138 total bills, 31 anti-gun bills,
41 pro-gun bills for this session
Proposed Virginia Firearm Legislation
138 total bills, 31 anti-gun bills,
41 pro-gun bills for this session
2012-2013 Session2014-2015 Session2016-2017 Session2018-2019 Session2020-2021 Session2022-2023 Session2024-2025 Session
Filter: Click on bill number for details. jump to upper chamber
note: Virginia does not carry over legislation from session to session
Title: Assault firearms & certain ammunition, etc.; purchase, possession, sale, transfer, etc., prohibited.
Description: Purchase, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm, as that term is defined in the bill, and prohibits a person who has been convicted of such violation from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm for a period of three years from the date of conviction. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, or was manufactured before July 1, 2024. The bill also prohibits the sale of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, or transfers a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person younger than 21 years of age to import, sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, transport, or transfer an assault firearm regardless of the date of manufacture of such assault firearm.
Last Action: House sustained Governor's veto
Last Action Date: April 17, 2024
Title: Resident concealed handgun permits; fees.
Description: Fees for resident concealed handgun permits. Eliminates the fees that may be charged for the processing of an application for or issuing of a resident concealed handgun permit, including any costs associated with the clerk's consultation with law-enforcement agencies.
Last Action: Left in Appropriations
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Concealed handgun permits; penalties.
Description: Concealed handgun permits; penalties. Changes the penalty for a first violation of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a civil penalty of not more than $100, a second violation from a Class 6 felony to a Class 2 misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent violation from a Class 5 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also provides that a person, unless otherwise disqualified, shall not be precluded from applying for a concealed handgun permit during the pendency of the proceedings for a violation. If such person is issued a valid concealed handgun permit while a charge for a violation is pending, he may offer such permit to the court, and the court may dismiss the charge.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (10-Y 5-N)
Last Action Date: February 21, 2022
Title: Handguns; limitation on purchases.
Description: Purchase of handguns; limitation on handgun purchases. Removes the prohibition on any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a violation of this provision, subject to certain exemptions.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearm or explosive material; carrying within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, etc.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; exception for concealed handgun permit holders. Adds an exception for persons who have been issued a valid concealed handgun permit by the Commonwealth to the prohibition of carrying a firearm within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Public Safety (12-Y 9-N)
Last Action Date: January 19, 2024
Title: Military honor guards and veterans service organizations; paramilitary activities, exception.
Description: Military honor guards and veterans service organizations; paramilitary activities; exception. Exempts members of a lawfully recognized military color guard, honor guard, or similar organization, and members of a veterans service organization that is congressionally chartered or officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, when such member is participating in a training or educational exercise, funeral, or public ceremony on behalf of such military color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or veterans service organization, from the crime of unlawful paramilitary activity unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0038)
Last Action Date: April 1, 2022
Title: Auto sears and trigger activators; prohibition on manufacture, importation, sale, etc., penalty.
Description: Manufacture, importation, sale, etc., of auto sears; prohibition; penalty. Prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale or offer to sell, possession, transfer, or transportation of an auto sear, defined in the bill as a device, other than a trigger activator, for use in converting a semi-automatic firearm to shoot automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. A violation is punishable as a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides for the forfeiture of any auto sear concealed, possessed, transported, or carried in violation of the prohibition.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0163)
Last Action Date: March 26, 2024
Title: Weapons; possession or transportation into facility that provides mental health services, etc.
Description: Weapons; possession or transportation; facility that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to possess in or transport into any facility that provides mental health services or developmental services in the Commonwealth, including a hospital or an emergency department or other facility rendering emergency medical care, any (i) firearm or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind; (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches; or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives and stun weapons. The bill provides that any such firearm, knife, explosive, or weapon is subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and specifies exceptions to the prohibition. Weapons; possession or transportation; facility that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to possess in or transport into any facility that provides mental health services or developmental services in the Commonwealth, including a hospital or an emergency department or other facility rendering emergency medical care, any (i) firearm or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind; (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches; or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives and stun weapons. The bill provides that any such firearm, knife, explosive, or weapon is subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and specifies exceptions to the prohibition.
Last Action: Incorporated by Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 2, 2024
Title: Firearms; control by localities of possession or carrying.
Description: Control of firearms by localities. Removes Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Suspended sentence or probation; violation of the terms and conditions, technical violations.
Description: Violation of the terms and conditions of a suspended sentence or probation; technical violations; penalty. Removes from the definition of technical violation, used for the purposes of limiting the amount of active incarceration a court can impose as a result of a revocation hearing for a probation violation, violations based on a probationer's failure to (i) refrain from the use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances or related paraphernalia; (ii) refrain from the use, ownership, possession, or transportation of a firearm; (iii) gain permission to change his residence or remain in the Commonwealth or other designated area without permission of the probation officer; or (iv) maintain contact with the probation officer whereby his whereabouts are no longer known to the probation officer. Accordingly, if a court finds that a violation of the terms and conditions of a suspended sentence or probation is based on such no-longer-technical violations, the court may revoke the suspension and impose or resuspend any or all of the period previously suspended.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Gun violence; JLARC to study effects on communities.
Description: Study; JLARC; effects of gun violence on communities; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the social, physical, emotional, and economic effects of gun violence on communities across the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms or other weapons; possession on school property.
Description: Possession of firearms or other weapons on school property. Removes preschools and licensed child day centers that are not operated at the residence of the provider or of any of the children from the list of schools where possessing a firearm or other weapon on school property or on a school bus is prohibited.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms; sale and transfer, criminal history record information check delay.
Description: Sale and transfer of firearms; criminal history record information check delay. Decreases from five business days to three business days the time provided for the Department of State Police to complete a background check before a firearm may be transferred. If a dealer who has otherwise fulfilled all requirements is told by the State Police that a response will not be available by the end of the dealer's third business day, the dealer may complete the sale or transfer without being deemed in violation.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 28, 2022
Title: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.
Description: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required. Allows any person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun openly within the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence.
Description: Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence. Removes the requirement that concealed handgun permit applicants demonstrate competence with a handgun by completing an in-person course and adds the option for applicants to demonstrate competence by completing an electronic, video, or online course conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Handguns; limitation on purchases.
Description: Purchase of handguns; limitation on handgun purchases. Removes the prohibition on any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a violation of this provision, subject to certain exemptions.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms; reporting lost or stolen, civil penalty.
Description: Reporting lost or stolen firearms; civil penalty. Repeals the requirement that, if a firearm is lost or stolen from a person who lawfully possessed it, such person shall report the loss or theft of the firearm to any local law-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police within 48 hours after such person discovers the loss or theft or is informed by a person with personal knowledge of the loss or theft. Under current law, a violation is punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $250.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (8-Y 7-N)
Last Action Date: February 28, 2022
Title: School board property, certain; repeals establishment of gun-free zone.
Description: Certain school board property; establishment of gun-free zone permitted. Removes the authority of any school board to deem any non-school zone building or property that it owns or leases where employees of such school board are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties as a gun-free zone. Under current law, any school board may prohibit any individual, subject to exceptions, from knowingly possessing, purchasing, transferring, carrying, storing, or transporting firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof while such individual is upon such property.
Last Action: Left in Education
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Plastic firearms and unfinished frames, etc.; manufacture, import, sale, transfer, etc., penalties.
Description: Manufacture, import, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms; penalties. Creates a Class 5 felony for any person who manufactures, imports, sells, transfers, or possesses any firearm with a major component, as defined in the bill, that when subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices, including X-ray machines, commonly used at airports for security screening does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the component. The bill updates language regarding the types of detection devices that are used at airports for detecting plastic firearms. Manufacture, import, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms; penalties. Creates a Class 5 felony for any person who manufactures, imports, sells, transfers, or possesses any firearm with a major component, as defined in the bill, that when subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices, including X-ray machines, commonly used at airports for security screening does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the component. The bill updates language regarding the types of detection devices that are used at airports for detecting plastic firearms. The bill also creates several Class 1 misdemeanors, which are punishable as a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense, making it unlawful (i) for any person to knowingly possess, transport, or receive an unfinished frame or receiver unless the party possessing or receiving the unfinished frame or receiver is a federal firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer or the unfinished frame or receiver is required by federal law to be, and has been, imprinted with a serial number by a federal firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer and (ii) for any person to knowingly sell, offer to sell, transfer, or purchase an unfinished frame or receiver unless the party selling, offering to sell, transferring, or purchasing the unfinished frame or receiver is a federal firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer or the unfinished frame or receiver is required by federal law to be, and has been, imprinted with a serial number by a federal firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer. The provisions related to the prohibition for possessing, transporting, or receiving an unfinished frame or receiver have a delayed effected date of January 1, 2023.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Concealed weapons; permit not required for members of the United States Armed Forces.
Description: Carrying concealed weapons; members of the United States Armed Forces; permit not required. Provides that current members of the United States Armed Forces are not required to obtain a concealed handgun permit in order to carry a concealed weapon.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms; control by localities of possession or carrying.
Description: Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others. Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk, penalties.
Description: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk; penalties. Repeals the procedure by which any attorney for the Commonwealth or law-enforcement officer may apply to a general district court, circuit court, or juvenile and domestic relations district court judge or magistrate for an emergency substantial risk order to prohibit a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to himself or others from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm. The bill also removes the substantial risk order registry for the entry of orders issued.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 28, 2022
Title: Capitol Square and the surrounding area, etc.; carrying a firearm or explosive material within area.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty. Repeals the prohibition on carrying a firearm or explosive material within (i) the Capitol of Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area; (iii) any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; or (iv) any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to carry a firearm or explosive material within these areas, subject to certain exceptions, including the following individuals while acting in the conduct of such person's official duties: any law-enforcement officer, any authorized security personnel, any active military personnel, any fire marshal when such fire marshal has been granted police powers, or any member of a cadet corps while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Malicious prosecution; creates civil cause of action, self-defense.
Description: Civil action for malicious prosecution; self-defense. Creates a civil cause of action for malicious prosecution in any case in which a criminal defendant charged with aggravated murder, murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, or voluntary manslaughter is found to have acted solely in self-defense. The bill provides that such cause of action shall lie against the prosecutor who brought the charges or prosecuted such criminal case if such criminal defendant can prove that such prosecution was malicious and motivated by reasons other than bringing the alleged defendant to justice.
Last Action: Stricken from docket by Courts of Justice (18-Y 0-N)
Last Action Date: January 28, 2022
Title: Firearms; storage in residence where minor present, penalty.
Description: Storage of firearms in residence where minor present; penalty. Requires any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows or reasonably should know that a minor under 18 years of age is present to store such firearm unloaded in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet, and to store all ammunition in a separate locked container, compartment, or cabinet. The bill requires that the key or combination to such locked containers, compartments, or cabinets be inaccessible to minors. The bill provides that a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in a case where there is more than one firearm stored in violation of these provisions, each firearm shall constitute a separate Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts any person in lawful possession of a firearm who exercises immediate control, defined in the bill, and when the firearm is an antique firearm. Storage of firearms in residence where minor present; penalty. Requires any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows or reasonably should know that a minor under 18 years of age is present to store such firearm unloaded in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet, and to store all ammunition in a separate locked container, compartment, or cabinet. The bill requires that the key or combination to such locked containers, compartments, or cabinets be inaccessible to minors. The bill provides that a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in a case where there is more than one firearm stored in violation of these provisions, each firearm shall constitute a separate Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts any person in lawful possession of a firearm who exercises immediate control, defined in the bill, and when the firearm is an antique firearm.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Concealed handgun permits; change certain penalties.
Description: Concealed handgun permits; penalties. Changes the penalty for a first violation of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a civil penalty of not more than $100, a second violation from a Class 6 felony to a civil penalty of not more than $500, and a third or subsequent violation from a Class 5 felony to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. The bill also provides that a person, unless otherwise disqualified, shall not be precluded from applying for a concealed handgun permit during the pendency of the proceedings for a violation. If such person is issued a valid concealed handgun permit while a charge is pending, he may offer such permit to the court and the court may dismiss the charge.
Last Action: Stricken from docket by Public Safety (20-Y 1-N)
Last Action Date: February 11, 2022
Title: Retail Sales and Use Tax; extends sunset date for exemption of aircraft components.
Description: Sales and use tax exemption; aircraft components. Extends from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2027, the sunset date for the sales and use tax exemption for parts, engines, and supplies used for maintaining, repairing, or reconditioning aircraft or any aircraft's avionics system, engine, or component parts.
Last Action: Left in Finance
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Early Identification System (EIS); DCJS to establish.
Description: Conduct of law-enforcement officers; establishment of an Early Identification System. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department) to establish a best practices model for the implementation, training, and management of an Early Identification System (EIS). The bill defines an EIS as a system through which a law-enforcement agency collects and manages data to identify and assess patterns of behavior, including misconduct and high-risk behavior, or performance of law-enforcement officers and law-enforcement agency employees. The bill directs each sheriff or chief of police to implement an EIS by July 1, 2024, and requires that law-enforcement officers receive training prior to implementation of the EIS and annually thereafter. The bill also directs the Department to establish and administer written policies and procedures for law-enforcement agencies to report to the Office of the Attorney General all judgments or settlements in cases relating to negligence or misconduct of a law-enforcement officer.
Last Action: Tabled in Public Safety (11-Y 10-N)
Last Action Date: February 11, 2022
Title: Controlled substances; reduces penalties for possession.
Description: Possession of controlled substances; penalties. Reduces the penalty for possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance from a Class 5 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor and the penalty for possession of a Schedule IV or V controlled substance from a Class 2 misdemeanor and a Class 3 misdemeanor, respectively, to a Class 4 misdemeanor. Consequently, the bill removes felony violations of possession of a controlled substance committed on or after July 1, 2022, from the definition of barrier crime related to criminal history checks for eligibility for various types of employment, to volunteer or provide certain services, or to establish or operate certain types of regulated businesses. Possession of controlled substances; penalties. Reduces the penalty for possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance from a Class 5 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor and the penalty for possession of a Schedule IV or V controlled substance from a Class 2 misdemeanor and a Class 3 misdemeanor, respectively, to a Class 4 misdemeanor. Consequently, the bill removes felony violations of possession of a controlled substance committed on or after July 1, 2022, from the definition of barrier crime related to criminal history checks for eligibility for various types of employment, to volunteer or provide certain services, or to establish or operate certain types of regulated businesses. The bill also provides that, for the purposes of the offense of possession of controlled substances, the term "controlled substance" does not include mere residue of any drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through VI that is not a usable quantity or a countable dosage unit. The bill also limits the previous convictions that make a person ineligible for disposition under the first offender statute to a previous conviction for possession of a controlled substance or manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance. Under current law, a previous conviction for any drug-related criminal offense or for an offense under any statute of the United States or of any state relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, or stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic drugs makes a person ineligible for such disposition. The bill also amends the required conditions of probation under the first offender statute. The bill changes the penalty for an attempt to commit a felony drug offense from imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 10 years to a Class 6 felony and removes the felony offenses for a prisoner to secrete or have in his possession any chemical compound that he has not lawfully received, any Schedule III controlled substance, or marijuana. The bill makes secreting or possessing a controlled substance or marijuana by a prisoner punishable the same as possession of such controlled substances or marijuana by a person who is not in prison. The bill contains technical amendments.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Arrest/prosecution of individual experiencing mental health emerg.; assault against law enforcement.
Description: Arrest and prosecution of individual experiencing a mental health emergency; assault or assault and battery against a law-enforcement officer. Provides that no individual shall be subject to arrest or prosecution for an assault or assault and battery against a law-enforcement officer if at the time of the assault or assault and battery (i) the individual (a) is experiencing a mental health emergency or (b) meets the criteria for issuance of an emergency custody order and (ii) the law-enforcement officer subject to the assault or assault and battery was responding to a call for service requesting assistance for such individual. The bill provides that no law-enforcement officer acting in good faith shall be found liable for false arrest if it is later determined that the person arrested was immune from prosecution. Arrest and prosecution of individual experiencing a mental health emergency; assault or assault and battery against a law-enforcement officer. Provides that no individual shall be subject to arrest or prosecution for an assault or assault and battery against a law-enforcement officer if at the time of the assault or assault and battery (i) the individual (a) is experiencing a mental health emergency or (b) meets the criteria for issuance of an emergency custody order and (ii) the law-enforcement officer subject to the assault or assault and battery was responding to a call for service requesting assistance for such individual. The bill provides that no law-enforcement officer acting in good faith shall be found liable for false arrest if it is later determined that the person arrested was immune from prosecution.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Search warrants; removes certain provisions in regard to execution of warrants.
Description: Search warrants; execution. Removes provisions requiring that search warrants for the search of any place of abode be executed by initial entry of the abode only in the daytime hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Last Action: Failed to pass in House
Last Action Date: March 12, 2022
Title: Capital murder; death penalty for willful, deliberate, etc., killing of a law-enforcement officer.
Description: Capital murder; death penalty for the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of a law-enforcement officer. Authorizes punishment by death for the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of a law-enforcement officer.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Retail Sales and Use Tax; exemption for essential personal hygiene products.
Description: Sales and use tax; exemption for essential personal hygiene products. Provides a sales and use tax exemption for essential personal hygiene products, defined in the bill as (i) nondurable incontinence products such as diapers, disposable undergarments, pads, and bed sheets and (ii) menstrual cups and pads, panty liners, sanitary napkins, tampons, and other products used to absorb or contain menstrual flow. Under current law, such products are taxed at a reduced state sales and use tax rate of 1.5 percent and the standard local rate of one percent. The bill contains technical amendments.
Last Action: Tabled in Finance (16-Y 5-N)
Last Action Date: February 2, 2022
Title: Hunting with steel-jawed traps; prohibition, penalty.
Description: Hunting with steel-jawed traps; prohibition; penalty. Prohibits the use of steel-jawed traps when hunting; a violation of the prohibition is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Last Action: Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Search warrants; execution.
Description: Search warrants; execution. Changes the hours of execution of a search warrant for the search of any place of abode from the daytime hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Search warrants; execution. Changes the hours of execution of a search warrant for the search of any place of abode from the daytime hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Last Action: Continued to 2022 Sp. Sess. 1 pursuant to HJR455
Last Action Date: March 12, 2022
Title: Bail for a person accused of a crime that is an act of violence; notice to attorney.
Description: Bail for a person accused of a crime that is an act of violence; notice to attorney for the Commonwealth. Requires a magistrate to transmit within 24 hours a copy of the checklist for bail determination form to the attorney for the Commonwealth when a magistrate conducts a bail hearing for a person arrested on a warrant or capias for an act of violence. The bill also provides that transmission of such copy to the attorney for the Commonwealth may be by facsimile or other electronic means.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0047)
Last Action Date: April 1, 2022
Title: Suspended sentence; limitation on sentence upon revocation, technical violations, penalty.
Description: Limitation on sentence upon revocation of suspension of sentence; technical violations; penalty. Specifies that a violation of the terms and conditions of a suspended sentence or probation based on a defendant's failure to refrain from the use, possession, or distribution of a Schedule I or II controlled substance shall not be considered a technical violation. Accordingly, a court is not subject to the limitations on the amount of active incarceration it can impose as a result of a revocation hearing based on such violation and may revoke the suspension and impose or resuspend any or all of the period previously suspended. Currently, a defendant's failure to refrain from the use, possession, or distribution of any controlled substance or paraphernalia is a technical violation.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 28, 2022
Title: Gun Violence Survivor Assistance Fund and Grant Program; established.
Description: Gun Violence Survivor Assistance Fund and Grant Program. Establishes the Gun Violence Survivor Assistance Fund and Grant Program, to be administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for the purpose of providing grants to gun violence survivors who are in need of financial assistance to make accessibility adaptations to their homes to accommodate a disability resulting from a gun violence-related injury.
Last Action: Tabled in Public Safety (12-Y 10-N)
Last Action Date: February 9, 2022
Title: Admission to bail; rebuttable presumptions against bail.
Description: Admission to bail; rebuttable presumptions against bail. Creates a rebuttable presumption against bail for certain criminal offenses enumerated in the bill and for persons identified as being illegally present in the United States by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who are charged with certain offenses. The bill also provides that a magistrate, clerk, or deputy clerk of a district court or circuit court shall not admit to bail, that is not set by a judge, any person who is charged with an offense giving rise to a rebuttable presumption against bail without the concurrence of an attorney for the Commonwealth. The bill also requires the court to consider specified factors when determining whether the presumption against bail has been rebutted and whether there are appropriate conditions of release.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Admission to bail; rebuttable presumptions against bail.
Description: Admission to bail; rebuttable presumptions against bail. Creates a rebuttable presumption against bail for certain criminal offenses enumerated in the bill and for persons identified as being illegally present in the United States by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who are charged with certain offenses. The bill also requires the court to consider specified factors when determining whether the presumption against bail has been rebutted and whether there are appropriate conditions of release.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 28, 2022
Title: Law-enforcement agencies; acquisition of military property.
Description: Acquisition of certain military property by law-enforcement agencies. Changes the limitation on the acquisition or purchase of military property by a law-enforcement agency from firearms of .50 caliber or higher to rifles of .50 caliber or higher and from ammunition of .50 caliber or higher to rifle ammunition of .50 caliber or higher.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0375)
Last Action Date: April 11, 2022
Title: Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention, Virginia Center for; established.
Description: Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention; Virginia Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund; creation. Establishes the Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention (the Center) within the Department of Criminal Justice Services and transfers to the Center the administration of the existing Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms; control by localities of possession or carrying.
Description: Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others. Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 28, 2022
Title: Group violence intervention; definition, Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund created.
Description: Group violence intervention; establishment of Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund. Creates the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund (the Fund) to be managed by the Office of the Attorney General. The bill provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used to implement violent crime reduction strategies, to provide training for law-enforcement officers and prosecutors, to provide equipment for law-enforcement agencies, and to award grants to organizations that are involved in group violence intervention efforts. The bill defines "group violence intervention" as comprehensive law-enforcement, prosecutorial, and community-based initiatives, substantially similar to Operation Ceasefire as implemented in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Gang Reduction Programs implemented in Los Angeles, California, and Richmond. Group violence intervention; establishment of Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund. Creates the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund (the Fund) to be managed by the Office of the Attorney General. The bill provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used to implement violent crime reduction strategies, to provide training for law-enforcement officers and prosecutors, to provide equipment for law-enforcement agencies, and to award grants to organizations that are involved in group violence intervention efforts. The bill defines "group violence intervention" as comprehensive law-enforcement, prosecutorial, and community-based initiatives, substantially similar to Operation Ceasefire as implemented in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Gang Reduction Programs implemented in Los Angeles, California, and Richmond.
Last Action: Continued to 2022 Sp. Sess. 1 pursuant to HJR455
Last Action Date: March 12, 2022
Title: Group violence intervention; definition, Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund created.
Description: Group violence intervention; establishment of Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund. Creates the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund (the Fund) to be managed by the Office of the Attorney General. The bill provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used to implement violent crime reduction strategies, to provide training for law-enforcement officers and prosecutors, to provide equipment for law-enforcement agencies, and to award grants to organizations that are involved in group violence intervention efforts. The bill defines "group violence intervention" as comprehensive law-enforcement, prosecutorial, and community-based initiatives, substantially similar to Operation Ceasefire as implemented in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Gang Reduction Programs implemented in Los Angeles, California, and Richmond.
Last Action: Continued to 2022 Sp. Sess. 1 pursuant to HJR455
Last Action Date: March 12, 2022
Title: Retail Sales and Use tax; exemption for incontinence products.
Description: Sales and use tax; exemption for incontinence products. Provides a sales and use tax exemption for nondurable incontinence products such as diapers, disposable undergarments, pads, and bed sheets. Under current law, such products are taxed at a reduced state sales and use tax rate of 1.5 percent and the standard local rate of one percent.
Last Action: Tabled in Finance (14-Y 7-N)
Last Action Date: February 2, 2022
Title: Local law enforcement; certain reports to school principals and division superintendents.
Description: Local law enforcement; certain reports to school principals and division superintendents; form and scope. Requires local law-enforcement authorities to report in writing, and the principal or his designee and the division superintendent to receive each such report, on (i) any suspected offense, offense for which any charge has been filed, or offense that is subject to investigation, that was committed by a student enrolled at the school if the offense would be a felony if committed by an adult or would be a violation of the Drug Control Act and occurred on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity, or would be an adult misdemeanor involving certain enumerated incidents, and (ii) whether the student is released to the custody of his parent or, if 18 years of age or older, is released on bond. Current law does not require such reports to be in writing and only applies to student offenses but does not specify whether such reports are required to be made for student offenses that are suspected, charged, or subject to investigation.
Last Action: Stricken from docket by Education (22-Y 0-N)
Last Action Date: February 2, 2022
Title: Elections; local electoral boards & general registrars to perform certain risk-limiting audits, etc.
Description: Elections; conduct of election; election results; risk-limiting audits. Requires local electoral boards and general registrars to perform certain risk-limiting audits, defined in the bill, under the supervision of the Department of Elections and in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the State Board of Elections with a risk limit of at least 10 percent. The bill provides that localities are required to participate in such audits at least once every five years. The bill also provides that the Department shall submit a report on the results of such audits to the State Board. The provisions of the bill requiring that such audits be conducted (i) for at least one randomly selected contested race for the General Assembly in the year of a general election for members of the General Assembly and (ii) for any other contested race that is necessary to ensure that each locality participates in a risk-limiting audit of an office within its jurisdiction at least once every five years or that the State Board finds appropriate have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2023. The provision of the bill requiring that such audits be conducted for at least one randomly selected contested race for an office that requires certification by the State Board in the year of general election for any local office has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2024. The bill also requires the Department to convene a work group to consider and propose a process and timeline for implementing risk-limiting audits of statewide contests.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0443)
Last Action Date: April 11, 2022
Title: Handgun purchases; limitation, exemptions, penalty.
Description: Limitation on handgun purchases; exemptions; penalty. Adds a federal law-enforcement officer to the list of those exempted from the prohibition on purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms, certain; transfer, criminal history record information check exemption.
Description: Transfer of certain firearms; criminal history record information check; exemption. Provides that persons who hold a federal firearms license Type 03 - Collector of Curios and Relics are exempt from the criminal history record information check requirements to purchase certain firearms.
Last Action: Left in Appropriations
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: School principals; incident reports, violent offenses.
Description: School principals; incident reports; violent offenses. School principals; incident reports; violent offenses. Requires that school principals report to law enforcement any felony offenses and violent offenses enumerated in the bill that may constitute a criminal offense. Under the bill, principals have discretion to report certain non-violent crimes to law enforcement. Under current law, principals are required to make such reports to law enforcement only for such acts that may constitute a felony offense.
Last Action: Left in Education
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms; control by localities of possession or carrying.
Description: Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others. Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Protective orders; possession of firearms.
Description: Protective orders; possession of firearms. Allows a person subject to a protective order to continue to possess any firearm while in his place of residence that was possessed by such person at the time of service, provided that he is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. The bill removes the requirement that any person subject to a protective order must surrender his firearms within 24 hours of being served with a protective order.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms; limitations on use or transfer.
Description: Limitations on use or transfer of firearms. Provides that certain provisions related to the sale or transfer of firearms do not prohibit the lawful transfer of firearms between certain family members. The bill also removes the brandishing of a firearm in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the intent to intimidate any person or group of persons from actions constituting the offense of unlawful paramilitary activity.
Last Action: Continued to 2023 with substitute in Public Safety by voice vote
Last Action Date: February 11, 2022
Title: Firearms; limitations on use or transfer.
Description: Limitations on use or transfer of firearms. Provides that certain provisions related to the sale or transfer of firearms do not prohibit the lawful transfer of firearms between certain family members. The bill also removes the brandishing of a firearm in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the intent to intimidate any person or group of persons from actions constituting the offense of unlawful paramilitary activity.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: November 22, 2022
Title: Law-enforcement officers; exemption from prohibition on carrying firearms, etc., in Capitol Square.
Description: Law-enforcement officers; retired law-enforcement officers; carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area. Exempts any law-enforcement officer from the prohibition on carrying a firearm or explosive material within the Capitol of Virginia and Capitol Square and the surrounding area. The bill further allows any law-enforcement officer or qualified retired law-enforcement officer to carry a firearm or explosive material within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or agency thereof are regularly present to perform their official duties. Under current law, a law-enforcement officer is exempted only while acting in the conduct of his official duties, and a retired law-enforcement officer is limited to carrying a firearm while visiting a gun range owned or leased by the Commonwealth. The bill also clarifies that "Capitol Square and the surrounding area" as defined in current law does not include any public road or highway.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Education, Board of; policies for codes of student conduct, contents.
Description: Board of Education; school boards; codes of student conduct; contents. Requires the Board of Education's guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct to include a requirement that any code of student conduct is enforced and any student behavioral intervention or disciplinary method or measure is utilized in a fair, proportional, unbiased, and neutral manner, for the sole purpose of maintaining safe learning environments, and with full and sole consideration of the student's behavior and with no consideration of any individual immutable characteristic of the student such as the student's sex or race. The bill requires each school board to establish and continuously maintain a system of fair, proportional, unbiased, and neutral student behavioral intervention and discipline and prohibits any school board from establishing or maintaining any system of student behavioral intervention or discipline, including positive behavioral interventions and supports or any substantially similar disciplinary method, that targets or differentiates student behavioral interventions or disciplinary methods or measures based on any factor other than the student's behavior.
Last Action: Left in Education
Last Action Date: November 22, 2022
Title: Law-enforcement officers, retired sworn; purchase of service handguns or other weapons.
Description: Purchase of service handguns or other weapons by retired sworn law-enforcement officers. Removes the requirement that a sworn law-enforcement officer be employed in a full-time capacity at the time of his retirement to purchase his service handgun.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0245)
Last Action Date: April 8, 2022
Title: Capitol Square and the surrounding area, etc.; carrying a firearm or explosive material within area.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty. Repeals the prohibition on carrying a firearm or explosive material within (i) the Capitol of Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area; (iii) any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; or (iv) any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to carry a firearm or explosive material within these areas, subject to certain exceptions, including the following individuals while acting in the conduct of such person's official duties: any law-enforcement officer, any authorized security personnel, any active military personnel, any fire marshal when such fire marshal has been granted police powers, or any member of a cadet corps while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Firearms; removing, altering, etc., serial number, selling, etc., or possessing.
Description: Removing, altering, etc., serial number on firearm; selling, giving, etc., or possessing firearm with removed, altered, etc., serial number; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly possess any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person, firm, association, or corporation to sell, give, or distribute any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. The bill contains a reenactment clause. Removing, altering, etc., serial number on firearm; selling, giving, etc., or possessing firearm with removed, altered, etc., serial number; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly possess any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person, firm, association, or corporation to sell, give, or distribute any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. The bill contains a reenactment clause.
Last Action: Continued to 2022 Sp. Sess. 1 pursuant to HJR455
Last Action Date: March 12, 2022
Title: Firearms; removing, altering, etc., serial number, selling, etc., or possessing.
Description: Removing, altering, etc., serial number on firearm; selling, giving, etc., or possessing firearm with removed, altered, etc., serial number; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly possess any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person, firm, association, or corporation to sell, give, or distribute any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. The bill contains a reenactment clause. Removing, altering, etc., serial number on firearm; selling, giving, etc., or possessing firearm with removed, altered, etc., serial number; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly possess any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person, firm, association, or corporation to sell, give, or distribute any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. The bill contains a reenactment clause.
Last Action: Continued to 2022 Sp. Sess. 1 pursuant to HJR455
Last Action Date: March 12, 2022
Title: Child day center; possession of firearm, license exempt facility.
Description: Possession of firearm, child day center; license exempt facility.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 15, 2022
Title: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.
Description: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required. Allows any person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun openly within the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk, penalties.
Description: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk; penalties. Repeals the procedure by which any attorney for the Commonwealth or law-enforcement officer may apply to a general district court, circuit court, or juvenile and domestic relations district court judge or magistrate for an emergency substantial risk order to prohibit a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to himself or others from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm. The bill also repeals the requirement that the Department of State Police maintain and make information available from the Substantial Risk Order Registry.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Carrying a concealed handgun with a permit; private property.
Description: Carrying a concealed handgun with a permit; private property. Prohibits an owner of private property from prohibiting a person who has a valid concealed handgun permit from storing a firearm or other weapon in a motor vehicle if such vehicle is located in a parking lot, traffic circle, or other means of vehicular ingress or egress to such private property that is open to the public. Under current law, the owner of the private property where the vehicle is located may prohibit the possession of any handgun or other weapon on his property.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Community Policing Act; repeals Act.
Description: Community Policing Act; repeal. Repeals the Community Policing Act that, under current law, prohibits law-enforcement officers and State Police officers from engaging in bias-based profiling in the performance of their official duties. The bill also repeals the provisions requiring the State Police to create the Community Policing Reporting Database into which sheriffs, police forces, and State Police officers report certain data pertaining to, among other law-enforcement activities, investigatory motor vehicle stops.
Last Action: Failed to report and refer to Appropriations (defeated) in General Laws (9-Y 13-N)
Last Action Date: February 2, 2023
Title: Firearm or explosive material; carrying within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, etc.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; exception for concealed handgun permit holders. Adds an exception for persons who have been issued a valid concealed handgun permit by the Commonwealth or persons who have a valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license by reciprocity to the prohibition of carrying a firearm within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 5-N)
Last Action Date: February 20, 2023
Title: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.
Description: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required. Allows any person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun openly within the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence.
Description: Concealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence. Adds a firearms safety or training course conducted by the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) or by a USCCA-certified firearms instructor, or any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, institution of higher education, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the USCCA to those programs that satisfy the demonstration of competence requirement for the issuance of a Virginia resident or nonresident concealed handgun permit.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0093)
Last Action Date: March 21, 2023
Title: Firearms, etc.; control of possession by locality.
Description: Control of firearms by localities. Removes a locality's authority to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (ii) any recreation or community center facility operated by the locality; or (iii) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 13, 2023
Title: Firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited in certain localities.
Description: Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; certain localities; repeal. Repeals the prohibition on carrying certain loaded shotguns and semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols in certain localities in the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Auto sear; prohibition on use penalty.
Description: Use of auto sear; prohibition; penalty. Makes it a Class 2 felony to possess or use an auto sear in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a crime of violence. The bill also makes it a Class 4 felony to unlawfully possess or use an auto sear for an offensive or aggressive purpose. The bill defines auto sear as a small device with a combination of parts made of metal or plastic designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b).
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearms or explosive materials; carrying into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth; exception for highway rest areas. Provides that the prohibition on carrying a firearm or explosive material in any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth shall not apply to any highway rest area.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 20, 2023
Title: Firearms; purchase/transportation by persons convicted of operating boat/vehicle while intoxicated.
Description: Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons convicted of operating a boat or vehicle while intoxicated prohibited; penalty. Provides that any person who, within a five-year period, has been convicted of two misdemeanor driving or boating while intoxicated offenses shall be ineligible to purchase or transport a handgun.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Hard body armor; wearing in public, exceptions, penalty.
Description: Wearing of hard body armor in public; exceptions; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor, for any person to wear hard body armor, as defined in the bill, anywhere other than while on his own private property. The bill provides exceptions for (i) any law-enforcement officer, conservator of the peace, or member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the National Guard of Virginia or of any other state while engaged in the performance of his official duties or (ii) any person engaged in such other profession as designated on a list published by the Department of Criminal Justice Services while engaged in the performance of his official duties. The bill also requires the Department to adopt regulations establishing criteria for eligible professions requiring the use of hard body armor during the performance of their official duties and to publish the list of such eligible professions on the Department's website.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearms; transfers to another person from a prohibited person.
Description: Firearm transfers to another person from a prohibited person. Provides that a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm because such person is subject to a protective order or has been convicted of an assault and battery of a family or household member may transfer a firearm owned by such prohibited person to any person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm, provided that such person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm is 21 years of age or older and does not reside with the person who is subject to the protective order. Under current law, there is no requirement that such transferee cannot be younger than 21 years of age and cannot reside with such prohibited person. The bill also provides that such prohibited person who transfers, sells, or surrenders a firearm pursuant to the provisions of the bill shall inform the clerk of the court of the name and address of the transferee, the federally licensed firearms dealer, or the law-enforcement agency in possession of the firearm. Firearm transfers to another person from a prohibited person. Provides that a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm because such person is subject to a protective order or has been convicted of an assault and battery of a family or household member may transfer a firearm owned by such prohibited person to any person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm, provided that such person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm is 21 years of age or older and does not reside with the person who is subject to the protective order. Under current law, there is no requirement that such transferee cannot be younger than 21 years of age and cannot reside with such prohibited person. The bill also provides that such prohibited person who transfers, sells, or surrenders a firearm pursuant to the provisions of the bill shall inform the clerk of the court of the name and address of the transferee, the federally licensed firearms dealer, or the law-enforcement agency in possession of the firearm.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearms; sale or transfer, microstamping-enabled firearms, penalties.
Description: Sale or transfer of firearms; microstamping-enabled firearms; penalties. Provides that it is unlawful for any licensed dealer in firearms to sell, offer for sale, exchange, give, transfer, or deliver any firearm manufactured on or after July 1, 2025, unless such firearm has been verified as a microstamping-enabled firearm, as defined in the bill. The bill also makes it unlawful for any person to modify such microstamping-enabled firearm or microstamping component with the intent to prevent the production of a microstamp. The bill makes a first violation punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor and a second or subsequent violation punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor and has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.
Description: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required. Allows any person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun openly within the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Concealed handgun permit; extends period of validity.
Description: Concealed handgun permit; period of validity. Extends from five years to 10 years the period during which a concealed handgun permit remains valid. The bill also provides that if a valid concealed handgun permit holder presents a written notice of a change in identifying information on a form provided by the Department of State Police to the clerk of the court who issued such permit, then such clerk shall issue a replacement permit specifying the permit holder's new information. Concealed handgun permit; period of validity. Extends from five years to 10 years the period during which a concealed handgun permit remains valid. The bill also provides that if a valid concealed handgun permit holder presents a written notice of a change in identifying information on a form provided by the Department of State Police to the clerk of the court who issued such permit, then such clerk shall issue a replacement permit specifying the permit holder's new information.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 15, 2023
Title: Firearms; purchase, etc., following an assault and battery against person in dating relationship.
Description: Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery against a person in a dating relationship with the alleged offender, penalty. Provides that any person who knowingly and intentionally purchases, possesses, or transports any firearm following a misdemeanor conviction for an offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2023, for the offense of assault and battery against a person in a dating relationship, as defined in the bill, with the alleged offender or an offense substantially similar under the laws of any other state or of the United States is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearm locks; required for sale or transfer of handguns, warning against accessibility to children.
Description: Firearm locks required for sale or transfer of handguns; warning against accessibility to children; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun to any person (i) other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer, unless the transferee is provided with a locking device for that handgun, or (ii) unless the handgun is accompanied by a warning, in conspicuous and legible type in capital letters printed on a label affixed to the gun and on a separate sheet of paper included within the packaging enclosing the handgun, that handguns should be locked and kept away from children and that there may be civil and criminal liability for failing to do so. The bill provides exceptions for law-enforcement and governmental agencies.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Owners of firearms; use of firearm by minor in commission of crime or to cause bodily injury.
Description: Owners of firearms; use of firearm by minor in commission of crime or to cause bodily injury; penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for an owner of a firearm, as defined in the bill, who (i) allows a minor to possess such firearm and such minor uses such firearm (a) in the commission of a crime or (b) to intentionally or with gross negligence cause bodily injury to himself or another person, or (ii) knows or reasonably should know that a minor is in close proximity, as defined in the bill, to such firearm as to allow such minor to possess or transport such firearm in violation of law and the minor uses such firearm (a) in the commission of a crime or (b) to cause bodily injury to himself or another person. The bill elevates the penalty to a Class 5 felony if such owner of a firearm knows or reasonably should have known that such minor has been charged with or convicted of or adjudicated delinquent of a violent crime or has been the subject of a school-initiated threat assessment.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Civil action against parent; minor's possession and use of firearm.
Description: Civil action against parent; minor's possession and use of firearm. Creates a civil cause of action against a parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person standing in loco parentis of a minor for injury to the person or property of another or for wrongful death resulting from the minor's possession and use of a firearm if it can be shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the minor came into possession of such firearm because of the failure of the civil defendant to reasonably secure the firearm.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Renewal of concealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence.
Description: Renewal of concealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence. Provides that a person who was previously issued a concealed handgun permit is not required to provide any proof of training or demonstration of competence to be issued a renewal permit.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 20, 2023
Title: Assault firearms, etc.; prohibiting sale, transport, penalties.
Description: Prohibiting the sale, transport, etc., of assault firearms, large-capacity firearm magazines, and silencers; penalties. Expands the definition of "assault firearm" and prohibits any person from importing, selling, transferring, manufacturing, purchasing, or transporting an assault firearm. A violation of this provision of the bill is a Class 6 felony. The bill also prohibits a dealer from selling, renting, trading, or transferring from his inventory an assault firearm to any person. The bill makes it a Class 6 felony to import, sell, transfer, manufacture, purchase, or transport a large-capacity firearm magazine, as defined in the bill, and a Class 1 misdemeanor to possess such large-capacity firearm magazine. The bill provides that any person who legally owns a large-capacity firearm magazine on July 1, 2023, may retain possession of such firearm magazine until January 1, 2024, and during that time, such person shall (i) render the large-capacity firearm magazine permanently inoperable, (ii) remove the large-capacity firearm magazine from the Commonwealth, (iii) transfer the large-capacity firearm magazine to a person outside the Commonwealth who is not prohibited from possessing it, or (iv) surrender the large-capacity firearm magazine to a state or local law-enforcement agency. Finally, the bill makes it a Class 6 felony for any person to import, sell, transfer, manufacture, or purchase a silencer, except as provided for in the National Firearms Act.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearms; waiting period for purchase, penalty.
Description: Purchase of firearms; waiting period; penalty. Provides that no person shall sell a firearm unless at least three days have elapsed from the time the prospective purchaser completes the written consent form to have a licensed dealer obtain criminal history record information, with exceptions for (i) transactions between licensed firearms importers or collectors, manufacturers, or dealers; (ii) purchases by or sales to any law-enforcement officer or agent of the United States, the Commonwealth or any local government, or any campus police officer; (iii) sales of antique firearms or curios or relics, as defined in relevant law; (iv) sales to an authorized representative of the Commonwealth or any subdivision thereof as part of an authorized voluntary gun buy-back or give-back program; (v) sales that occur at a firearms show and the seller has received a determination from the Department of State Police that the purchaser is not prohibited under state or federal law from possessing a firearm; or (vi) sales of a service weapon to a retired law-enforcement officer.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Assault firearms; age requirement for purchase, penalty.
Description: Assault firearms; purchase; age requirement; penalty. Provides that in order to purchase an assault firearm a person must be 21 years of age or older. The bill also expands the definition of "assault firearm" as the term applies to criminal history record information checks.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearms; storage in residence where minor present, penalty.
Description: Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor is present; penalty. Requires any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows or reasonably should know that a minor under 18 years of age is present to store such firearm unloaded in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet and to store all ammunition in a separate locked container, compartment, or cabinet. The bill requires that the key or combination to such locked containers, compartments, or cabinets be inaccessible to any minor. The bill provides that a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in a case where there is more than one firearm stored in violation of these provisions, a violation for each firearm shall constitute a separate Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts any person in lawful possession of a firearm who carries such firearm on or about his person, the storage of antique firearms, and the lawful authorization of a minor to access a firearm. Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor is present; penalty. Requires any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows or reasonably should know that a minor under 18 years of age is present to store such firearm unloaded in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet and to store all ammunition in a separate locked container, compartment, or cabinet. The bill requires that the key or combination to such locked containers, compartments, or cabinets be inaccessible to any minor. The bill provides that a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in a case where there is more than one firearm stored in violation of these provisions, a violation for each firearm shall constitute a separate Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts any person in lawful possession of a firearm who carries such firearm on or about his person, the storage of antique firearms, and the lawful authorization of a minor to access a firearm.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearms; use or display when committing a felony, increases mandatory minimum sentences, penalty.
Description: Firearms-related offenses; mandatory minimum sentences; penalty. Increases from five to 10 years for a second or subsequent offense the mandatory minimum sentences for use or display of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies. Firearms-related offenses; mandatory minimum sentences; penalty. Increases from five to 10 years for a second or subsequent offense the mandatory minimum sentences for use or display of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 15, 2023
Title: Firearm or explosive material; carrying within Capitol Square or building state-owned or leased.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square or building owned or leased by the Commonwealth; exemptions; public institutions of higher education. Limits the exemption from the prohibition on the carrying of any firearm or explosive material within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or agency thereof or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties that currently applies to any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education to instead apply to any individual within a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher education who possesses a weapon as part of such public institution of higher education's curriculum or activities or as part of any organization authorized by the public institution of higher education to conduct its programs or activities within such building.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Concealed handgun permits; replacement permits, biometric changes.
Description: Replacement of concealed handgun permits; biometric changes. Provides that if a valid concealed handgun permit holder presents a written notice of a change of name, height, weight, or gender on a form provided by the Department of State Police to the clerk of the court who issued such permit, then such clerk shall issue a replacement permit specifying the permit holder's new information.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Income tax, state; firearm safety device tax credit.
Description: Firearm safety device tax credit. Establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for taxable years 2023 through 2027 for individuals who purchase one or more firearm safety devices, as defined in the bill, in an eligible transaction, as defined in the bill. An individual who properly claims this credit shall be allowed a credit in the amount of up to $300 for the cost incurred in such purchase. The aggregate amount of credits allowable under the provisions of the bill shall not exceed $5 million per taxable year. Firearm safety device tax credit. Establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for taxable years 2023 through 2027 for individuals who purchase one or more firearm safety devices, as defined in the bill, in an eligible transaction, as defined in the bill. An individual who properly claims this credit shall be allowed a credit in the amount of up to $300 for the cost incurred in such purchase. The aggregate amount of credits allowable under the provisions of the bill shall not exceed $5 million per taxable year.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0220)
Last Action Date: March 22, 2023
Title: Purchase of firearms; demonstrated competence with a firearm or completion of training course.
Description: Purchase of firearms; demonstrated competence with a firearm or completion of a firearms safety or training course; penalty. Requires that a prospective purchaser of a firearm present proof that such prospective purchaser has demonstrated competence with a firearm or completed a firearms safety or training course, as specified in the bill, within the past five years.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Nonresident concealed handgun permits; time limit for issuance.
Description: Nonresident concealed handgun permits. Provides that if the Department of State Police has not issued a nonresident concealed handgun permit nor determined that the applicant for such permit is disqualified within 90 days of receipt of the completed application for such permit, the Department shall immediately issue the permit. Current law does not specify a time limit for issuance of such permit or determination of disqualification. The bill retains the current requirement that if after issuance of the permit the permittee is found by the Department to be disqualified, the permit shall be revoked and the person shall return the permit after being so notified by the Department. Nonresident concealed handgun permits. Provides that if the Department of State Police has not issued a nonresident concealed handgun permit nor determined that the applicant for such permit is disqualified within 90 days of receipt of the completed application for such permit, the Department shall immediately issue the permit. Current law does not specify a time limit for issuance of such permit or determination of disqualification. The bill retains the current requirement that if after issuance of the permit the permittee is found by the Department to be disqualified, the permit shall be revoked and the person shall return the permit after being so notified by the Department.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 20, 2023
Title: Firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property; limits prohibition on possession.
Description: Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property; child day centers and preschools. Limits the prohibition on the possession of firearms, stun weapons, or certain other weapons on the property of child day centers or public, private, or religious preschools to that portion of the child day center or preschool exclusively used for the conduct of the child day center or preschool and excluding any common areas or grounds open to the public.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Concealed handgun permits; Virginia Criminal Information Network, disclosure of information.
Description: Concealed handgun permits; Virginia Criminal Information Network; disclosure of information. Limits the exception to the requirement that the State Police withhold from public disclosure concealed handgun permittee information submitted to the State Police for purposes of entry into the Virginia Criminal Information Network provided under current law for any law-enforcement agency, officer, or authorized agent thereof acting in the performance of official law-enforcement duties or an entity that has a valid contract with any local, state, or federal law-enforcement agency for the purpose of performing official duties of the law-enforcement agency to apply only when such permittee information is related to an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution. Concealed handgun permits; Virginia Criminal Information Network; disclosure of information. Limits the exception to the requirement that the State Police withhold from public disclosure concealed handgun permittee information submitted to the State Police for purposes of entry into the Virginia Criminal Information Network provided under current law for any law-enforcement agency, officer, or authorized agent thereof acting in the performance of official law-enforcement duties or an entity that has a valid contract with any local, state, or federal law-enforcement agency for the purpose of performing official duties of the law-enforcement agency to apply only when such permittee information is related to an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0279)
Last Action Date: March 22, 2023
Title: Weapons; possession or transportation, facility that provides mental health services.
Description: Weapons; possession or transportation; facility that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to possess in or transport into any facility that provides mental health services or developmental services in the Commonwealth, including a hospital or an emergency room or other facility rendering emergency medical care, any (i) gun or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind; (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches; or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives and stun weapons. The bill provides that any such firearm, knife, explosive, or weapon is subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and specifies exceptions to the prohibition.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearm-free zones designated by the Commonwealth or a locality; waiver of sovereign immunity.
Description: Firearm-free zones designated by the Commonwealth or a locality; waiver of sovereign immunity.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: State agencies; control of firearms, rights of employees.
Description: Control of firearms by state agencies; rights of employees. Prohibits state agencies other than the Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Virginia Port Authority and public institutions of higher education from adopting any regulation or workplace rule preventing officers or employees of such agencies from storing a lawfully possessed firearm and ammunition in a locked private motor vehicle at their workplace unless the adoption of the regulation is expressly authorized by statute. The bill also provides that any such regulation or rule adopted prior to July 1, 2023, is invalid.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 20, 2023
Title: COVID-19; penalty reimbursements, sunset provision.
Description: Secretary of Finance; COVID-19 penalty reimbursements; sunset. Requires all state agencies to report to the Secretary of Finance the total amount of fines, fees, and interest imposed on individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, including any withdrawal, suspension, or cancellation of an individual's license or certification, resulting from violations of the Commonwealth's COVID-19 practices, guidelines, rules, or operating procedures and any state contracts that were not awarded as a result of noncompliance with the Commonwealth's COVID-19 guidelines. The bill also requires all state agencies to include in such report the fund into which such amounts were deposited. The bill directs the Secretary of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Secretaries with responsibility for the impacted agencies, to develop a procedure to provide reimbursement to such individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations up to the amount of fines, fees, or interest previously paid for such violations. The bill specifies that the procedure developed by the Secretary of Finance shall provide for the reimbursement to such individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations of such amounts from the fund into which the original amounts were deposited. The bill has a sunset date of July 1, 2025. Secretary of Finance; COVID-19 penalty reimbursements; sunset. Requires all state agencies to report to the Secretary of Finance the total amount of fines, fees, and interest imposed on individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, including any withdrawal, suspension, or cancellation of an individual's license or certification, resulting from violations of the Commonwealth's COVID-19 practices, guidelines, rules, or operating procedures and any state contracts that were not awarded as a result of noncompliance with the Commonwealth's COVID-19 guidelines. The bill also requires all state agencies to include in such report the fund into which such amounts were deposited. The bill directs the Secretary of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Secretaries with responsibility for the impacted agencies, to develop a procedure to provide reimbursement to such individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations up to the amount of fines, fees, or interest previously paid for such violations. The bill specifies that the procedure developed by the Secretary of Finance shall provide for the reimbursement to such individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations of such amounts from the fund into which the original amounts were deposited. The bill has a sunset date of July 1, 2025.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: February 15, 2023
Title: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk, penalties.
Description: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk; penalties.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: February 7, 2023
Title: Firearms; purchase, special identification without a photograph issued by DMV.
Description: Purchase of firearms; special identification without a photograph. Provides that to establish personal identification and residence in Virginia for the purposes of purchasing a firearm, a prospective purchaser may present a special identification card without a photograph issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to a person with a sincerely held religious belief prohibiting the taking of a photograph.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0464)
Last Action Date: March 24, 2023
Title: Firearms; concealed carry for law-enforcement officers, attorneys for the Commonwealth, etc.
Description: Firearms; concealed carry for law-enforcement officers, attorneys for the Commonwealth, and judges; exceptions to certain prohibited activities. Provides that any (i) active law-enforcement officer, (ii) qualified retired law-enforcement officer, (iii) attorney for the Commonwealth or assistant attorney for the Commonwealth, (iv) qualified retired attorney for the Commonwealth or retired assistant attorney for the Commonwealth, (v) judge or justice of the Commonwealth, or (vi) retired judge or retired justice of the Commonwealth may carry a concealed weapon about his person, hidden from common observation. The bill also permits such law-enforcement officers, retired law-enforcement officers, attorneys for the Commonwealth or assistant attorneys for the Commonwealth, qualified retired attorneys for the Commonwealth or retired assistant attorneys for the Commonwealth, judges or justices of the Commonwealth, and retired judges or justices of the Commonwealth to carry a firearm in many of the areas where firearms are prohibited from being carried.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: January 26, 2022
Title: Firearms; control by localities of possession or carrying.
Description: Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others. Control of firearms by localities. Removes the authority for a locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. The bill provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a buy-back program shall be offered for sale by public auction or sealed bids to a person licensed as a dealer. Current law provides that any such firearm shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering the firearm requests in writing that the firearm be offered for sale. The bill also limits the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: January 26, 2022
Title: Capitol Square and the surrounding area, etc.; carrying a firearm or explosive material within area.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty. Repeals the prohibition on carrying a firearm or explosive material within (i) the Capitol of Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area; (iii) any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; or (iv) any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to carry a firearm or explosive material within these areas, subject to certain exceptions, including the following individuals while acting in the conduct of such person's official duties: any law-enforcement officer, any authorized security personnel, any active military personnel, any fire marshal when such fire marshal has been granted police powers, or any member of a cadet corps while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Rules (13-Y 3-N)
Last Action Date: February 11, 2022
Title: Mandatory minimum sentences; elimination, modification of sentence to mandatory minimum term.
Description: Elimination of mandatory minimum sentences; modification Elimination of mandatory minimum sentences; modification of sentence to mandatory minimum term of confinement for felony offenses; report. Except for aggravated murder of a law-enforcement officer, eliminates all mandatory minimum sentences of confinement from the Code of Virginia. The bill directs the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to establish a work group to evaluate the feasibility of resentencing persons previously convicted of a felony offense that was punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement and to report its findings by November 1, 2022.
Last Action: Defeated by Senate (17-Y 23-N)
Last Action Date: February 14, 2022
Title: Intercollegiate athletics; student-athletes, compensation and representation for name, image, etc.
Description: Intercollegiate athletics; student-athletes; compensation and representation for name, image, or likeness. Establishes several parameters for the compensation and representation of a student-athlete related to the use of such student's name, image, or likeness. The bill prohibits any private institution of higher education, associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education, or baccalaureate public institution of higher education or any agent thereof; athletic association; athletic conference; or other organization with authority over intercollegiate athletics from (i) prohibiting or preventing a student-athlete from earning compensation for the use of his name, image, or likeness, except in certain circumstances enumerated in the bill; (ii) prohibiting or preventing a student-athlete from obtaining professional representation by a licensed athlete agent or legal representation by a licensed attorney in connection with issues related to name, image, or likeness; (iii) declaring a student-athlete ineligible for intercollegiate athletic competition because he earns such compensation or obtains such representation; or (iv) reducing, canceling, revoking, or not renewing an athletic scholarship because a student-athlete earns such compensation or obtains such representation. The bill establishes several other conditions and limitations relating to pre-agreement disclosures, the use of the institution's property, and the effect on employment status in connection with a student-athlete's use of his name, image, or likeness. The bill also amends the definition of "athlete agent" in relevant law to permit such agents to represent a student-athlete in connection with issues related to name, image, or likeness, including negotiating, securing, obtaining, arranging, and managing name, image, or likeness opportunities.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0638)
Last Action Date: April 11, 2022
Title: Mandatory minimum sentences; elimination, modification of sentence to mandatory minimum term.
Description: Elimination of mandatory minimum sentences; modification of sentence to mandatory minimum term of confinement for felony offenses; report. Except for aggravated murder of a law-enforcement officer, eliminates all mandatory minimum sentences of confinement from the Code of Virginia. The bill directs the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to establish a work group to evaluate the feasibility of resentencing persons previously convicted of a felony offense that was punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement and to report its findings by November 1, 2022.
Last Action: Incorporated by Judiciary
Last Action Date: January 17, 2022
Title: Capitol Square and the surrounding area; carrying firearms, etc., in area.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area; exceptions for law-enforcement officers. Adds an exception for off-duty law-enforcement officers and retired law-enforcement officers to the prohibition of carrying a firearm within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
Last Action: Left in Rules
Last Action Date: November 21, 2022
Title: Capitol Square and the surrounding area; carrying firearms, etc., in area.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area; exceptions for law-enforcement officers. Adds an exception for off-duty law-enforcement officers and retired law-enforcement officers to the prohibition of carrying a firearm within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
Last Action: Continued to 2023 in Rules (13-Y 2-N)
Last Action Date: February 11, 2022
Title: DMV; applicants for driver's licenses, etc., to provide his race & ethnicity.
Description: Department of Motor Vehicles; Virginia Community Policing Act; race and ethnicity data. Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an applicant for an original driver's license, driver privilege card, special identification card with or without a photograph, and identification privilege card or the renewal or reissue of such license or card to provide his race and ethnicity. The bill prohibits displaying any such data in a readable form on a credential issued by the Department and requires such data to be encoded in the barcode on the back of such license or card. The bill prohibits the release of such data to any entity other than the Department of State Police to be used exclusively for the Virginia Community Policing Act Database. Department of Motor Vehicles; Virginia Community Policing Act; race and ethnicity data. Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an applicant for an original driver's license, driver privilege card, special identification card with or without a photograph, and identification privilege card or the renewal or reissue of such license or card to provide his race and ethnicity. The bill prohibits displaying any such data in a readable form on a credential issued by the Department and requires such data to be encoded in the barcode on the back of such license or card. The bill prohibits the release of such data to any entity other than the Department of State Police to be used exclusively for the Virginia Community Policing Act Database.
Last Action: Continued to 2023 in Transportation (11-Y 0-N)
Last Action Date: February 3, 2022
Title: School principals; incident reports.
Description: School principals; incident reports. Requires that school principals report to law enforcement certain enumerated acts that may constitute a misdemeanor offense and report to the parents of any minor student who is the specific object of such act that the incident has been reported to law enforcement. Under current law, principals are required to make such reports only for such acts that may constitute a felony offense.
Last Action: Incorporated by Education and Health
Last Action Date: February 10, 2022
Title: Plastic firearms and unfinished frames, etc.; manufacture, import, sale, etc., penalties.
Description: Manufacture, import, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms; penalties. Creates a Class 5 felony for any person who manufactures, imports, sells, transfers, or possesses any firearm with a major component, as defined in the bill, that when subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices, including X-ray machines, commonly used at airports for security screening does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the component. The bill updates language regarding the types of detection devices that are used at airports for detecting plastic firearms. Manufacture, import, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms; penalties. Creates a Class 5 felony for any person who manufactures, imports, sells, transfers, or possesses any firearm with a major component, as defined in the bill, that when subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices, including X-ray machines, commonly used at airports for security screening does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the component. The bill updates language regarding the types of detection devices that are used at airports for detecting plastic firearms. The bill also creates a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable as a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense, making it unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, offer to sell, transfer, or purchase an unfinished frame or receiver unless the party selling, offering to sell, transferring, or purchasing the unfinished frame or receiver is a federal firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer or the unfinished frame or receiver is required by federal law to be, and has been, imprinted with a serial number by a federal firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer.
Last Action: Tabled in Public Safety (12-Y 10-N)
Last Action Date: February 25, 2022
Title: Law-enforcement agencies; acquisition of military property.
Description: Acquisition of certain military property by law-enforcement agencies. Changes the limitation on the acquisition or purchase of military property by a law-enforcement agency from firearms of .50 caliber or higher to rifles of .50 caliber or higher and from ammunition of .50 caliber or higher to rifle ammunition of .50 caliber or higher.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0376)
Last Action Date: April 11, 2022
Title: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required.
Description: Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required. Allows any person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun without a permit anywhere he may lawfully carry a handgun openly within the Commonwealth.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (8-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: January 26, 2022
Title: Handguns; limitation on purchases.
Description: Purchase of handguns; limitation on handgun purchases. Removes the prohibition on any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a violation of this provision, subject to certain exemptions. Purchase of handguns; limitation on handgun purchases. Removes the prohibition on any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a violation of this provision, subject to certain exemptions.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (8-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: January 26, 2022
Title: Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention, Virginia Center; established.
Description: Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention; Virginia Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund; creation. Establishes the Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention (the Center) within the Department of Criminal Justice Services and transfers to the Center the administration of the existing Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund.
Last Action: Continued to 2022 Sp. Sess. 1 pursuant to HJR455
Last Action Date: March 12, 2022
Title: Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention, Virginia Center; established.
Description: Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention; Virginia Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund; creation. Establishes the Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention (the Center) within the Department of Criminal Justice Services and transfers to the Center the administration of the existing Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund.
Last Action: Continued to 2022 Sp. Sess. 1 pursuant to HJR455
Last Action Date: March 12, 2022
Title: Firearms; criminal history record information check required to sell.
Description: Criminal history record information check required to sell firearm; exception for concealed handgun permit. Provides that a person may sell a firearm through a private sale to another person if the sale of a firearm is to a person who (i) has a valid Virginia resident concealed handgun permit, (ii) produces the permit to the seller at the time of sale, and (iii) is not prohibited under state or federal law from possessing a firearm.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: January 26, 2022
Title: Firearms; criminal history record information check required to sell, exception.
Description: Criminal history record information check required to sell firearm; exception for purchase of service weapon. Provides that the purchase of a service weapon by a retired law-enforcement officer is not subject to a criminal history record information check.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0270)
Last Action Date: April 8, 2022
Title: Firearms; control of firearms by localities, concealed handgun permit exception.
Description: Control of firearms by localities; concealed handgun permit exception. Provides that any local ordinance that prohibits the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any building, or part thereof, owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes; (ii) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (iii) any recreation or community center facility; or (iv) any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit shall not apply to any person who holds a valid Virginia permit to carry a concealed handgun.
Last Action: Incorporated by Judiciary
Last Action Date: January 26, 2022
Title: Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence.
Description: Concealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence. Adds a firearms safety or training course conducted by the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) or by a USCCA-certified firearms instructor, or any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, institution of higher education, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the USCCA to those programs that satisfy the demonstration of competence requirement for the issuance of a Virginia resident or nonresident concealed handgun permit.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0094)
Last Action Date: March 21, 2023
Title: Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; civil penalty.
Description: Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; civil penalty. Provides that no person shall leave, place, or store a handgun in an unattended motor vehicle, as defined in the bill, unless the vehicle is locked. The bill provides that any person violating such prohibition is subject to a civil penalty of no more than $500 and that such unattended motor vehicle may be subject to removal for safekeeping. Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; civil penalty. Provides that no person shall leave, place, or store a handgun in an unattended motor vehicle, as defined in the bill, unless the vehicle is locked. The bill provides that any person violating such prohibition is subject to a civil penalty of no more than $500 and that such unattended motor vehicle may be subject to removal for safekeeping.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Firearms; transfers to another person from a prohibited person.
Description: Firearm transfers to another person from a prohibited person. Provides that a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm because such person is subject to a protective order or has been convicted of an assault and battery of a family or household member may transfer a firearm owned by such prohibited person to any person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm, provided that such person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm is 21 years of age or older and does not reside with the person who is subject to the protective order. Under current law, there is no requirement that such transferee cannot be younger than 21 years of age and cannot reside with such prohibited person. The bill also provides that such prohibited person who transfers, sells, or surrenders a firearm pursuant to the provisions of the bill shall inform the clerk of the court of the name and address of the transferee, the federally licensed firearms dealer, or the law-enforcement agency in possession of the firearm.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices; carrying, sale, transfer, etc.
Description: Carrying, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalties. Prohibits the sale of an assault firearm and a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as those terms are defined in the bill. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, or was manufactured before July 1, 2023. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, or transfers a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also prohibits the carrying of certain shotguns and semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public. Under current law, the current prohibition on carrying certain shotguns and semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols applies to a narrower range of firearms, only in certain localities, and only when such firearms are loaded. The bill prohibits a firearms dealer from selling, renting, trading, or transferring from his inventory any assault firearm to any person.
Last Action: Incorporated by Judiciary
Last Action Date: January 23, 2023
Title: Substantial risk orders; substantial risk factors and considerations.
Description: Substantial risk orders; substantial risk factors and Substantial risk orders; substantial risk factors and considerations. Provides various factors that a judge or magistrate shall consider for the purpose of determining probable cause prior to issuing an emergency substantial risk order or a substantial risk order. The bill provides that such factors shall include whether the person who is subject to the order (i) committed any acts of violence or criminal offenses resulting in injury to himself or another person within the six months prior to the filing of the petition; (ii) made any threats or used any physical force against another person that resulted in injury within the six months prior to the filing of the petition; (iii) violated any provision of a protective order issued or was arrested for stalking within the six months prior to the filing of the petition; (iv) was convicted of any offense that would prohibit such person from possessing a firearm; (v) engaged in any conduct within the year prior to the filing of the petition that demonstrated a pattern of violent acts or threats to another person, including any acts or threats made against family members, neighbors, co-workers, or toward schools or students or government buildings or employees; (vi) committed any acts of violence or criminal offenses against an animal within the six months prior to the filing of the petition; (vii) made any attempt or threat of suicide or any act, attempted act, or threat of self-harm that caused or may have caused serious bodily injury; or (viii) evidence of recent acquisition of a firearm or ammunition by the respondent. The bill also outlines various other factors that a judge or magistrate may, but is not required to, consider for the purpose of issuing an emergency substantial risk order or a substantial risk order.
Last Action: Left in Courts of Justice
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Firearms; storage in residence where minor or person prohibited from possessing is present, penalty.
Description: Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor is present; penalty. Requires any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor under 18 years of age or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm resides shall store such firearm and the ammunition for such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person. The bill provides that a violation is a Class 4 misdemeanor. The bill exempts any person in lawful possession of a firearm who carries such firearm on or about his person, the storage of antique firearms, and the lawful authorization of a minor to access a firearm. The bill also requires firearm dealers to post a notice stating such firearm storage requirements and the penalty for not properly storing such firearms. Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor is present; penalty. Requires any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor under 18 years of age or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm resides shall store such firearm and the ammunition for such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person. The bill provides that a violation is a Class 4 misdemeanor. The bill exempts any person in lawful possession of a firearm who carries such firearm on or about his person, the storage of antique firearms, and the lawful authorization of a minor to access a firearm. The bill also requires firearm dealers to post a notice stating such firearm storage requirements and the penalty for not properly storing such firearms.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Firearm industry members; standards of responsible conduct, civil liability.
Description: Firearm industry members; standards of responsible conduct; civil liability. Creates standards of responsible conduct for firearm industry members, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill requires any firearm industry member that sells, manufactures, distributes, markets, or intends to sell, manufacture, distribute, or market firearm industry products, as that term is defined in the bill, within the Commonwealth, or that sells, manufactures, distributes, markets, or intends to sell, manufacture, distribute, or market firearm industry products to be used or possessed within the Commonwealth to comply with such standards of responsible conduct. Such standards include establishing and implementing reasonable controls regarding the manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing, and wholesale or retail sale of firearm industry products and taking reasonable precautions to ensure that such firearm industry products are not sold or distributed to a distributor or retailer that fails to establish and implement such reasonable controls. The bill also creates a civil cause of action for any person who suffers harm as a result of a firearm industry member's violation of the provisions of the bill.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms; sale, transfer, or purchase, penalty.
Description: Sale, transfer, or purchase of unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms; penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable as a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense, for any person to knowingly sell, offer to sell, transfer, or purchase an unfinished frame or receiver, as defined in the bill, unless the party selling, offering to sell, transferring, or purchasing the unfinished frame or receiver is a federal firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer or the unfinished frame or receiver is required by federal law to be, and has been, imprinted with a serial number by a federal firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, penalty.
Description: Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of certain semi-automatic center-fire rifles, pistols, and shotguns on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public. Under current law, the current prohibition on carrying certain shotguns and semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols applies to a narrower range of firearms, only in certain localities, and only when such firearms are loaded. Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of certain semi-automatic center-fire rifles, pistols, and shotguns on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public. Under current law, the current prohibition on carrying certain shotguns and semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols applies to a narrower range of firearms, only in certain localities, and only when such firearms are loaded.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Firearms, etc.; control of possession by locality.
Description: Control of firearms by localities. Removes a locality's authority to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (ii) any recreation or community center facility operated by the locality; or (iii) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit. Control of firearms by localities. Removes a locality's authority to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in (i) any public park owned or operated by the locality; (ii) any recreation or community center facility operated by the locality; or (iii) any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public and is being used by or is adjacent to a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: January 23, 2023
Title: Firearms-related offenses; increases mandatory minimum sentences, penalty.
Description: Firearms-related offenses; mandatory minimum sentences; penalty. Increases from three to five years for a first offense and from five to 10 years for a second or subsequent offense the mandatory minimum sentences for use or display of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies. The bill also increases the punishment from a Class 6 felony to a Class 5 felony and increases from five to 10 years the mandatory minimum sentence for knowingly possessing any firearm within the building of a child day center or public, private, or religious preschool, elementary, middle, or high school and intending to use, or attempting to use, such firearm, or displaying such weapon in a threatening manner. The bill also increases the punishment from a Class 6 felony to a Class 5 felony and increases from five to 10 years for a person previously convicted of a violent felony and from two to five years for a person previously convicted of any other felony within the prior 10 years the mandatory minimum sentences for knowingly and intentionally possessing or transporting any firearm.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (8-Y 6-N 1-A)
Last Action Date: January 30, 2023
Title: Firearms; use, display, or concealment in committing certain felonies, penalty.
Description: Use, display, or concealment of firearm in committing certain felonies; penalty. Provides that a person is guilty of a separate felony if he carries about his person any pistol, shotgun, rifle, or other firearm that is hidden from common observation while committing or attempting to commit certain other felonies. The bill also increases from three to five years for a first offense and from five to 10 years for a second or subsequent offense the mandatory minimum sentences for use or display of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)
Last Action Date: January 23, 2023
Title: Assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, possession, etc., prohibited.
Description: Purchase, possession, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses, transports, or transfers an assault firearm, as that term is defined in the bill, and prohibits a person who has been convicted of such violation from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm for a period of three years from the date of conviction. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, or was manufactured before July 1, 2023. The bill also prohibits the sale of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, or transfers a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person younger than 21 years of age to import, sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, transport, or transfer an assault firearm regardless of the date of manufacture of such assault firearm. Purchase, possession, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses, transports, or transfers an assault firearm, as that term is defined in the bill, and prohibits a person who has been convicted of such violation from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm for a period of three years from the date of conviction. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, or was manufactured before July 1, 2023. The bill also prohibits the sale of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, or transfers a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person younger than 21 years of age to import, sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, transport, or transfer an assault firearm regardless of the date of manufacture of such assault firearm.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Service handgun; purchases by certain officers from Department of State Police.
Description: Purchase of handguns or other weapons of certain officers; Department of State Police. Provides that the Department of State Police may allow any law-enforcement officer formerly employed by the Department who had at least 10 years of service with the Department and has been elected to a constitutional office to purchase his service handgun, with the approval of the Superintendent of State Police, at a fair market price. Purchase of handguns or other weapons of certain officers; Department of State Police. Provides that the Department of State Police may allow any law-enforcement officer formerly employed by the Department who had at least 10 years of service with the Department and has been elected to a constitutional office to purchase his service handgun, with the approval of the Superintendent of State Police, at a fair market price.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0203)
Last Action Date: March 22, 2023
Title: Firearm/explosive material; carrying w/in Capitol Sq., etc., may result in periods of imprisonments.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square or building owned or leased by the Commonwealth; exemptions; public institutions of higher education. Limits the exemption from the prohibition on the carrying of any firearm or explosive material within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or agency thereof or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties that currently applies to any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education to instead apply to any individual within a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher education who possesses a weapon as part of such public institution of higher education's curriculum or activities or as part of any organization authorized by the public institution of higher education to conduct its programs or activities within such building. Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square or building owned or leased by the Commonwealth; exemptions; public institutions of higher education. Limits the exemption from the prohibition on the carrying of any firearm or explosive material within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or agency thereof or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties that currently applies to any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education to instead apply to any individual within a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher education who possesses a weapon as part of such public institution of higher education's curriculum or activities or as part of any organization authorized by the public institution of higher education to conduct its programs or activities within such building.
Last Action: Left in Public Safety
Last Action Date: February 22, 2023
Title: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk, penalties.
Description: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk; penalties. Repeals the procedure by which any attorney for the Commonwealth or law-enforcement officer may apply to a general district court, circuit court, or juvenile and domestic relations district court judge or magistrate for an emergency substantial risk order to prohibit a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to himself or others from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm. The bill also removes the substantial risk order registry for the entry of orders issued.
Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (10-Y 5-N)
Last Action Date: January 30, 2023
Title: Firearm or explosive material; carrying within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, exceptions.
Description: Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area; exceptions for State Police officers. Adds an exception for off-duty State Police officers and retired State Police officers to the prohibition on carrying a firearm within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties. Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area; exceptions for State Police officers. Adds an exception for off-duty State Police officers and retired State Police officers to the prohibition on carrying a firearm within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0810)
Last Action Date: May 12, 2023
