The 2018 General Assembly session is now concluding its third week. Several very important bills have already passed through the House and are on their way to the Senate. This week I will be providing you updates on several key issues that we are working hard to address such as keeping taxes low and protecting your Second Amendment right to bear arms.

On Thursday, I served as chairman of the first Militia, Police, and Public Safety, Firearms Subcommittee meeting this session. We saw many attempts to infringe on gun owner rights. My subcommittee defeated bills that dealt with the transfer of firearms, restoration of the one handgun per month law, prohibition of certain firearm magazines, repeal of last year’s reciprocity agreement and other liberal bills focused on making it harder to exercise your right to bear arms. I will continue to be a strong advocate for your Second Amendment rights.

Another gun-related topic will be coming before the House on Monday for a vote. Democrats want to prohibit law-abiding concealed-carry permit holders from exercising their right while sitting in the gallery during the House of Delegates session. I also do not support this proposed rule and will vote against it Monday. If you attend the General Assembly session and have a concealed carry permit, you should not be forced to leave your firearm in your car. Under the current rules, only citizens who have a concealed carry permit are allowed to carry a firearm in the House Gallery. Concealed carry permit holders account for less than one percent of all crimes committed with a gun. You can trust that I will always be a voice for gun owners while in Richmond.

Democrats have introduced three bills which all seek to raise your taxes. These bills would implement a tax on video streaming services (such as Netflix), reinstate the so-called “death tax” and implement a occupancy tax. Over the past 15 years, the Republican-controlled House has defeated more than $30 billion in tax increases. This year we will add to that number, and I continue my pledge to stand against these new tax hikes. You work hard for your money, and you should be allowed to keep more of your money.

My Legislative Aide, Nancy, and I are enjoying meeting with so many of you who have stopped by my Capitol office. This week we welcomed Sherry Spurlock, Amelia Education Association; Daphne Cole, with Nottoway Conservation Network; Dr. Amy Griffin, superintendent, and Chip Jones, with Cumberland County Public Schools; Lennice Worth, from Crewe; David Felts, of Amelia; Tim Ashlin and H.A. French, with Sunny Side Farms Hunt Club, stopped by; Dr. Paul Nichols, superintendent, and Wanda Bailey, school board member from Mecklenburg County Public Schools. We also had Charles and Ann Butts and son Remy, from South Hill, come by the office. Remy attended the Model General Assembly during the interim and was voted in by his peers to be Attorney General. They came back to the Capitol to meet with people who actually hold that position here in the capital city. If you happen to be in the Richmond area during this year’s General Assembly session please stop in and say hello.

I encourage you to keep in touch with me and my office over the coming months. I value the feedback you provide on a continual basis as it helps me do a better job of representing you.

Del. Tommy Wright can be reached via email at DelTWright@ house.virginia.gov or (804) 698-1061.