WATCH: Virginia gun owners react to sweeping package of gun bills in the General Assembly

Bans on assault weapons, raising taxes on firearms sales, and creating penalties for those who don’t store their weapons properly have all been part of a sweeping package of bills put forward by Virginia lawmakers during this session’s General Assembly session. Virginia Democrats have made regulating the firearms industry in the state a top priority during the early part of the year. 

We went to The Nation’s Gun Show at the Manassas Mall this past weekend to talk to gun dealers and gun owners about what they think about the proposals. 

I’m Matt Delaney with The Washington Times, and I’m here with:

• Matt Szramoski
• Joe Jackson
• Paul Voska
• Annette Elliott
• Rod Hunnicutt 

[DELANEY] So, Rod, what do you think about the new gun laws proposed in Virginia this term?

[HUNNICUTT] Some of them make no sense, and some I can kind of see it.

[SZRAMOSKI] Well, one, I think they’re unconstitutional, and it’s very unfortunate. It’s just punishing law-abiding citizens and making it much harder for us to enjoy the shooting sports and protect our families.

[VOSKA] Well, it’s really a shame because our country is founded under the U.S. Constitution.

[ELLIOTT] I think it’s tyrannical. I think it’s one of the most aggressive policies towards law-abiding citizens.

[JACKSON] Well, I think the gun laws that have been proposed in Virginia are a little bit unfair to the people that actually follow the laws.

DELANEY] And the ones that do make sense to you, which ones are those?

[HUNNICUTT] I can see the one they’re talking about with the training beforehand. I can see the logic in that. I don’t understand the magazine ban. That’s going to make me a criminal and thousands of others in Virginia as well. 

[ELLIOTT] The taxes is another big one on the firearms—11% on ammunition and on guns, $500 on a suppressor when suppressors are used in 0.003 percent of crimes.

[VOSKA] The sad part about it is, the people they’re taking the guns away from, or trying to prohibit ownership or limit ownership, are the best people in the country. They have no records. They take care of themselves. They’re good citizens, they work, they pay taxes, they protect their families, and we’re vilified.

[JACKSON] It’s like a community for everybody to come here. We don’t rule anybody out. Everybody gets vetted. There’s no loopholes here. And if you notice, when you look around, everybody does a very extensive background check to acquire the firearms.

[DELANEY] Would that affect your inventory that you have?

[SZRAMOSKI] It absolutely would. Matter of fact, I don’t know a single gun owner that doesn’t have a firearm that would be banned under the new law if it passes. 

[ELLIOTT] I think it’s 217—HB 217. I think that’s Dan Helmer’s, the one that wants to ban any firearm that would accept a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds. That is 95% of modern firearms. It’ll put most of these gun shops, these small gun shops, out of business.

[DELANEY] Would any of the firearms you have on display today qualify as an assault weapon under the new law?

[VOSKA] All of them. All of them.

[DELANEY] There’s the one where it’s banning storage of guns in cars—I believe guns visible in the car. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with this. 

[SZRAMOSKI] All the responsible gun owners I know do not leave their guns in the open car, but I believe with this legislation, if it gets stolen from your vehicle, they’re just going to hold you responsible for it.

[VOSKA] Well, the one that really gets under my skin is the assault rifle ban. An assault rifle is what I consider a Class 3 fully automatic firearm that’s heavily regulated by the National Firearms Act of 1968. 

[HUTTICUTT] First of all, there’s no such thing as an “assault weapon.” It’s a media term. 

[VOSKA] So they’re using the language to contort the meaning to develop fear in the general population to get these things through.

[HUNNICUTT] It’s one of those things where it just hurts the average citizen because we’re the ones following the rules, right? The bad guys are going to do what the bad guys are going to do. That’s why they’re bad guys.

[DELANEY] You talk about the constitutionality of some of these proposals. Do you think they’ll withstand a test in court if they were to sue and challenge them there?

[VOSKA] Honestly, I really feel they’re going to be shut down because they are unconstitutional.

[SZRAMOSKI] I think with the current mix of the General Assembly, they will pass the legislation. Our governor, who claims she was going to be a moderate, has proven she’s not, and I’m sure she’s not going to veto it. So it is going to be up to the courts. I’m hoping—I don’t see how they can’t overturn a bill that’s unconstitutional. So I think, for most of us gun owners, that’s where my hopes are going to be — in the courts.

[DELANEY] Is there anything else you want to add I did not ask you about?

[HUNNICUTT] It always changes. It’s another storm. Next election cycle will be the other way around, then the next it would be the other way around. That’s life.

[JACKSON] I would like to add — hey, we’re here at Trojan Arms. We support the Second Amendment and all those who love it.

[VOSKA] I would ask anybody out in the world that is anti-gun and doesn’t like guns in society: Go to a shooting range, meet some of the guys, talk to them, learn where they’re coming from. Talk to all these veterans that put their life on the line to keep this country as free as it is. Seriously, go meet the local gun guys. If your neighbor’s a gun guy, shake his hand, have dinner with them. Get to meet the people.

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