Posted: 2/19/2007 3:25:17 PM EDT
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Well it looks like a bad legislative year for gun owners so far. It appears that all of the hope for such landmark legislation as "Castle Doctrine", recognition of all state CCW licenses, authorization of State Police Supertinendent to sign off on Class 3 purchases, etc were defeated in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee. We pretty much have these 3 to thank for the defeats; Stolle, Norment, and Blevins. I am especially bitter towards Senator Stolle (R) (Virginia Beach area) and who is (I believe) the chairman of this committee. I don't live in Virginia Beach, but I would contribute heavily to a staunchly pro-gun opponent during the next election regardless of party. As of 5:20 PM today, the following gun bills were heard in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee's afternoon meeting: HB 2235, Delegate Nutter's bill to recognize all out-of-state permits, was initially heard after lunch, some testimony given both for and against (State Police gave the only 'against' testimony - they are not our friends on this issue), and then the bill was deferred until more members of the committee were present. About 30 minutes later, the bill was reheard. Senator Stolle lead the charge AGAINST the bill. The bill was DEFEATED by 9 to 6 :-( Besides Senator Stolle, other 'pro-gun' Senators that should have voted for this bill, but turned their backs on gun owners were Blevins, Norment, and Quayle. Those standing with gun owners were: Senators Reynolds, Edwards, Rerras, Cuccinelli, McDougle, and Obenshain. HB 3108, Delegate Janis' bill that prevents inquiry of a minor or mentally incompetent person, about execution of constitutionally protected rights - such as about firearms was DEFEATED for lack of a second. HB 2588, Delegate Janis' bill that would require the State Police to sign-off on a ATF Form 4 (for machine guns, suppressors, etc.) unless the State Police know of a reason that the gun owner should be denied, was DEFEATED 9 to 6, with the same BAD votes - Senators Stolle, Blevins, Norment, and Quayle. Yet again, Senator Stolle led the charge against this good bill. Stolle seems to love 'discretion' over 'authority' whenever dealing with law enforcement. Those standing with gun owners were: Senators Reynolds, Edwards, Rerras, Cuccinelli, McDougle, and Obenshain. HB 3109, Delegate Janis' bill that allows discharge of a firearm within one-half mile of a subdivision as long as the shooter does not endanger anyone or anything in that subdivision, PASSED by 9 to 6. Once again, Senator Blevins voted WRONG on your gun rights. HB 1626, Senator Janis' Castle Doctrine bill that protects a home owner against civil litigation if the homeowner has use force against an intruder, was amended to remove language that required an overt act towards the home owner. The Commonwealth Attorney's lobbyist (Commonwealth's Attorneys have NOTHING to do with CIVIL litigation) spoke against the bill! The bill was DEFEATED 10 to 5, with Senators Stolle, Norment, and Blevins (YET AGAIN) voting wrong. Next update will be later tonight - the only bill left is Delegate Jim Scott's anti-gun bill HB 2998, which disarms a person for life for the loss of parental rights (a civil action). |