RICHMOND, VA — This afternoon the Virginia House of Delegates voted 51 – 48 in favor of passing House Bill 961, Delegate Mark Levine’s (D-45) “assault firearm” and suppressor ban. All 45 Republican Delegates voted against the bill. They were joined by Del. Lee Carter (D-50), Del. Steve Heretick (D-79), and Del. Rosalyn Tyler (D-75), with Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D-21) abstaining. Now that the bill has passed the House, it will move to the Senate for consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The suppressor provisions of House Bill 961 were amended in Committee on Friday, removing the confiscation provision that was previously included. Should the bill become law, anyone who possesses a federally registered suppressor in Virginia prior to July 1st would be able to legally maintain possession of their property. However, the acts of importing, selling, manufacturing, and purchasing suppressors would be prohibited for civilians after enactment. For this reason, among others, HB 961 remains a bill that the American Suppressor Association strongly opposes.
The relevant suppressor language, which was passed by the House, reads:
18.2-308.11. Import, sale, transfer, etc., of silencers; penalty.
It is unlawful for any person to import, sell, transfer, manufacture, or purchase a silencer, provided that a person may transfer a silencer in accordance with the provisions of the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. § 5801 et seq.). A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 6 felony.
The American Suppressor Association will continue to fight against HB 961, but we need your help. If you are a Virginia resident, please take the time to contact members of the Senate Judiciary committee by using our form below. We ask that you politely urge them to oppose this draconian legislation.
About the American Suppressor Association
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 12 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.
