Read here: What do Virginia gun owners think of state gun control proposals? Matt Delaney finds out

Matt Delaney: Bans on assault weapons, raising taxes on firearm sales, and creating penalties for those who don’t store their weapons properly have all been part of a sweeping package of bills put forward by Virginia lawmakers during this session’s General Assembly. Virginia Democrats have made regulating the firearms industry in the state a top priority during the early part of the year. We went to the Nation’s Gun Show at the Manassas Mall this past weekend to talk to gun dealers and gun owners about what they think about the proposals.

Matt Delaney: I’m Matt Delaney with the Washington Times and I am here with-

Matt Samoski: Matt Samoski.

Joe Jackson: Joe Jackson.

Paul: Paul from Black Widow Arms.

Annette Elliott: Annette Elliott. I am the president and owner of Showmasters Gun Shows.

Roderick Honeycutt: Roderick Honeycutt.

Matt Delaney: So Rod, what do we think about the new gun laws proposed in Virginia this term?

Roderick Honeycutt: Some of them make no sense and some I can kind of see.

Matt Samoski: For one, I think they’re unconstitutional and it’s very unfortunate. It’s just punishing law-abiding citizens and making it much harder for us to enjoy the shooting sports, protect our families.

Joe Jackson: Well, it’s really a shame because our country was founded on the U.S. Constitution.

Annette Elliott: I think it’s tyrannical. I think it’s one of the most aggressive policies towards law-abiding citizens.

Joe Jackson: Well, I think the gun laws that have been proposed in Virginia are a little bit unfair to the people that actually follow the laws.

Matt Delaney: And the ones that do make sense to you, which ones are those?

Roderick Honeycutt: I can see the one they’re talking about with the training beforehand. I can see the logic in that. I don’t understand the magazine ban. That’s going to make me a criminal and thousands of others in Virginia as well.

Annette Elliott: The taxes is another big one on the firearms: 11% on ammunition and on guns, $500 on a suppressor, when suppressors are used in 0.003% of crimes.

Joe Jackson: The sad part about it is the people they’re taking the guns away from or trying to prohibit ownership or limit ownership are the best people in the country. They have no records, they take care of themselves, they’re good citizens, they work, they pay taxes, they protect their families. And we’re vilified.

Paul: It’s like a community for everybody to come here. We don’t rule anybody out. Everybody gets vetted. There’s no loopholes here. And if you notice, when you look around, everybody does a very extensive background check to acquire the firearms.

Matt Delaney: Would that affect your inventory that you have?

Matt Samoski: It absolutely would. In fact, I don’t know a single gun owner that doesn’t have a firearm that would be banned under the new law if it passes.

Paul: I think it’s 217, HB 217, I think that’s Dan Helmer’s, the one that wants to ban any firearm that would accept a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds. That is 95% of modern firearms. It’ll put most of these gun shops, these small gun shops, out of business.

Matt Delaney: Would any of the firearms you have on display today qualify as assault weapons under the new law?

Paul: All of them. All of them.

Matt Delaney: There’s another one where it’s banning storage of guns in cars, I believe, or guns visible in the car. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with this.

Matt Samoski: All the responsible gun owners I know do not leave their guns in the open or car, but I believe that legislation, if it gets stolen from your vehicle, they’re just going to hold you responsible for it.

Joe Jackson: Well, the one they really gets under my skin is assault rifle ban. And an assault rifle is what I consider a Class 3 fully automatic firearm. That’s heavily regulated by the National Firearms Act of 1968.

Roderick Honeycutt: First of all, there’s no such thing as an assault weapon. It’s a media term.

Paul: So they’re using the language to contort the meaning to develop fear in the general population to get these things through.

Roderick Honeycutt: It’s one of those things where it just hurts the average citizen because we’re the ones following the rules, right? The bad guys are going to do what the bad guys are going to do. That’s why they’re bad guys.

Matt Delaney: You talk about the constitutionality of some of these proposals. Do you think they’ll withstand a test in court if they were to sue and challenge them there?

Matt Samoski: Honestly, I really feel they’re going to be shut down because they are unconstitutional. I think with the current mix of the General Assembly, they will pass legislation and our governor, who claimed she was going to be a moderate, has proved she’s not, and I’m sure she’s not going to veto it. So it is going to be up to the courts. I’m hoping, I don’t see how they can’t overturn the bill that’s unconstitutional, so I think for most of us gun owners, that’s where our hope’s going to be, in the courts.

Matt Delaney: Is there anything else you want to add I did not ask you about?

Roderick Honeycutt: It always changes. It’s another storm. Next election cycle it’ll be the other way around, then the next it’ll be the other way around. It’s life.

Paul: I would like to add this. Hey, we’re here at Trojan Arms. We support the Second Amendment and all those who love it.

Joe Jackson: No, I would ask anybody out in the world that is anti-gun and doesn’t like guns in society: go to a shooting range, meet some of the guys, talk to them. Learn where they’re coming from. Talk to all these veterans that put their life on the line to keep this country as free as it is. Seriously, go meet the local gun guys. If your neighbor’s a gun guy, shake his hand, have dinner with him. Get to meet the people.