GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 466, relating reciprocity with other states regarding concealed handgun permits.

Virginia’s current system of concealed handgun permit reciprocity works. The Commonwealth recognizes valid concealed weapon permits issued by other states that meet certain conditions, and a sizeable majority of other states recognize Virginia’s concealed handgun permits.

The proposed legislation, however, targets law-abiding Virginia gun owners by restricting the number of states in which permit holders can carry handguns for self-defense, potentially discouraging gun owners from visiting the Commonwealth.

In 2015, the previous Attorney General unilaterally revoked concealed handgun permit reciprocity with twenty-five other states, using a law similar to the proposed legislation.

A few months later, the General Assembly came together in a bipartisan effort to restrict the previous Attorney General's authority in revoking permits. The agreement addressed limitations on firearm possession during protective orders, implemented heightened background checks at gun shows, and demonstrated bipartisan unity in navigating the complexities of firearm ownership and its effects on public safety.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.