Virginia Senate passes bill that would give gun owners $300 tax credit to buy safes
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — The Virginia Senate passed gun storage legislation that would give gun owners up to a $300 tax credit to lock up their firearms.
The bill, HB 2387, would allow gun owners to write off up to $300 a year on their state taxes when they buy “firearm safety devices," including gun safes, lock boxes and cases.
"Taxpayer shall be allowed only one credit under this section per taxable year. The taxpayer shall submit purchase receipts with the income tax return to verify the amount of purchase price paid for the firearm safety device or firearm safety devices," the bill states.
This comes after a classroom shooting allegedly committed by a 6-year-old at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News last month. Police said the child got access to a gun, shot and wounded a teacher.
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“We applaud the Senate for their responsiveness and bipartisan leadership to encourage responsible gun ownership by making secure storage more accessible,” said Mike Fox, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our communities are still reeling from the shooting at Richneck Elementary School and we hope that the House follows the Senate’s lead so we can continue taking steps to protect our kids and communities from gun violence.”
Earlier this year, a Democrat-led Virginia Senate panel voted to pass an amended bill requiring anyone possessing a gun in a residence with a child must keep both the firearm and any ammunition for it in a locked container.
SEE ALSO | Virginia Senate panel OKs gun bills after recent campus shootings
Sen. Jennifer Boysko who represents parts of Fairfax and Loudoun Counties said that bill is a “commonsense measure to save lives."
More information about secure storage can be found here.
