Permitless concealed-carry measure laid on the table after testimony for and against

A bill seeking to remove the permit requirement for people who qualify to openly carry was presented to the committee by Delegate Doug Azare. He said the bill removes paperwork, fees and delays for citizens already eligible to open-carry and argued that many states with permitless-carry laws have not seen increases in violent crime, citing analyses he referenced in committee remarks.

Philip Van Cleave of the Virginia Citizens Defense League testified in favor, saying the proposal has been adopted in other states and "it works." Andrew Goddard of the Virginia Center for Public Safety testified in opposition, arguing that some permitless states have experienced increases in crime and noting that permitting provides a vetting step that could be lost if permits are eliminated.

Delegate Claudia Rizzo moved to lay the bill on the table; the motion was seconded and carried by a roll-call vote of 13 to 6, effectively pausing further consideration in this committee at this time.