Anti-Gun “Gag Act” Legislation Defeated in Virginia General Assembly

Jan 28, 2022

Richmond, VA – After passing out of the House Privileges and Elections Subcommittee by a 7-1 vote, the anti-gun and anti-free speech “Gag Act” bill (HB 500) was defeated after Republican bill sponsor Tim Anderson pulled his legislation from further consideration.

“On its face, HB 500 might not appear to deal with gun rights, but any legislation designed to protect the political class and silence the ability of citizens to lobby their lawmakers during an election cycle is blatantly unconstitutional and an assault on our rights,” said Dudley Brown, President of the National Association for Gun Rights. “Gag Act bills intentionally stifle free speech and unduly hamper the ability of citizens and advocacy groups to openly discuss a politician’s voting record – especially their record on gun rights.”

Virginia’s Gag Act legislation would have required any person or organization that mentions a candidate’s name 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election, to register and file reports with the government, even if it is for the purpose of direct electioneering.

Furthermore, it labeled issue advocacy (which is simply reporting the voting record of politicians before an election) as electioneering communications – a clear violation of recent Supreme Court precedence on the issue of free speech.

“Law-abiding gun owners in Virginia are taking back the commonwealth – and the grassroots lobbying efforts of our Virginia members killed this heinous legislation. They used their First Amendment rights to protect the Second Amendment – and that’s exactly why we will always oppose Gag Act bills regardless of state they pop up in,” concluded Brown.

The National Association for Gun Rights is the nation’s largest “no compromise” pro-gun organization, with 4.5 million members nationwide.

###

Trending | Now

South Carolina Becomes 29th Constitutional Carry State

South Carolina Becomes 29th Constitutional Carry State

Columbia, SC – After over a decade of debate, Constitutional Carry House Bill 3594 was signed into law this afternoon. South Carolina joins 28 other states in passing this bill deemed a “big win” by gun owners and many Second Amendment organizations such as the...

Constitutional Carry Advances to Governor’s Desk

Constitutional Carry Advances to Governor’s Desk

Columbia, SC – House Bill 3594 has just been passed by the South Carolina Senate by a margin of 28 to 18. It now heads to the Governor’s desk where upon his signing, will make South Carolina the 29th Constitutional Carry state, the last Republican held state to do...

Constitutional Carry Advances Out of Conference Committee

Constitutional Carry Advances Out of Conference Committee

Columbia, SC – House Bill 3594 has passed out of the Conference Committee. The committee report was subsequently adopted by the House of Representatives. Once the Senate adopts the report, HB 3594 will go to Governor McMaster to be signed into law.“Gun...

Biden Administration creating White House Gun Control Office  

Biden Administration creating White House Gun Control Office  

Washington, D.C.- Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Biden Administration will be announcing the formation of an office of gun violence prevention on Friday of this week.Reports are that the office will be staffed with gun control activists from groups such...

Obama-appointed Judges Rule in Favor of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners

Obama-appointed Judges Rule in Favor of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners

Gun control extremists get a reality check as the Tenth Circuit DENIES Governor Polis’ motion to reverse RMGO’s recent preliminary injunction halting SB23 -169 from becoming the law of the land in Colorado. DENVER, CO – Yesterday, Governor Polis and his anti-gun...

National Association for Gun Rights Files Lawsuit against the ATF

National Association for Gun Rights Files Lawsuit against the ATF

Washington, D.C.- Today the National Association for Gun Rights filed a lawsuit against the ATF, National Association for Gun Rights v. Garland, in federal court in the Northern District of Texas. This action was filed in the same appellate circuit that ruled earlier...

Donate Now

Trending | NAGR Social Media