This bill brings our CHP process into the 21st century and will help make our local courthouses more efficient and paperless
As a representative of r/VAGuns, a popular online community of Virginia gun owners on the social media platform Reddit, we fully and unanimously DO NOT support this bill and others like it that blatantly violate Second Amendment rights with disregard for tradition or case law. These bills DO NOT represent practical, balanced measures that help safeguard our community, and r/VAGuns does NOT back these efforts to infringe on the rights of Virginians.
I agree with the position of VCDL, this bill will allow limiting administrative traffic in courts building.
I am writing to oppose this legislation as a proud Virginia resident. This legislation will have no effect on public safety and will only provide an undue burden on the law abiding residents of Virginia. Other states have tried these methods and have shown no drastic reduction in gun violence. Instead, this merely prevents law abiding Virginians from fully exercising their constitutional rights. And it is clearly a constitutional right of both our nation and the state. It is the only amendment where “shall not be infringed” is expressly stated. Under the recent New York vs Bruen decision, there must be historical precedent for it to be constitutional of which there is none especially none that are not based in racist ideologies. I urge my delegates to vote no on this legislation and will be allocating my vote accordingly.
As a representative of r/VAGuns, a popular online community of Virginia gun owners on the social media platform Reddit, we fully and unanimously endorse this bill and others like it that promote common-sense gun laws. Our community stands united in support of the recent legislation being passed in the General Assembly, which aims to protect and strengthen our neighborhoods while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners. These bills represent practical, balanced measures that help safeguard our community, and r/VAGuns proudly backs these efforts to promote safety and responsibility across Virginia.
Simply unconstitutional. Only a tyrant would agree with this. A waste of time and money for no benefit.
HB101 subsidizes the NRA and it allows someone who knows nothing about handguns to obtain a carry permit and still not know anything about handguns by completing one of the following: 1. A hunter education course which does not teach participates to operate or shoot a handgun; 2. An AR-15 Fundamentals course; 4. A rifle course or class conducted by an individual who is not a certified firearms instructor; 5. A course or class with unknown content and conducted by an out-of-state instructor with unknown credentials; 6. Participation in a shotgun shooting match: These problems must be solved by introducing a substitute bill that will replace the subparagraphs of §§ 18.2-308.02(B) and 18.2-308.06(B) with the following. 1. Completing any National African American Gun Association, United States Concealed Carry Association, or National Rifle Association handgun shooting class or course that teaches the efficient, effective, and responsible use of a concealed handgun for self-defense outside the home and the applicable Virginia Law; 2. Completing any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement; 3. Obtaining or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause; 4. Completing any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties; 5. Completing any firearms training that any court in the Commonwealth of Virginia or the Virginia Department of State Police deems adequate. If names of organizations cannot be included the subparagraph 1 above can be changed to: 1. Completing handgun shooting class or course that teaches the efficient, effective, and responsible use of a concealed handgun for self-defense outside the home and the applicable Virginia Law;
Wonderful changes. Makes access to a CCW permit lower cost and easier to obtain. Next step, permit less carry
I am here to respectfully support HB101. HB101 is a reasonable, commonsense bill that modernizes the concealed handgun permit application process by allowing alternate methods of submission. This does not weaken background checks, lower standards, or change eligibility requirements. It simply improves access, efficiency, and fairness in how law-abiding Virginians interact with the permitting system. Many residents face unnecessary barriers under the current system—limited office hours, long travel distances, appointment backlogs, or work and family obligations that make in-person submission difficult. These obstacles do not enhance public safety; they only delay or discourage compliance with the law. HB101 maintains all existing safeguards while allowing localities to process applications in ways that better reflect modern technology and the realities of people’s lives. Making lawful compliance easier strengthens respect for the law and improves administrative efficiency for local governments. This bill is not about expanding carry rights beyond current law. It is about ensuring that law-abiding citizens can exercise existing rights without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
I am glad to see the CHP application process getting attention. Having just gone through the process in fairfax county, there is no reason why the entire process can't be accomplished through an online portal. As is, the process is exceptionally annoying. The complete set of instructions for applying via mail cannot be found online. Some of the relevant information can be found across multiple webpages on the fairfax district court and Virginia state police websites, but other information such as the application fee and the knowledge that the court only accepts payment via cashier's check, can only be obtained by calling them in person. Applying by mail proved frustration enough that I just drove to the courthouse to renew my application in person, but many Virginians do not have a work schedule to spend 3 hours at the fairfax district court in the middle of a work day.
While not a particularly visible group, home gunsmithing has been a time honored tradition in this country and specifically Virginia since before the ratification of the constitution. In an attempt to prevent the use of 3d printed handguns in crimes (something that is already illegal many times over by the way, which might prompt you to ask why you'd expect making it even more illegal to have any effect on its occurrence) you are criminalizing thousands of otherwise law abiding Virginian hobbyists, many of whom produce firearms that require a great deal of skill to craft and that are wholly different from anything that has ever turned up at a crime. This bill is also poorly written as it fails to consider that firearms were even not federally required to have a serial number before 1968, and as such outlaws the possession of an untold number of antique firearms and will turn countless Virginians into felons, likely without them even realizing it. Additionally, the idea of an entirely plastic firearm that is invisible to a metal detector seems to have first been popularized (to the best of my knowledge) by the Diehard movies, which repeatedly refer to a glock made out of porcelain. No glocks have ever been made out of porcelain, this is not a thing and I have no idea where they got that from. In real life, people *have* successfully produced single shot, essentially single use handguns made entirely from plastic, but these have generally been wildly impractical, borderline dangerous devices that can't withstand more than a couple shots. They are also extremely uncommon and largely separate from the firearms being used to commit crimes, and I'm unaware of one having ever been actually used in connection to a crime
Go fuck yourself heimer, you should be deported to Israel or New Jersey. Just get the fuck out of this state. Appreciate it.