RICHMOND, VA: This morning, the Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-5 in favor of rejecting Delegate Mark Levine’s House Bill 961. The legislation, which will be sent to the Virginia State Crime Commission for further study this summer, was defeated in a bipartisan manner. Four Democrats, Chairman John Edwards (D-21), Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-25), Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34), and Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36), joined the Republican committee members to put an end to HB 961 for the year.
Knox Williams, Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association was on hand to testify in opposition to the bill. Had HB 961 become law, anyone who possessed a federally registered suppressor in Virginia prior to July 1st would have been able to legally maintain possession of their property. However, the acts of importing, selling, manufacturing, and purchasing suppressors would have been prohibited for civilians after enactment.
Make no mistake, the fight in Virginia is far from over. We applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for overwhelmingly defeating this draconian legislation. However, we must remain vigilant through the remainder of session. If you live in Virginia, please take the time to voice your support the Senators who voted against HB 961 today.
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor community. We exist for one reason and one reason only: to fight for pro-suppressor reform nationwide.
Suppressor owners everywhere are being rallied to make their voices heard by joining ASA or buying a raffle ticket during the “Cans Not Bans: Sic Semper Tinnitus” member giveaway. Proceeds support the ASA’s organized opposition to Governor Northam’s unpopular attempt to ban suppressors in the state. Anyone who does so before March 2nd will be entered to win one of 13 prizes. Already an ASA member? As long as your membership is up to date as of March 2nd, you’ll be entered as well!
Membership in the American Suppressor Association amplifies everyone’s voices and provides the necessary funding to stay engaged in this essential fight in Virginia, Washington D.C., and throughout the country. Make no mistake, this fight is about more than just Virginia. If we allow misguided policy to take hold in The Old Dominion, it will spread like wildfire. The American Suppressor Association will do everything in our power to prevent this unacceptable outcome. Visit CansNotBans.com for more details.