SB 70 mandates a background check for any private party sale of a firearm by requiring private sellers and buyers to travel to a licensed federal firearms dealer to obtain a background check on a prospective private purchaser. I agree with Gun Owners of America that this legislation will result in a dangerous form of universal gun owner registration. But this is not the only problem. We are in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis. SB 70 is being proposed at the same time the Governor has issued directives for all Virginians to remain at home during the Coronavirus epidemic except for specific reasons outlined by the Governor. Buying a firearm was not on the Governor’s list of reasons to break the “quarantine.” Further, the Governor has required indoor shooting ranges in Virginia to be closed. Some of these ranges are attached to gun stores where patrons can first try out a gun. The Governor’s policy is in direct conflict with a new federal directive from the Department of Homeland Security declaring the firearms and ammunition industries to be necessary businesses, including firing ranges. The Governor had acknowledged that leaving one’s home increases the chances of exposure to the health-compromising and life-threatening Coronavirus. So, while I opposed SB 70 which made private firearms subject to police administered background checks, I am asking for your support to urge the Governor to either veto SB 70 or amend it with a reenactment clause, requiring that it be reconsidered in 2021. At the very least, please ask the Governor to add an amendment that would not place Virginians in harm’s way by requiring they travel to a federally licensed firearms dealer at the very same time we are all being told to remain at home due to the effects of the Coronavirus. Please let me know how the Governor responds to your request. Thank you.

SB 70 mandates a background check for any private party sale of a firearm by requiring private sellers and buyers to travel to a licensed federal firearms dealer to obtain a background check on a prospective private purchaser. I agree with Gun Owners of America that this legislation will result in a dangerous form of universal gun owner registration. But this is not the only problem. We are in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis. SB 70 is being proposed at the same time the Governor has issued directives for all Virginians to remain at home during the Coronavirus epidemic except for specific reasons outlined by the Governor. Buying a firearm was not on the Governor’s list of reasons to break the “quarantine.” Further, the Governor has required indoor shooting ranges in Virginia to be closed. Some of these ranges are attached to gun stores where patrons can first try out a gun. The Governor’s policy is in direct conflict with a new federal directive from the Department of Homeland Security declaring the firearms and ammunition industries to be necessary businesses, including firing ranges. The Governor had acknowledged that leaving one’s home increases the chances of exposure to the health-compromising and life-threatening Coronavirus. So, while I opposed SB 70 which made private firearms subject to police administered background checks, I am asking for your support to urge the Governor to either veto SB 70 or amend it with a reenactment clause, requiring that it be reconsidered in 2021. At the very least, please ask the Governor to add an amendment that would not place Virginians in harm’s way by requiring they travel to a federally licensed firearms dealer at the very same time we are all being told to remain at home due to the effects of the Coronavirus. Please let me know how the Governor responds to your request. Thank you.

SB 70 mandates a background check for any private party sale of a firearm by requiring private sellers and buyers to travel to a licensed federal firearms dealer to obtain a background check on a prospective private purchaser. I agree with Gun Owners of America that this legislation will result in a dangerous form of universal gun owner registration. But this is not the only problem. We are in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis. SB 70 is being proposed at the same time the Governor has issued directives for all Virginians to remain at home during the Coronavirus epidemic except for specific reasons outlined by the Governor. Buying a firearm was not on the Governor’s list of reasons to break the “quarantine.” Further, the Governor has required indoor shooting ranges in Virginia to be closed. Some of these ranges are attached to gun stores where patrons can first try out a gun. The Governor’s policy is in direct conflict with a new federal directive from the Department of Homeland Security declaring the firearms and ammunition industries to be necessary businesses, including firing ranges. The Governor had acknowledged that leaving one’s home increases the chances of exposure to the health-compromising and life-threatening Coronavirus. So, while I opposed SB 70 which made private firearms subject to police administered background checks, I am asking for your support to urge the Governor to either veto SB 70 or amend it with a reenactment clause, requiring that it be reconsidered in 2021. At the very least, please ask the Governor to add an amendment that would not place Virginians in harm’s way by requiring they travel to a federally licensed firearms dealer at the very same time we are all being told to remain at home due to the effects of the Coronavirus. Please let me know how the Governor responds to your request. Thank you.