Virginia house Democrats passed a bill on Tuesday banning the sale of “assault weapons” and calling for the confiscation of magazines capable of holding more than 12 rounds.
The bill would outlaw new sales of some of the country’s most popular firearms, including the AR-15. It would also make possession of ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 12 rounds punishable by up to one year in prison even if the magazines were legally purchased.
The bill, known as HB961, passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 51 to 48 with all Republicans and several Democrats voicing opposition. It is the most controversial measure Democratic lawmakers and Governor Ralph Northam (D.) have advanced since taking control of both houses of the state legislature in November. If signed into law, it would be among the strictest bans in the country.
Most modern firearms come standard with magazines that hold more than 12 rounds.
These folks have the power now and intend to use it. Basic fairness demands that anything purchased legally be exempted from any “bans” passed now – the law abiding citizen who purchased a legal product should not be made into a felon over night. This just doesn’t pass the smell test.
In Article I. Bill of Rights Section 13, the Constitution of the Virginia includes the following: “…therefore, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed…”
Any law restricting the number of guns to be purchased per month, and any laws regarding magazine capacity or firearm configuration, would seem to run afoul of Article I. Bill of Rights Section 13.
We’ll see how that develops.
I just heard on the news that a few Democrats voted with Republicans to kill this measure.