Panel refers bill to appropriations that would bar firearm possession by people convicted of misdemeanor bias assaults

The subcommittee considered HB1015, which would prohibit people convicted of misdemeanor assaults motivated by race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or national origin from possessing firearms, ammunition or explosives. Sponsor Delegate Tran said the bill aims to close a loophole that allows someone convicted of a bias-motivated misdemeanor to continue accessing weapons.

Supporters included Falls Church councilor Dave Snyder and witnesses from Giffords and public-safety groups who said bias-motivated assaults perpetuate community trauma and that disarming such offenders is a measured step. Laurie Haas told the panel Virginia has previously made certain domestic-violence misdemeanors disqualifying and said courts already allow petitioning to restore rights in appropriate cases.

Opponents from gun-rights organizations including the Virginia Citizens Defense League argued that misdemeanors are, by definition, minor offenses and should not automatically remove a civil right; Patricia Webb and others urged the committee to oppose automatic disqualification for misdemeanor offenses.

After brief member discussion on how the misdemeanor classification would be applied and whether a path to restore rights should exist, the committee voted to report and refer HB1015 to the appropriations committee; the clerk announced that action in the record as “HB 10 15 reports and refers to appropriations on a vote of 6 to 3.”

What’s next: HB1015 was reported and referred to appropriations for further consideration; committee minutes and the bill text clarify the precise list of covered offenses and any restoration mechanisms.