House Public Safety Committee reports out gun bills
If you were ever frustrated by how the Republican majority dismissed gun bills in minutes, with little discussion, callously right in front of victims and their relatives, Thursday’s House Public Safety meeting was sweet vindication. Chairman Hope (HD47) enforced a VERY brisk schedule that allowed for no grandstanding hyperbole, and in record time, 7 important gun violence prevention bills had reported out. I highly recommend you watch (link)!
One gun-rights man testified repeatedly about all his guns that he had to leave lying around unsafely because of gun free zones, until finally even a Republican Delegate told him he shouldn’t be broadcasting where he was leaving unsecured firearms, and told him to get out and go secure them now!
At one point during the discussion of the bill requiring lost/stolen firearms be reported within 24 hours, Fariss asked if there was a way for him to find out how many and what guns he owns. It’s pretty alarming that he doesn’t know. And sounds like a good reason to set up a gun registry!
Senate and House Committees vote to repeal TRAP laws
On Wednesday, the House Courts of Justice Committee heard discussion of bills to repeal Virginia’s TRAP laws that restrict access and provide obstacles to legal and safe abortions. HB980 (Herring-HD46), incorporating HB1060 (Adams-HD68) reported out on a 12-9 partisan vote. It would:
Removes requirement that an ultrasound be obtained 24 hours prior to an abortion.
Expands who can legally perform a first-trimester abortion.
Removes requirement that the abortion-provider offer written information pertaining to the fetus such as probable anatomical characteristics of the fetus, or pictures or drawings of the fetus.
On Thursday, the Senate Education and Health Committee heard discussion of similar bills–SB733 (McClellan-SD9) with SB21 (Saslaw-SD35) and SB68 (Locke-SD2) incorporated, which reported out of the committee on a 9-6 partisan vote.
Additionally, HB1552 (Watts-HD39), defining birth control and declaring it distinct from abortion reported out of Health, Welfare and Institutions.
Finally, while we may never be able to fully rid ourselves of the heinous and insulting Day of Tears (it’s named that by a resolution, and resolutions can’t be repealed), HR6 (Convirs-Fowler-HD21) to name January 22 (the anniversary of Roe v. Wade) the Day of Women, and to no longer refer to it as the Day of Tears, reported out of the House Rules Committee on Friday.
