Yesterday, we reported that two NRA-drafted employee protection bills were filed in the Tennessee Senate, Senate Bill 2992 and Senate Bill 3002.  We are pleased to announce that the House companion bills have now been filed.  Today, House Bill 3560 and House Bill 3559 were introduced by state Representative Eddie Bass (D-65).  These NRA-drafted bills would prevent employers from discriminating and enforcing policies against the storage of lawfully-owned firearms in employees’ locked private motor vehicles parked at work.  

Several pro-gun reform measures are on the move in this year’s thirty-day session which began on January 17th.  Senate Bill 26, introduced by state Senator Bill Payne (R-Albuquerque) is legislation that would allow New Mexico residents to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states and residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in New Mexico.

House Bill 1508, a shooting range protection bill, and House Bill 2471, a background check reform bill, are scheduled for an executive session and could be voted on by the House Judiciary Committee this Monday, January 30, at 1:30 p.m. in Hearing Room A of the John L. O’Brien Building in Olympia. 

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee on Wednesday approved a measure that would eliminate Virginia’s one-gun-a-month restriction on handgun purchases, setting up what could be the most significant change to Virginia’s gun laws in years.

Earlier today, in a victory for sportsmen throughout the Commonwealth, the Virginia Senate passed legislation to repeal the comprehensive ban on Sunday hunting by a 29 to 11 vote.  This bipartisan action will now send Senate Bill 464 to the state House of Delegates for committee assignment and further consideration. 

At its meeting this past Monday, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners was slated to vote on allowing concealed carry in county parks.  Currently, both open and concealed carrying of firearms is banned in all Forsyth County parks, and there has been heated debate over the effect enactment of any new laws would have on citizens and visitors alike.

Tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. in the 4th Floor West Conference room, House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 is scheduled to hear the following pro-gun and anti-gun legislation listed below. Please contact members of this Subcommittee and respectfully request that they oppose HB 364 and HB 458 and support HB 20, HB 22, HB 26, HB 375 and HB 940.

Yesterday, the state House Public Safety Subcommittee passed HF 573 by a 2 to 1 vote. This important “stand your ground” self-defense legislation will now be heard by the full House Public Safety Committee as early as tomorrow. State Representatives Clel Baulder (R-58) and Matt Windschitl (R-56) voted to pass HF 573, while Representative Rick Olson (D-68) voted against it.