(HB799)<font size=-1>
<p>GOVERNOR'S VETO</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul><p>Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of
Virginia, I veto House Bill 799, which requires fingerprints to be submitted
with an application for a concealed handgun permit or a renewal of such a
permit.</p>

</ul><ul><p>This legislation targets individuals already subject to
background checks and mandatory training, creating superfluous and onerous
restrictions on responsible citizens exercising their Second Amendment right to
self-defense. Despite an existing comprehensive instant background check
system, this proposal would include an additional and redundant step in the
concealed carry permit process.</p>

</ul><ul><p>Moreover, while the legislation mandates the destruction of
fingerprints collected by the Commonwealth during the application process, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation retains these fingerprints for the individual's
lifetime. This record retention raises legitimate concerns regarding the
privacy and civil liberties of those seeking to exercise their Second Amendment
rights.</p>

</ul><ul><p>In 2012, in a bipartisan effort, the General Assembly repealed
the local option to mandate fingerprints for a concealed handgun permit,
recognizing the diminishing relevance of such requirements. This sensible shift
is overshadowed in the current hyper-partisan climate, especially considering
that concealed carry permit holders are known for being law-abiding citizens in
the Commonwealth.</p>

</ul><ul><p>Accordingly, I veto this bill. </p>

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