Virginia [finally] allows hunting on Sunday

Newtown, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) today hailed the bipartisan accomplishment of both houses of the Virginia General Assembly for passing legislation that will allow hunting on private property on Sundays in the Commonwealth.

In the final step in the legislative process, the State Senate today by a 28-to-11 vote passed the repeal of the old 19th Century Blue Law preventing Sunday hunting. The House of Delegates passed the bill in January by a vote of 71 to 27. The bill now goes to Gov. Terry McAuliffe to be signed into law. The legislation allows Sunday hunting on private land during designated hunting seasons by hunters who have the written permission of landowners.

“Today’s Senate vote is a real accomplishment for sportsmen in Virginia, but it is equally a victory for the economy of the Commonwealth that will see a more than $120 million annual direct economic benefit as the result of hunters going afield on Sundays,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “We congratulate the legislators and we thank our partners from all the hunting and sportsmen’s organizations and those in the wildlife management organizations that worked to encourage citizens to contact their delegates and senators in support of this legislation.”