RICHMOND, VA: This morning, the Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-5 in favor of rejecting Delegate Mark Levine’s House Bill 961. The legislation, which will be sent to the Virginia State Crime Commission for further study this summer, was defeated in a bipartisan manner. Four Democrats, Chairman John Edwards (D-21), Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-25), Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34), and Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36), joined the Republican committee members to put an end to HB 961 for the year.

Knox Williams, Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association was on hand to testify in opposition to the bill. Had HB 961 become law, anyone who possessed a federally registered suppressor in Virginia prior to July 1st would have been able to legally maintain possession of their property. However, the acts of importing, selling, manufacturing, and purchasing suppressors would have been prohibited for civilians after enactment.

Make no mistake, the fight in Virginia is far from over. We applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for overwhelmingly defeating this draconian legislation. However, we must remain vigilant through the remainder of session. If you live in Virginia, please take the time to voice your support the Senators who voted against HB 961 today.