Virginia Considers Expanding Second Amendment Rights As Republican Leadership Takes Hold
Note: This article may contain commentary reflecting the author's opinion.
The Commonwealth of Virginia’s House of Delegates, their uniquely named state legislature, is considering a new bill from Republican Delegate Nick Freitas that would make the home of George Washington the 26th state with a ‘Constitutional Carry’ law.
‘Constitutional Carry’ is the ability to carry a concealed firearm on one’s person without a permit. Virginia is already an ‘Open carry’ state that allows non-concealed weapons, not hidden by the bearer’s clothing or outerwear, only without a permit. Freitas pre-filed the legislation Tuesday, according to Breitbart.
Freitas posted to Twitter, “In Virginia, you can open carry as is your constitutional right. But if you put a jacket over your firearm or place it in your purse you have broken the law. It’s time to join 25 other states and pass constitutional carry in VA.”
In Virginia, you can open carry as is your constitutional right. But if you put a jacket over your firearm or place it in your purse you have broken the law. It’s time to join 25 other states and pass constitutional carry in VA. https://t.co/XMjo177qGU
The proposed law, House Bill No. 1801, defines the bill as, “A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.”
If the law passes, it would prove a pivotal turning point making Constitutional Carry, in line with the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the law of the land in more than half of the states. Making the move even more impactful is the fact that Virginia is one of the most populous states in the country with it ranking 12th in size by population.
Since the beginning of the Virginia legislative session in 2022, Republicans hold a 52/48 majority under Speaker Todd Gilbert, however, the Virginia State Senate is currently led by Democrats with a 22/18 majority, so the bill would require bipartisan support in order to make it to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s (R-VA) desk.
States, where Constitutional Carry is currently the law, include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
States appear to be adopting Constitutional Carry at an accelerated rate in recent years as well. According to USConcealedCarry.com, “In 2022, four states — Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, and Georgia — passed constitutional carry or permitless carry laws, making them the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th states to do so.”
The Commonwealth of Virginia’s House of Delegates, their uniquely named state legislature, is considering a new bill from Republican Delegate Nick Freitas that would make the home of George Washington the 26th state with a ‘Constitutional Carry’ law.
‘Constitutional Carry’ is the ability to carry a concealed firearm on one’s person without a permit. Virginia is already an ‘Open carry’ state that allows non-concealed weapons, not hidden by the bearer’s clothing or outerwear, only without a permit. Freitas pre-filed the legislation Tuesday, according to Breitbart.
Freitas posted to Twitter, “In Virginia, you can open carry as is your constitutional right. But if you put a jacket over your firearm or place it in your purse you have broken the law. It’s time to join 25 other states and pass constitutional carry in VA.”
The proposed law, House Bill No. 1801, defines the bill as, “A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.”
If the law passes, it would prove a pivotal turning point making Constitutional Carry, in line with the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the law of the land in more than half of the states. Making the move even more impactful is the fact that Virginia is one of the most populous states in the country with it ranking 12th in size by population.
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Since the beginning of the Virginia legislative session in 2022, Republicans hold a 52/48 majority under Speaker Todd Gilbert, however, the Virginia State Senate is currently led by Democrats with a 22/18 majority, so the bill would require bipartisan support in order to make it to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s (R-VA) desk.
States, where Constitutional Carry is currently the law, include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
States appear to be adopting Constitutional Carry at an accelerated rate in recent years as well. According to USConcealedCarry.com, “In 2022, four states — Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, and Georgia — passed constitutional carry or permitless carry laws, making them the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th states to do so.”
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