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Bill to exempt Real ID holders from 30‑day wait for firearm dealer transactions tabled
Summary
Delegate Zier’s HB 2145 would let a Real ID credential be used immediately for dealer-processed firearm transfers rather than triggering a 30‑day waiting period; the subcommittee laid the bill on the table 7–0 for redrafting.
Delegate Zier offered HB 2145 and a substitute to update a section of Virginia law that imposes a 30‑day delay when a newly issued or reissued identification is presented at the time of a firearm purchase through a dealer. The substitute would permit a Real ID credential, which reflects more stringent identity verification, to be accepted immediately and avoid the 30‑day waiting period.
“Rather than those folks having to, for example, put their firearms in storage if they've left another state, they can now, you know, just come on become a Virginia citizen, pack all their stuff in 1 truck and come,” Zier said, describing relocation examples where owners already legally possessed firearms but faced a 30‑day delay.
Philip Van Cleve of the Virginia Citizens Defense League and witnesses from the Virginia Shooting Sports Association and the National Rifle Association supported the bill, saying Real ID reflects a stronger burden of proof and modernized DMV systems make the delay unnecessary.
Members and counsel questioned whether the current statute already covers renewed or reissued driver’s licenses and whether the substitute accomplishes the sponsor’s intent. Given the drafting and statutory interpretation questions, the chairman and members said they would work with the sponsor on language; the subcommittee voted to lay the bill on the table 7–0.
Votes at a glance: HB 2145 tabled 7–0; sponsors signaled intent to refine language.
