SB 70 mandates a background check for any private party purchase or sale of a firearm by requiring private sellers to conduct the sale at a federal firearms licensed dealer in order to obtain a background check on a prospective private purchaser. You recently issued directives for all Virginians to remain at home during the Coronavirus epidemic, with few exceptions through June 10. It appears that firearms purchases are not on your list of reasons to leave our homes, nor were gun ranges allowed to remain open. Considering the federal government recently stated that firearms stores and gun ranges are essential businesses, I urge you to open Virginia’s gun ranges which comply with “social distancing.” Since you acknowledged that leaving one’s home increases the chances of exposure to the health-compromising and life-threatening Coronavirus, please amend SB 70 because it makes firearms sales subject to police administered background checks only obtainable by the personal presence at federal firearms licensed dealers. Of course, that’s not the only problem with SB 70. Gun Owners of America has correctly noted that this legislation will result in a dangerous form of universal gun owner registration. For all these reasons, please either veto SB 70 in light of the Coronavirus restrictions or add a reenactment clause which will require the bill to be considered again in 2021. Please do not place any Virginians in harm’s way by requiring they travel to a licensed firearms dealer at the same time you are requiring Virginians to stay home. Please let me know how you intend to act on SB 70. Thank you.

SB 70 mandates a background check for any private party purchase or sale of a firearm by requiring private sellers to conduct the sale at a federal firearms licensed dealer in order to obtain a background check on a prospective private purchaser. You recently issued directives for all Virginians to remain at home during the Coronavirus epidemic, with few exceptions through June 10. It appears that firearms purchases are not on your list of reasons to leave our homes, nor were gun ranges allowed to remain open. Considering the federal government recently stated that firearms stores and gun ranges are essential businesses, I urge you to open Virginia’s gun ranges which comply with “social distancing.” Since you acknowledged that leaving one’s home increases the chances of exposure to the health-compromising and life-threatening Coronavirus, please amend SB 70 because it makes firearms sales subject to police administered background checks only obtainable by the personal presence at federal firearms licensed dealers. Of course, that’s not the only problem with SB 70. Gun Owners of America has correctly noted that this legislation will result in a dangerous form of universal gun owner registration. For all these reasons, please either veto SB 70 in light of the Coronavirus restrictions or add a reenactment clause which will require the bill to be considered again in 2021. Please do not place any Virginians in harm’s way by requiring they travel to a licensed firearms dealer at the same time you are requiring Virginians to stay home. Please let me know how you intend to act on SB 70. Thank you.

SB 70 mandates a background check for any private party purchase or sale of a firearm by requiring private sellers to conduct the sale at a federal firearms licensed dealer in order to obtain a background check on a prospective private purchaser. You recently issued directives for all Virginians to remain at home during the Coronavirus epidemic, with few exceptions through June 10. It appears that firearms purchases are not on your list of reasons to leave our homes, nor were gun ranges allowed to remain open. Considering the federal government recently stated that firearms stores and gun ranges are essential businesses, I urge you to open Virginia’s gun ranges which comply with “social distancing.” Since you acknowledged that leaving one’s home increases the chances of exposure to the health-compromising and life-threatening Coronavirus, please amend SB 70 because it makes firearms sales subject to police administered background checks only obtainable by the personal presence at federal firearms licensed dealers. Of course, that’s not the only problem with SB 70. Gun Owners of America has correctly noted that this legislation will result in a dangerous form of universal gun owner registration. For all these reasons, please either veto SB 70 in light of the Coronavirus restrictions or add a reenactment clause which will require the bill to be considered again in 2021. Please do not place any Virginians in harm’s way by requiring they travel to a licensed firearms dealer at the same time you are requiring Virginians to stay home. Please let me know how you intend to act on SB 70. Thank you.