Let\u2019s take a look at HB567 and HB318.<\/p>\n
HB567 wants to ensure gun ranges are government-owned.<\/strong><\/p>\n In a blow not only to gun owners but also to small business owners, HB567 would outlaw many indoor gun ranges that are not owned by the state government. What\u2019s more, the private ranges allowed would have to cater to law enforcement as their primary clientele. And they\u2019re not done yet \u2013 the gun ranges would serve as data-collection points.<\/p>\n As used in this section, \u201cindoor shooting range\u201d means any fully enclosed or indoor area or facility designed for the use of rifles, shotguns, pistols, silhouettes, skeet, trap, or black powder or any other similar sport shooting.<\/i><\/p>\n B. It is\u00a0unlawful to operate an indoor shooting range in any building not owned or leased by the Commonwealth or the federal government<\/strong>\u00a0unless (i)\u00a0fewer than 50 employees work in the building<\/strong>\u00a0or (ii) (a)\u00a0at least 90 percent of the users of the indoor shooting range are law-enforcement officers<\/strong>, as defined in \u00a7\u00a09.1-101<\/a>, or federal law-enforcement officers, (b) the indoor shooting range\u00a0maintains a log of each user\u2019s name, phone number, address, and the law-enforcement agency where such user is employed<\/strong>, and (c) the indoor shooting range\u00a0verifies each user\u2019s identity and address by requiring all users to present a government-issued photo-identification card<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/i>(source<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n So very small indoor gun ranges might be able to continue to operate (for now) but the large, high-quality ranges that also serve as instruction facilities or have attached gun stores could have too many employees to continue to operate if the new bill becomes a law.<\/p>\n It\u2019s interesting that the state government claims to want to make the state safer, but at the same time, they want to close facilities where gun-owners hone their skills, accuracy, education, and safe usage of firearms.<\/p>\n The penalties for breaking this law would be civil, with a fine of up to $100,000 on the first infraction and an additional $5000 per day if the defiance continues.<\/p>\n HB318 would create ammunition-free zones.<\/strong><\/p>\n Making about as much sense as the law that caused the original hullaballoo \u2013 the one that would ban weapons that \u201ccould\u201d possess extended magazines, even if the owner has no such magazines \u2013 HB318 would send anyone in the possession of ammunition to prison for a currently-undetermined amount of time.<\/p>\n I suppose they\u2019re concerned that someone might have ammo in a gun-free zone and throw it really hard, causing a mass casualty incident? This would-be law encompasses more than ammunition. It also includes the possession of stun weapons and knives with metal blades.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the text of the bill, again, emphasis mine.<\/p>\n A. If any person knowingly possesses any\u00a0(i) stun weapon as defined in this section; (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches; B. If any person knowingly possesses any firearm designed or intended to expel a projectile by action of an explosion of a combustible material while such person is upon (i) any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds;<\/strong>\u00a0(ii) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular activities while such functions or activities are taking place; or (iii) any school bus owned or operated by any such school,\u00a0he is guilty of a Class 6 felony.\u00a0<\/strong>(source<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n There are a few exemptions that would allow\u00a0law enforcement officers, former law enforcement officers<\/a>, and\u00a0concealed carry permit holders or those who use knives with metal blades<\/a>\u00a0in their trades, to have their unloaded weapons locked securely in their trunk while they are in traffic circles and parking lots. However, a regular person who happens to have an extra cartridge floating around the bottom of her purse (who doesn\u2019t?) could potentially become a felon if tried by some over-zealous, anti-2A prosecutor.<\/p>\n Those exceptions would exist initially but at the rate new laws are being proposed, I wouldn\u2019t count on the exceptions on a long-term basis.<\/p>\n Coincidentally, Governor Northam has increased his detention budget.<\/strong><\/p>\n You probably recall a\u00a0member of the state congress\u2019s threats about dispatching the National Guard to confiscate weapons<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Virginia Attorney General\u2019s opinion that sanctuary municipalities have no legal weight.<\/a><\/p>\n But that\u2019s not all. Governor Northam is going to be specifically funding gun control efforts with an additional quarter of a million dollars in the newly proposed state budget.<\/p>\n Included in the appropriation for this Item is $250,000 the first year from the general fund for the estimated net increase in the operating cost of adult correctional facilities resulting from the enactment of sentencing legislation as listed below. This amount shall be paid into the Corrections Special Reserve Fund, established pursuant to \u00a7 30-19.1:4, Code of Virginia.<\/p>\n 1. Allow the removal of firearms from persons who pose substantial risk to themselves or others \u2014 $50,000<\/p>\n 2. Prohibit the sale, possession, and transport of assault firearms, trigger activators, and silencers \u2014 $50,000<\/p>\n 3. Increase the penalty for allowing a child to access unsecured firearms \u2014 $50,000<\/p>\n 4. Prohibit possession of firearms for persons subject to final orders of protection \u2014 $50,000<\/p>\n 5. Require background checks for all firearms sales \u2014 $50,000. (source<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n So for those who say, \u201cNobody is trying to take your guns\u201d the evidence in these proposals clearly disputes this opinion.<\/p>\n 91% of the state is staunchly defiant.<\/strong><\/p>\n Virginians have been defiant in the face of these attacks on the Second Amendment,\u00a0with Tazewell County going as far as creating an official militia<\/a>\u00a0and the sheriff of Culpeper County\u00a0vowing to deputize thousands of citizens<\/a>\u00a0to protect their rights.<\/p>\n Practically the entire state has vowed to protect the rights of gun owners and the movement is still growing, as shown by the map below.<\/p>\n A recent job listing for\u00a0disarmament officers at the United Nations New York office<\/a>\u00a0has many concerned that confiscation efforts could go beyond calling up a National Guard that may be less than enthusiastic about taking away the rights of their friends, family members, and neighbors.<\/p>\n The votes on these gun control bills and budget appropriations will be held in the first couple of months of 2020.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is going to be an exciting couple of months,\u201d Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said Monday. (source<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It certainly is, Governor Northam.<\/p>\n\u00a0or<\/s>\u00a0(iii) weapon, including a weapon of like kind, designated in subsection A of \u00a7\u00a018.2-308<\/a>, other than a firearm;<\/strong>\u00a0or (iv) ammunition for a firearm<\/strong>, as defined in \u00a7\u00a018.2-308.2<\/a>,<\/i>\u00a0upon (a) the property of any public, private,<\/i>\u00a0or religious elementary, middle,<\/i>\u00a0or high school, including buildings and grounds; (b) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular activities while such functions or activities are taking place; or (c) any school bus owned or operated by any such school, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/lrc-cdn\/assets\/2020\/01\/Virginia-County-Map20200106-620x279.png\")
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