Charlotte, NC –-(Ammoland.com)- In great news for Virginia sportsmen as well as the future of gun rights and hunting in the Commonwealth, today the Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 1237 by a 71-27 vote – without the inclusion of any amendments, such as the local option amendment, which would have created a patchwork of confusing ordinances for Virginia hunters.
As previously reported, HB 1237, sponsored by Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) and 39 colleagues, repeals the outdated ban on Sunday hunting on private lands with written permission from the owner – while still prohibiting hunting within 200 yards of a house of worship, the hunting of deer with dogs and the hunting of bear. This important pro-hunting legislation will encourage hunter retention and recruitment by allowing busy families the ability to teach hunting to the next generation, since school and sport activities often dominate Saturdays for children. In addition, it is unjustifiable for the state to deny the dramatic economic benefits that would be associated with allowing Sunday hunting, especially during these difficult economic times.
HB 1237 will now be referred to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. Its Senate companion legislation, Senate Bill 154, introduced by state Senator Phil Puckett (D-38), will be heard by that Senate committee a half hour after the end of the Senate session on Thursday, January 30, in Senate Room B of the General Assembly Building in Richmond. Please keep up the momentum of support for this important legislation and contact your state Senator now. Encourage him or her to support and vote for SB 154.
Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee:
Senator Phil Puckett (D-38), Chairman
Tazewell
(804) 698-7538
district38@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24)
Mount Solon
(804) 698-7524
district24@senate.virginia.gov
Senator John Watkins (R-10)
Midlothian
(804) 698-7510
district10@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Frank Ruff (R-15)
Clarksville
(804) 698-7515
district15@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Don McEachin (D-9)
Richmond
(804) 698-7509
district09@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Chap Petersen (D-34)
Fairfax
(804) 698-7534
district34@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Richard Stuart (R-28)
Montross
(804) 698-7528
district28@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Dave Marsden (D-37)
Burke
(804) 698-7537
district37@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Bill Stanley (R-20)
Richmond
(804) 698-7520
district20@senate.virginia.gov
Senator John Miller (D-1)
Newport News
(804) 698-7501
district01@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Adam Ebbin (D-30)
Alexandria
(804) 698-7530
district30@senate.virginia.gov
Senator John Cosgrove (R-14)
Chesapeake
(804) 698-7514
district14@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ryan McDougle (R-4)
Mechanicsville
(804) 698-7504
district04@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Jennifer Wexton (R-33)
Leesburg
(804) 698-7533
district33@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Lynwood Lewis, Jr. (R-6)
Accomac
(804) 698-7506
district06@senate.virginia.gov
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Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org