VSSA Junior Marksman Jessica Kelley Wins First Place JROTC Service Championship at Camp Perry, Ohio.

On Feb. 20, 2016 Jessica Kelley a Jr. High Power shooter with VSSA, won 1st place for her Precision Air Rifle JROTC Air Force team out of Stafford, Va. The CMP JROTC Service Match is a 3x20 consisting of two days of shooting at Camp Perry, OH (North East Region). She began by scoring a perfect 200-17X in prone and nearly did it again on the second day with a 199- 15 X. She went on to win first place for the Air Force JROTC after completing in the ten shot final round against five Franklin County, VA finalists with an overall score of 1251.4. She will now move on and compete in the CMP JROTC National Matches held at Anniston, AL. There she will compete against 85 other precision shooters representing the best marksman from every JROTC Branch including the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. The competition will occur on Mar. 18 &19, 2016.

Jessica began marksmanship training in 2012 during her freshman year of high school after joining the Jr. Shooters team at American Legion Post 290 in Stafford, Va. She began using a sporter air rifle and was coached by Capt. Nick Roberge (USMC Ret) and Don Cavender of the FBI. She enjoyed marksmanship and soon began expanding her skillset by including High Power after joining the VJMP (Virginia Jr. Marksmanship Program) team sponsored by VSSA and coached by Maj. Mike Darnell (USMC Ret) and Bill Mckaig (Army Ret). She then further expanded her marksmanship capabilities by joining the Mavericks, a precision shooting team, coached by Tom Pike at the IWLA Arlington/Fairfax Chapter (a VSSA affiliated club). This strong foundation of marksmanship and great coaching helped Jessica greatly improve her skills as evidenced by her being invited by USA Shooting to attend the National Jr. Olympics at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this spring.

Jessica is a senior at North Stafford High School. She has applied to the United States Coast Guard Academy and hopes to shoot on their rifle team with Coach Richard Hawkins .

Concealed Carry Bill Signed into Law

From Delegate Michael Webert:

Delegate Michael Webert (R-18 District) is excited to announce that his legislation, House Bill 1163 has been signed into law by Governor Terry McAuliffe. HB1163 facilitates the reciprocity of concealed carry agreements by ensuring that an individual who is 21 years of age, and possesses a valid concealed carry permit from any state is allowed to carry a concealed firearm in Virginia. The bill requires the State Police Superintendent to enter into reciprocal arrangements with states that require the mutual recognition of concealed carry permits within 60 days of it’s enactment. The legislation also prohibits the recognition of an out of state permit if an individual’s Virginia permit has been revoked.

Delegate Webert’s proposal is one of three that comprised a bipartisan deal that was reached almost a month ago. Speaking to the Governor’s signature, the Delegate said, “I’m thrilled to see my bipartisan, pro-gun bill has been signed by Governor McAuliffe. HB1163 garnered support not only from across the political spectrum, but also from the law enforcement community with the Southern States Police Benevolent Association throwing their weight behind this measure.”

“Holders of concealed carry permits are some of the most responsible, and law-abiding citizens in this country. It’s fantastic to see Virginia move in a positive direction for gun owners and join 18 other states that currently recognize valid permits from all other states,” said Delegate Webert. “With over 421,000 Virginians possessing permits to carry a concealed firearm, it was critical that we advanced this bill. The right of law-abiding citizens to possess a firearm for self-defense shouldn’t end at a state line—thanks to my legislation, now permit holders here and across the country will enjoy greater legal certainty when traveling into and outside of Virginia.”

Webert added, “This deal would never have come to fruition without the support of my colleagues in the House. I would like to thank Speaker Howell, Chairman Lingamfelter, and Delegate Gilbert for their assistance.”

Update: The legislation does not take affect until July 1. For now, Virginia will continue to honor all the states we were honoring before Herring's announcement.  That means that states that have been honoring Virginia permits should continue to do so. The current March 1st deadline from the Governor's January announcement will be moved to June 30th.  The Virginia State Police updated their web site and will be notifying the states that were originally going to lose recognition on March 1st and let them know that Virginia is going to continue honoring their permits uninterrupted into the future.  On July 1, citizens of the 19 states Virginia does not currently honor, such as California, Oregon, Maine, New York, etc., can begin to carry concealed in Virginia using their home state permit or any non-resident permit provided:
provided:

• the holder of such permit or license is at least 21 years of age; and
• the permit or license holder carries a photo identification issued by a government agency of any state or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of State; and
• the holder displays the permit or license and such identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer; and
• the permit or license holder has not previously had a Virginia concealed handgun permit revoked. 

Legislative Update

As the General Assembly races toward its final two weeks, bills continue to be heard in committee and heard on the floor.  Most importantly, both the House and the Senate have sent to Governor McAuliffe the legislation tied to the deal to overturn Mark Herring's December action ending concealed carry permit recognition with 25 states.  The bills included in that deal that are now on the Governor's desk is:

House Bill 1163 and Senate Bill 610, patroned by Delegate Michael Webert (R-18) and state Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17), would recognize all valid out-of-state concealed carry permits.  This legislation would also require the Virginia State Police to enter into reciprocal agreements with certain states so they will recognize Virginia’s concealed carry permit.

House Bill 1386 and Senate Bill 715, patroned by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31) and state Senator John Edwards (D-21), would require the Virginia State Police to attend gun shows in the Commonwealth and provide voluntary background checks for private transfers between attendees.  These voluntary background checks act as an important safeguard for sellers because they provide civil liability protection.

House Bill 1391 and Senate Bill 49, patroned by Delegate Kathleen Murphy (D-34) and state Senator Janet Howell (D-32), would make it unlawful for any person who is subject to a domestic violence permanent protective order to possess any firearm while the order is in effect.

The Governor has until February 29th to act on the legislation.  He has indicated he will sign the bills.

In other action of interest to gun owners, last night, after a delay due to a tornado warning, Senate Courts of Justice took action on the following bills:

HB90 Possession of handguns by members of the Virginia National Guard Allows a member of the Virginia National Guard to possess a concealed handgun at National Guard facilities and facilities under contract with the National Guard if such member has a valid concealed handgun permit.- Amended and reported to full Senate

HB206 Transfer of certain firearms; identification requirement. Allows Virginia residents to purchase a firearm by presenting only one photo-identification form issued by a governmental agency of the Commonwealth or by the U.S. Department of Defense that demonstrates that the prospective purchaser resides in Virginia. The bill provides that a member of the armed forces whose photo identification issued by the Department of Defense does not have a Virginia address may establish his Virginia residency with such photo identification and permanent orders assigning the purchaser to a duty post, including the Pentagon, in Virginia or his Leave and Earnings Statement. Current law requires photo identification and another document that establishes residency, such as a lease or utility bill, and that includes an address that matches the photo identification.

HB382 Control of firearms by state agencies; rights of employees. Prohibits state agencies within the executive branch other than the Virginia Port Authority from adopting any regulation or workplace rule preventing officers or employees of such agencies from storing a lawfully possessed firearm and ammunition in a locked private motor vehicle at their workplace. The bill also provides that any such regulation or rule adopted prior to July 1, 2016, is invalid.  Reported to full Senate

HB560 Brandishing a firearm; intent; penalty. Requires that a person pointing, holding, or brandishing a firearm or similar weapons must have the intent to induce fear in the mind of another or know or reasonably should know that his conduct would induce such fear in order to be convicted of the crime of brandishing. Currently, the perpetrator's intent is not an element of the offense. Reported to full Senate

HB768 Victims of domestic violence, etc.; firearms safety or training course. Provides that the Department of Criminal Justice Services may distribute funds from the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund to reimburse an entity that offers a firearms safety or training course or class approved by the Department free of charge to victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking, and family abuse. The bill also requires that, upon the issuance of a protective order, the petitioner for the order be provided with a list of such approved courses or classes.  Reported and rereferred to Finance

HB783 Brandishing a firearm; law-enforcement officer; penalty. Provides for a six-month mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction of a person for pointing, holding, or brandishing a firearm or similar weapon at someone who the person knows or has reason to know is a law-enforcement officer in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another. Passed by Indefinately (failed to report).

HB809 Sale of firearms; persons not lawfully present in United States; penalty. Provides that the crime of selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing or possessing with the intent to sell, barter, give, or furnish a firearm to a person knowing that such person is prohibited from possessing or transporting a firearm because he is not lawfully present in the United States applies to assault firearms.  Reported and rereferred to Finance

HB810 Transfer of assault weapon; proof of citizenship. Makes consistent the type of identification and other documentation that a purchaser of a firearm must present when purchasing any type of firearm from a licensed dealer by removing the additional requirement for the purchase of an assault weapon that a person who purchases such a weapon must present proof of citizenship. The bill does not alter the provisions prohibiting the sale of assault firearms to noncitizens who have not been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.  Reported to the full Senate

HB1087 Violation of protective order; firearm or other deadly weapon; penalty. Provides that any person who violates any provision of certain protective orders while armed with a firearm or other deadly weapon is guilty of a Class 6 felony.  Reported from Senate Courts and rereferred to Finance

HB1096 Regulation of firearms by state entities. Prohibits any state entity from adopting or enforcing any rule, regulation, policy, or administrative action governing the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, storage, or transporting of firearms, ammunition, or components or combinations thereof unless expressly authorized by statute. The bill invalidates any such rule, regulation, policy, or administrative action adopted by a state entity prior to July 1, 2016. The bill does not prohibit a law-enforcement officer from acting within the scope of his duties, nor does it apply to the Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of State Police, Virginia National Guard, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Department of Social Services, Virginia Port Authority, Officer of the State Inspector General, or any institution of higher education. The bill allows entities to adopt or enforce rules or regulations necessary for compliance with the Fire Prevention Code or necessary for the operation of Reserve Officer Training Corps programs. The bill expressly authorizes the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries to create certain regulations governing the possession, carrying, transportation, and storage of firearms, ammunition, or components or combinations thereof. This bill incorporates HB 593.  - Amended and reported to the full Senate

HB1234 School security officers; carrying a firearm. Authorizes a school security officer to carry a firearm in the performance of his duties if he is a retired law-enforcement officer and the local school board grants him the authority to carry a firearm in the performance of his duties. - Amended and reported to the full Senate

House bills that passed the Senate this week and:

HB51 Purchase of weapons other than handguns by certain officers
HB 332 Provides that a judge or retired judge of the Commonwealth may carry a concealed handgun throughout the Commonwealth without a permit. (The Senate amended the bill and it is now back in the House to approve the amendment)

HB766 Carrying concealed handguns; protective orders. Authorizes any person 21 years of age or older who is not prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm and is protected by an unexpired protective order to carry a concealed handgun for 45 days after the protective order was issued.

HB784 Possession of firearms by persons adjudicated delinquent; military service exception. Provides that individuals who have previous adjudications of delinquency and have either completed a term of enlistment of no less than one year in the Armed Forces of the United States or received an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States are not disqualified from obtaining a concealed handgun permit and may possess or transport any firearm or ammunition for a firearm, any stun weapon, or any explosive material. (Amended in Senate and is now in House to approve or reject)

Senate bills passed by the House this week are:

SB198 Carrying concealed weapons; exceptions. Adds any employee with internal investigations authority designated by the Department of Corrections pursuant to subdivision 11 of § 53.1-10 retired from the Department of Corrections to listed individuals who may carry a concealed handgun, provided that he carries written proof of the need to carry.

SB205 Purchase of handguns by certain officers. Adds employees of the Department of Corrections with internal investigations authority to the list of law-enforcement officers who may purchase their service handguns for $1.00.

SB479 Retired law-enforcement officers; concealed handguns. Clarifies provisions relating to the authority of retired law-enforcement officers, special agents of the State Corporation Commission and Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, members of the enforcement division of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and investigators of the security division of the Virginia Lottery to carry concealed handguns.

SB544 Concealed handgun permit; judges exempt. (House passed substitute and must be approved by Senate)

You can check the progress of all legislation on the VSSA web site on the VSSA Legislative Tracking Form.

Violence Policy Center: Firearms Industry and Gun Lobby are Targeting Your Children

Late last week the Violence Policy Center, one of the more radical gun ban lobby groups, released a report titled “Start Them Young” — How the Firearms Industry and Gun Lobby Are Targeting Your Children.  The report claims to show ongoing efforts by the firearms industry and pro-rights lobbyists to market guns to grade-school age children for “financial and political gain.”  And just how do firearm manufacturers do this?  Here as some of the ways sighted in the report:

• Creating and marketing guns specifically to children, including the use of mascots like Crickett rifle’s “Davey Crickett;”
• Promoting 22 caliber assault rifles with plastic incorporated into the design for “less recoil and lighter weight;”
• Marketing guns in “child-friendly colors,” including pink, purple, orange, red, yellow and blue;
• Encouraging parents to introduce firearms to their children “at the earliest possible age;”
• Producing a number of “marketing research publications” that urge manufacturers and dealers to “target programs toward youth 12 years old and younger;”
• And including children and teens in “3-Gun competitions,” where shooters “use three types of firearms on a timed circuit.”

Being the parent of two children who love to go shooting, I didn't need any help from the "industry" to get them interested in the sport.  Both of them started out with a Daisy Red Ryder and my oldest daughter progressed to hunting rifles.  When a friend gave me one of those "22 caliber assault rifles" as a Christmas present last year, my oldest daughter immediately gravitated to it, not because the "gun lobby" marketed it to her, but because she could adjust the stock to fit her perfectly and she could go through a box of ammo in little to no time.

 

Is the industry making products that can be used by youth?  Of course, they'ed be foolish not to.  But the fact that kids are taking up the sport of shooting probably has more to do with their parents choices, or possibly an organization like the YMCA that includes marksmanship in the local summer camp in the Richmond area, than any marketing ploy by manufacturers or the "gun lobby."

Hat tip to Guns.com.

Western Virginia Sports Show This Weekend

The Western Virginia Sports Show will be held at the Augusta Expo Center this weekend (Feb. 26, 27, and 28) in Fishersville, Virginia.

The show is celebrating it's 29th year of providing this unique family event. The show features more outdoor celebrities, displays and vendor categories than any other show in the region. Show hours are:


Friday, Feb. 26 .................................... Noon - 9:00 PM
Saturday, Feb. 27 ................................. 10 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday, Feb. 28 ....................................12 PM - 5:30 PM

Bills in Concealed Carry Deal Head to McAuliffe

Today the House and Senate passed all of the bills that make up the compromise to overturn Attorney General Mark Herring's December action eliminating recognition agreements with 25 states. They are now headed to Governor McAuliffe for his signature.  The Governor has until February 29th to act on the legislation. He has indicated he will sign the bills. 

VSSA's legislative team will  continue to monitor the progress of the bills and let members know when they have been signed.

Alan Gura: Heller Could Be Gone Sooner Rather Than Later

I finally got around to listening to the podcast of Tom Gresham's Gun Talk radio program from February 14 and the first guest on the show was Alan Gura, the attorney who argued the Heller and McDonald cases before the Supreme Court.  Gura, as have many, talked about Scalia's impact on the Court.  When discussing the Heller opinion, Gura mentioned that many lower courts are actually basing their rulings on the minority opinion of Justice Breyer, giving the issue "intermediate scrutiny" when determining whether a law violates the Second Amendment.   Then he gave gun owners the best reason to get involved in this year's election.  He said the Second Amendment is obviously on the ballot this election and we have known for a while this was going to be the case given the ages of the justices currently on the Supreme Court.  He predicted if the court shifts to a 5-4 liberal make up Heller will be gone.  The interview is about 17 minutes and is well worth the time to listen.

Legislative Update for February 18

Wednesday was Crossover which marks the halfway point of the General Assembly.  There are no bad bills remaining though a number of good bills died too.  At the start of the session VSSA's goal was to address the concealed carry reciprocity issue and the legislative team believes the agreement worked out with the Governor is a big win for gun owners because it actually expands reciprocity while not mandating background checks on private sales at gun shows but provides a mechanism for gun owners who want to use the option of a background check on a prospective buyer.  The legislative team will continue to monitor the progress to make sure nothing changes as the gun ban lobby is still trying to push McAuliffe to make changes to the agreement. 

The Senate versions of the three bills making up the agreement between Governor Terry McAuliffe and GOP leadership to overturn AG Mark Herring's December action are all before the full House of Delegates and will likely win final approval in Friday.  The House versions were reported out of Senate Courts on Wednesday and should also win final approval by Friday.
You can see the complete list of bills that died on the VSSA Legislative Tracking Form.

Here are a list of the bills still alive awaiting action by either the House or Senate:
HB 51: Purchase of weapons other than handguns by certain officers.
HB 83: Federal firearms laws; enforcement.
HB 90: Possession of handguns by members of the Virginia National Guard.
HB 206: Transfer of certain firearms; identification requirement.
HB 332: Concealed handgun permit; judges exempt.
HB 382:Control of firearms by state agencies; rights of employees.
HB 560: Brandishing a firearm; intent; penalty.
HB 766: Carrying concealed handguns; protective orders.
HB 768: Victims of domestic violence, etc.; firearms safety or training course.
HB 783: Brandishing a firearm; law-enforcement officer; penalty.
HB 784: Possession of firearms by persons adjudicated delinquent; military service exception.
HB 809: Sale of firearms; persons not lawfully present in United States; penalty.
HB 810: Transfer of assault weapon; proof of citizenship.
HB 1087: Violation of protective order; possession of a firearm or other deadly weapon; penalty.
HB 1096: Regulation of firearms by state entities.
HB 1163: Recognition of out-of-state concealed handgun permits. 
HB 1234: School security officers; carrying a firearm.
HB 1281: Carrying concealed weapons; exception for certain retired officers.
HB 1386: Firearms shows; voluntary background checks; penalties.
HB1391: Protective orders; possession of firearms.
SB 49: Protective orders; possession of firearms; penalty.
SB 175: Concealed handgun permits; sharing of information.
SB 178: Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity.
SB 187: Transfer of firearms; permit required.
SB 198: Carrying concealed weapons; exceptions.
SB 205: Purchase of handguns by certain officers.
SB 323: Possession or transportation of firearms; protective orders; penalty.
SB 479: Retired law-enforcement officers; concealed handguns.
SB 544: Concealed handgun permit; judges exempt.
SB 608: Confiscation, reporting, and return of firearms by law enforcement.
SB 610: Recognition of out-of-state concealed handgun permits.
SB 615: Purchase of weapons other than handguns by certain officers.
SB 626: Carrying concealed handguns; protective orders.
SB 677: Fees for concealed handgun permits. Makes the $10 fee that the clerk of court is now required to charge for processing a concealed handgun permit application or issuing a concealed handgun permit discretionary with the clerk.
SB 713: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Advisory Commission.
SB 715: Firearms shows; voluntary background checks; penaltiesWith fewer bills they will move quickly as the session winds down