TTAG contributor and Patriot Picket founder Jeff Hulbert is in Richmond this morning and in the room with the Senate Judiciary Committee. The reason for all the attention is the committee taking up the Senate version of HB 961, the much-reviled “assault weapons” sales ban bill that would also ban “high capacity” magazines and end the sales of suppressors in the state.
But as Jeff reports, a Republican motion to put off consideration of the bill until the 2021 session just passed, meaning there will be no ban bill this legislative session. That result was met with rollicking cheers from the overwhelmingly pro-gun crowd in the room.
That outcome won’t make Governor Coonman happy at all.
As WTOP reports:
Senators voted to shelve the bill for the year and ask the state crime commission to study the issue, an outcome that drew cheers from a committee room packed with gun advocates.
Four moderate Democrats joined Republicans in Monday’s committee vote, rejecting legislation that would have prohibited the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms, including popular AR-15 style rifles, and banned the possession of magazines that hold more than 12 rounds.
The bill was a top priority for Northam, a Democrat who has campaigned heavily for a broad package of gun-control measures.
Not to mention Michael Blooomberg and his Moms Demand Action red-shirted sock puppets.
From the AP:
Northam has been able to get much of his gun-control agenda passed this year, but struggled with the proposed assault weapon ban. Earlier proposals to ban possession of AR-15-style rifles or to require owners to register them with state police have been scrapped. The governor had hoped a watered-down would win over enough Democratic moderates for passage.
Oops.