GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 797, which amends the requirements for concealed handgun permits.

This legislation prohibits recognized and widely accepted firearm safety and training courses from being valid for evidence of demonstrated competence in firearms safety for obtaining a concealed handgun permit or training minors in pneumatic gun use. Consequently, this change could compromise Virginians' safety and increase the likelihood of individuals circumventing these requirements.

This legislation would necessitate the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to become the exclusive certifying agency for courses essential to prove competence for obtaining a concealed handgun permit. However, DCJS primarily serves as a criminal justice agency, and its firearm training and safety courses are tailored for that specific purpose, not addressing the broader needs of the general public.

Additionally, the new requirements establish barriers to determining competency, introducing bureaucratic obstacles that impede an individual's right to self-defense.

This additional government approval process, funded by taxpayer dollars, is despite the established effectiveness of existing certifications currently available.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.