WHEREAS, although firearm-related deaths have generally declined across the United States over the past 20 years, in 2014, the reported rate of firearm-related deaths in the Commonwealth exceeded the rate of the national average; and
WHEREAS, the reported rate of firearm-related deaths has increased in the Commonwealth between 2012 and 2014; and
WHEREAS, there are six states and the District of Colombia that currently require registration of some or all firearms and all six states, but not the District of Colombia, have lower rates of firearm-related deaths than the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to study the feasibility and costs of establishing a firearm registration program for firearms purchased in the Commonwealth, along with the potential efficacy of firearm registration in reducing firearm-related deaths and injuries, to determine if a firearm registration program would reduce firearm-related deaths and injuries in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia State Crime Commission be directed to study the feasibility and costs of establishing a firearm registration program for firearms purchased in the Commonwealth, along with the potential efficacy of firearm registration in reducing firearm-related deaths and injuries.
In conducting its study, the Virginia State Crime Commission (the Commission) shall investigate and determine, to the extent possible, the feasibility of a statewide firearm registration program and how best to establish and maintain such a program; the costs to establish and maintain such a program; and the potential efficacy of a firearm registration program as a public safety measure to reduce firearm-related deaths and injuries.
Technical assistance shall be provided to the Commission by the Virginia State Police. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.
The Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2017, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2018 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.