“Virginia’s Republican-led House of Delegates has approved a bill that would allow people who are protected by a protective order to carry a concealed handgun without a permit,” wdbj7.com reports. “The House approved Republican Del. Todd Gilbert‘s bill with a 68-29 vote on Wednesday. It heads to the GOP-controlled Senate. Genius! If Michael Bloomberg’s anti-ballistic BFF, Virginia Governor Terry McCauliffe, vetoes the bill, he will be seen as anti-gun in a War on Women kinda way. If he doesn’t, even better. HB 766 — Concealed handguns; carrying with a valid protective order — stipulates . . .
If during the period set forth in subsection A the person issued the protective order applies for a concealed handgun permit, the prohibition against carrying a concealed handgun in clause (i) of subsection A of § 18.2-308 shall not apply to such person for an additional 45 days from the date of the application. The clerk shall certify on the application that the period has been extended for an additional 45 days from the date of the application and shall indicate the date on which the period expires. A copy of the certified application shall be given to such person and shall serve as a de facto permit. The clerk shall expedite the processing of any application for a concealed handgun permit submitted by a person in accordance with this subsection.
Failure to display the order or certified application and a photo identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer is punishable by a $25 civil penalty, which shall be paid into the state treasury.
This raises a question: if it’s OK for Old Dominion residents under a protective order to carry a firearm without mandatory training (which may be taken online without live fire training), why not Constitutional Carry for all? Why not indeed.
Meanwhile, for creating a baby-steps-to-CC bill that puts the civilian disarmament industry in a pickle, Virginia Republican Del. Todd Gilbert earns TTAG’s Gun Hero of the Day award. Easily.