Virginia Democrats Pass Strict Gun Control and Seizure Bill

As reported by the Washington Examiner:

Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly took another step toward restricting the lawful ownership of loosely defined "assault" weapons after a party-line vote in the House of Delegates.

House Bill 961, which passed by a vote of 51-48, would expand the definition of "assault firearm" and prohibit the sale or transfer of such weapons. The bill also expands restrictions on magazine sizes.

"HB 961 would make tens of thousands of gun owners in Virginia criminals overnight," Republican Del. Nick Freitas told the Washington Examiner. "This bill creates an environment where you could receive up to 12 months in jail for every magazine you have over 12 rounds. At the same time that Democrats are voting for early release programs for people convicted of first-degree murder and rape, they are criminalizing law-abiding gun owners."

In January, Senate Democrats passed three gun control bills that would restrict monthly gun purchases, expand background checks on firearms, and allow localities to ban guns in certain designated areas.

Democratic Del. Mark Levine introduced the legislation, which will now transfer to the Senate, where it is expected to pass before being signed into law by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam.

The Daily Caller had this to say:

Virginia residents who currently own these types of firearms will not be forced to participate in a mandatory buyback program as had initially been considered by state Democrats. However, the bill gives the state government the authority to confiscate certain types of magazines that are considered “high capacity.”

This is the second gun control package approved by the House in recent weeks. The legislature passed legislation late last month that included universal background checks, red flag laws, and a law limiting citizens of the Commonwealth to one firearm purchase a month. Both bills now head to the state senate, where Democrats hold a narrow 21-19 majority. Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has spoken out in support of both bills, and has made gun control a top priority for his remaining two years in office.

Gun control initiatives have been met with intense backlash in the Commonwealth, with 91 of the state’s 95 counties having declared themselves sanctuaries for the Second Amendment. A Second Amendment rally in the state’s capital of Richmond drew roughly 22,000 attendees.

Needless to say, the reactions from Virginians don't look good for the Dems: