The House Public Safety firearms subcommittee on Oct. 12 adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 1660, a measure that changes the statutory definition of "trigger activator." The substitute focuses on device effect rather than specific mechanisms, defining a trigger activator as "a conversion kit, tool, accessory, or device designed to alter the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm to mimic automatic weapon fire or to increase the rate of fire to a rate faster than such semiautomatic firearm can achieve when not equipped with a conversion kit, tool, accessory, or device."

Delegate Jones, who carried the original measure that passed last year targeting certain bump-fire devices, said the substitute "is just simply cleaning up language for a bill that was passed last year." He noted the substitute removed a sentence that had attempted to define the device by harnessing recoil energy and instead targeted the resulting rate of fire.

Supporters including Andrew Goddard of the Virginia Center for Public Safety and representatives of Brady, Moms Demand Action and Everytown argued the substitute is stronger because it reaches new designs that could mimic automatic fire. Goddard said the amendment "likes the idea of going after the result and not after specifics, so that you don't have to change every year when somebody comes up with a new version."

Opponents, including Philip Van Cleave of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Taylor McKee of the National Rifle Association and members of the Virginia Shooting Sports Association, questioned how enforcement would work and whether the substituted standard would capture legitimate accessories or fast shooters. Van Cleave asked, "Who gets to determine what mimics an automatic firearm rate of fire?" and raised concerns that rates vary by firearm.

The substitute was moved, seconded and adopted by voice. The subcommittee did not take a final vote to report the bill to the full committee; under the panel's procedural arrangement the full committee chair will decide which subcommittee bills with fiscal impacts to pull for full hearings. The chair indicated the bill is likely to be among those considered but left scheduling to the chair of the full committee.