Bill Allowing Online Concealed Carry Training Fails in Virginia House

Virginia’s House of Delegates has rejected a bill that would have allowed concealed carry classes to be conducted online. House Bill 2414, introduced to modernize firearms training, failed to move forward, leaving gun owners and advocates disappointed.

The legislation proposed removing the requirement that applicants for concealed handgun permits demonstrate in-person competence with a firearm. Instead, it would have permitted live, interactive online classes, offering convenience for applicants without sacrificing safety standards. Proponents argued that online courses could expand access to training while maintaining rigorous instruction through virtual two-way video communication.

Delegate Delores Oates gives remarks to the House Public Safety – Firearms Committee for House Bill 2414.

Delegate Delores Oates, a staunch supporter of the bill, expressed frustration over its failure, criticizing what she described as a persistent bias against law-abiding gun owners. “We continue to portray concealed carry holders, and all gun owners, as the ‘bad guys,’” Oates stated. She emphasized that concealed carry permit holders are among the most law-abiding demographics in the United States, pointing to data that backs her claim.

Concealed Carry Holders: A Record of Responsibility

Studies consistently show that concealed carry permit holders commit crimes at significantly lower rates than the general population. Research by John Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, found that permit holders in states like Texas and Florida are six times less likely to commit crimes than police officers, who themselves have low rates of criminal activity. In Florida alone, only 10.4 permits are revoked annually per 100,000 holders due to misdemeanors or felonies.

Lott’s findings underscore a key point for advocates: those who obtain concealed carry permits are exceptionally careful and law-abiding. They are often even more cautious than police officers, with firearm violations occurring at a fraction of the rate among permit holders compared to law enforcement.

Critics of the bill, however, remain skeptical of loosening in-person requirements for firearm training, citing safety concerns and the potential for misuse.

Guns, Crime, and Safety

Despite these concerns, many studies have dispelled the myth that more guns lead to more crime. In fact, concealed carry holders have been credited with deterring criminal activity and, in rare cases, intervening in active shooting situations. An FBI study of active shooter incidents from 2016 to 2017 revealed that concealed carry holders were able to intervene in several cases, safely stopping shooters or holding them at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived.

Advocates for HB2414 believed that expanding training options through online platforms would help educate more individuals, ultimately improving public safety. Opponents countered that in-person training is crucial for ensuring competence and accountability.

The Path Forward

Delegate Oates lamented the lack of progress on what she called “common sense” gun legislation, noting the discrepancy between public perception and the reality of concealed carry holders’ behavior. “We’re well overdue for reforms that respect law-abiding gun owners, but unfortunately, we won’t be seeing them this year,” she said.

While HB2414 failed to advance, the debate highlights the ongoing tension in balancing public safety with Second Amendment rights. For now, the requirement for in-person firearms training in Virginia remains unchanged, leaving the question of how best to modernize concealed carry laws unanswered.