Virginia gun owners, dealers unload on state’s proposed firearms crackdown

Firearms dealers at a Northern Virginia gun show said a slew of proposed state gun laws could force them out of business, while attendees and event organizers accused lawmakers of trying to trample their Second Amendment rights.

Vendors and customers at the Nation’s Gun Show in Manassas on Sunday lamented the commonwealth’s changing political landscape and criticized new legislation that would target the sale of so-called “assault weapons,” create penalties for improper gun storage and increase taxes on firearm purchases.

The Virginia General Assembly’s Democrats are advancing the proposals, which the House of Delegates passed last week and now go to the Senate. If Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs the legislation, the mom-and-pop vendors at the gun show would face an uncertain future.

“It could very possibly put a bunch of these small gun shops out of business,” said Annette Elliot, president of Showmasters Gun Shows, which ran the three-day event at the Manassas Mall.

“When we talk about like an 11% tax, there’s not a lot of room for wiggle on the prices of firearms. And it’s just hurting people too. You’re just taking money out of honest, law-abiding citizens’ pockets,” Ms. Elliot said.

It was a sentiment held by several of the 1,600 vendors during Sunday’s showing.

Paul Voska, owner of Black Widow Firearms based in Mount Sidney, said every handgun he had on display would fall under the proposed legal description of an “assault weapon.”

The legislation says sales of any semi-automatic firearm that can hold more than 10 rounds would become unlawful. If passed, the bill would take effect July 1.

General Assembly Republicans and trade associations representing sport hunters said the legislation effectively bans all modern firearms from being sold in the commonwealth.

Mr. Voska said lawmakers are using the term “assault weapon” to “develop fear in the general population to get these [bills] through. They’re basically deceiving people.”

Joe Jackson, who works for Trojan Arms in Manassas, said the bill taking aim at assault weapons would turn about 90% of his wares into illegal weapons.

“All the inventory, except for bolt-actions and some revolvers,” Mr. Jackson said. “And we even have some revolvers that come with the cylinder that can hold more than 10 rounds.”

Rod Hunnicutt, who used to work security for U.S. officials before starting his firearms academy Tactical Trash Pandas, said the laws don’t accomplish the goals laid out by politicians.

For instance, he said classifying a broad swath of weaponry as assault weapons is likely intended to cut down on potential school shootings. But Mr. Hunnicutt said assailants who target schools are often so untrained that passing magazine restrictions is the wrong way to prevent those atrocities.

Instead, he said the bill’s more believable outcome would “make me a criminal,” as well as the hundreds of other lawful gun owners browsing the gun show’s aisles.

Mr. Hunnicutt did note that bills requiring further training for firearm owners are a net positive for the state.

Another proposal working its way through the Legislature makes it a civil penalty to leave your gun in plain view inside your car.

Violators could be fined up to $500 if they keep a firearm out in the open in their vehicle.

Gun owner Matt Szramoski said he doesn’t know anyone who would break that law, and suggested it was designed to punish armed citizens who suffer a car break-in.

“If it gets stolen from your vehicle, they’re just going to hold you responsible for it so that the person that’s robbed will now be responsible. The victim will pay the price,” Mr. Szramoski said.

While the bills curtailing the types of weaponry for sale and storage methods garnered the most attention, lawmakers have ridiculed a proposal that puts gun manufacturers in the crosshairs.

Delegate Dan Helmer, Fairfax County Democrat, wants manufacturers to abide by new standards of “responsible conduct” that prevents firearms sales to people who are not allowed to own a gun.

That includes former felons, weapons traffickers and straw purchasers, or people who buy guns and then give them to a person who can’t pass a background check.

The bill was vague about what “responsible conduct” entails, but manufacturers who violate the proposal could face legal action from the state’s attorney general, their local commonwealth’s attorney or private citizens. The legislation passed the House by a 62-35 margin.

Delegate Jay Leftwich, Chesapeake Republican, said last week that the bill invites the possibility of a “tsunami of litigation” for gun manufacturers.

Ms. Elliott, the gun show organizer, said legal challenges may spare some of the bills from taking effect.

She said she thinks many of the proposals run afoul of the 2022 Supreme Court case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which enshrined greater protections for the Second Amendment nationwide.

But she noted that this episode does expose Ms. Spanberger as anything but a middle-of-the-road executive.

“It’s going to be a complete nightmare for Virginians, and I think Virginians needed to see this. We needed to see what a ’moderate’ Democrat is,” Ms. Elliott said.