2020 Passed State Firearm Legislation

Virginia SB35

Title: Firearms, ammunition, etc.; control by localities by governing possession, etc., within locality.

Description: Control of firearms by localities; permitted events. Authorizes any 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, 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. Provisions limiting the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others are also repealed. The bill also provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a gun buy-back program shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering such firearm requests in writing that such surrendered firearm be sold. The provisions of the bill do not apply to the activities of a Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program operated at a public or private institution of higher education or (ii) any intercollegiate athletics program operated by a public or private institution of higher education and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association or any club sports team recognized by a public or private institution of higher education where the sport engaged in by such program or team involves the use of a firearm. The bill contains technical amendments.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1247)

Last Action Date: April 22, 2020

Virginia HB421

Title: Firearms, ammunition, etc.; control by localities by governing possession, etc., within locality.

Description: Control of firearms by localities. Authorizes any 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, 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. Provisions limiting the authority of localities and state governmental entities to bring lawsuits against certain firearms manufacturers and others are also repealed. The bill also provides that any firearm received by the locality pursuant to a gun buy-back program shall be destroyed by the locality unless the person surrendering such firearm requests in writing that such surrendered firearm be sold. The provisions of the bill do not apply to the activities of a Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program operated at a public or private institution of higher education or (ii) any intercollegiate athletics program operated by a public or private institution of higher education and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association or any club sports team recognized by a public or private institution of higher education where the sport engaged in by such program or team involves the use of a firearm. The bill contains technical amendments.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1205)

Last Action Date: April 22, 2020

Virginia SB479

Title: Protective orders; possession of firearms, surrender or transfer of firearms, penalty.

Description: Protective orders; possession of firearms; surrender or transfer of firearms; penalty. Prohibits any person subject to a permanent protective order (i.e., a protective order with a maximum duration of two years) from knowingly possessing a firearm while the order is in effect, provided that for a period of 24 hours after being served with a protective order such person may continue to possess such firearm for the purposes of selling or transferring it to any person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm. A violation of this provision is a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides that a court shall order a person subject to a permanent protective order to (i) within 24 hours, surrender any firearm possessed by such person to a designated local law-enforcement agency or sell or transfer any firearm possessed by such person to a dealer or to any person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm and (ii) certify in writing that such person does not possess any firearms or that all firearms possessed by such person have been surrendered, sold, or transferred and file such certification with the clerk of the court that entered the protective order within 48 hours after being served with a protective order. The bill provides that the willful failure of any person to certify in writing that all firearms possessed by such person have been surrendered, sold, or transferred or that such person does not possess any firearms shall constitute contempt of court. The bill provides procedures for designating a local law-enforcement agency to receive and store firearms, as well as a process to return such surrendered firearms. The bill also makes it a Class 4 felony for any person to sell, barter, give, or furnish any firearm to any person he knows is prohibited from possessing or transporting a firearm who is subject to a permanent protective order.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1260)

Last Action Date: April 22, 2020

Virginia SB71

Title: Firearms; possession on school property.

Description: Firearms on school property. Adds public, private, or religious preschools and licensed child day centers that are not operated at the residence of the provider or of any of the children to the list of schools where possessing a firearm on school property or on a school bus is prohibited. The provisions of the bill regarding child day centers and preschools only apply during the regular operating hours of such child day center or preschool and shall not apply to any person (i) whose residence is on the property of a child day center or a private or religious preschool and (ii) who possesses a firearm or other prohibited weapon while in his residence . Under current law, the list of such schools only includes public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high schools. The bill also provides that a licensed child day center or religious or private preschool may hire an armed security officer to provide security services.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1249)

Last Action Date: April 22, 2020

Virginia HB1004

Title: Protective orders; possession of firearms, surrender or transfer of firearms, penalty.

Description: Protective orders; possession of firearms; surrender or transfer of firearms; penalty. Prohibits any person subject to a permanent protective order (i.e., a protective order with a maximum duration of two years) from knowingly possessing a firearm while the order is in effect, provided that for a period of 24 hours after being served with a protective order such person may continue to possess such firearm for the purposes of selling or transferring it to any person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm. A violation of this provision is a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides that a court shall order a person subject to a permanent protective order to (i) within 24 hours, surrender any firearm possessed by such person to a designated local law-enforcement agency or sell or transfer any firearm possessed by such person to a dealer or to any person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm and (ii) certify in writing that such person does not possess any firearms or that all firearms possessed by such person have been surrendered, sold, or transferred and file such certification with the clerk of the court that entered the protective order within 48 hours after being served with a protective order. The bill provides that the willful failure of any person to certify in writing that all firearms possessed by such person have been surrendered, sold, or transferred or that such person does not possess any firearms shall constitute contempt of court. The bill provides procedures for designating a local law-enforcement agency to receive and store firearms, as well as a process to return such surrendered firearms. The bill also makes it a Class 4 felony for any person to sell, barter, give, or furnish any firearm to any person he knows is prohibited from possessing or transporting a firearm who is subject to a permanent protective order.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1221)

Last Action Date: April 22, 2020

Virginia SB684

Title: Firearms; mental health as disqualifier for possession, etc.

Description: Involuntary commitment and restoration of firearm rights. Responds to the holding in Paugh v. Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services, Record No. 121562 (2013), in which the Supreme Court of Virginia held that on appeal by trial de novo in circuit court of an order of involuntary commitment by a district court, upon the circuit court's finding that the appellant no longer meets the criteria for involuntary commitment, the proper remedy is dismissal of the Commonwealth's petition for involuntary commitment, thereby rendering the original commitment order a nullity. As such, because the original petition would in effect never have existed, forfeiture of the right to possess a firearm as required by § 18.2-308.1:3 upon involuntary commitment would no longer be in effect. Section 18.2-308.1:3 requires that a person who has been involuntarily committed and seeks to have his firearm rights restored petition a district court for restoration of his firearm rights. The ruling in Paugh, by requiring dismissal of the original petition for commitment, removes that requirement even though on the date of the original commitment hearing the person did meet the criteria for commitment and was, in fact, involuntarily committed. The bill provides that, notwithstanding the outcome of any appeal (trial de novo on the petition for commitment) taken pursuant to § 37.2-821 or § 16.1-345.6, the appellant shall be required to seek restoration of his firearm rights. The bill also provides that, upon a finding by the circuit court that the appellant no longer meets the criteria for involuntary commitment or mandatory outpatient treatment, the court shall reverse the order of the district court but shall not dismiss the Commonwealth's petition. As a consequence of these changes, a person who is involuntarily committed would be required to petition for restoration of his firearm rights notwithstanding the reversal of the commitment order by a circuit court.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1175)

Last Action Date: April 11, 2020

Virginia SB436

Title: Virginia Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List; established, penalty.

Description: Establishment of the Virginia Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List; penalty. Creates the Virginia Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List (the List) that prohibits the possession, transportation, and sale of firearms to any person who voluntarily registers himself to be enrolled into the List. The List shall be maintained and updated by the Department of State Police. The bill makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor for any person enrolled into the List to purchase, possess, or transport a firearm. The bill disqualifies any person enrolled into the List from obtaining a concealed handgun permit and prohibits such person from being employed by a firearms dealer. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who sells, barters, gives, or furnishes, or has in his possession or under his control with the intent of selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing, any firearm to any person he knows is enrolled into the List. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2021.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1173)

Last Action Date: April 11, 2020

Virginia HB2

Title: Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks, penalty.

Description: Firearm sales; criminal history record information checks; penalty. Requires a background check for any firearm sale and directs the Department of State Police (the Department) to establish a process for transferors to obtain such a background check from licensed firearms dealers. A person who sells a firearm to another person without obtaining the required background check is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also provides that a purchaser who receives a firearm from another person without obtaining the required background check is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill removes the provision that makes background checks of prospective purchasers or transferees at firearms shows voluntary. The bill also provides that the Department shall have three business days to complete a background check before a firearm may be transferred.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1111)

Last Action Date: April 10, 2020

Virginia HB1080

Title: Firearms or other weapons; unauthorized to possess on school property.

Description: Firearms or other weapons on school property. Provides that no school board may authorize or designate any person to possess a firearm on school property other than those persons expressly authorized by statute. The bill also clarifies that no exemption exists for a special conservator of the peace to possess a firearm or other weapon on school property.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1037)

Last Action Date: April 10, 2020

Virginia HB1499

Title: Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund; created.

Description: Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund. Establishes the Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund to be administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for the purpose of supporting gun violence intervention and prevention programs, including street outreach, hospital-based violence intervention, and group violence intervention programs.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1129)

Last Action Date: April 10, 2020

Virginia SB263

Title: Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence, effective date.

Description: Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence. Removes the option for concealed handgun permit applicants to demonstrate competence with a handgun by completing an electronic, video, or online course conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor. The bill does not affect any in-person means of satisfying the requirement to demonstrate competence with a handgun under current law. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2021.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1130)

Last Action Date: April 10, 2020

Virginia HB259

Title: Unrestorably incompetent defendant; competency report.

Description: Unrestorably incompetent defendant; competency report. Provides that in cases where a defendant is likely to remain incompetent for the foreseeable future due to an ongoing and irreversible medical condition and prior medical or educational records are available to support the diagnosis, a competency report may recommend that the court find the defendant unrestorably incompetent to stand trial, and the court may proceed with the disposition of the case based on such recommendation. Under current law, the defendant is required to undergo treatment to restore his competency before the court can find a defendant unrestorably incompetent to stand trial. The bill also provides that such person who is found unrestorably incompetent to stand trial shall be prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1121)

Last Action Date: April 10, 2020

Virginia SB70

Title: Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks, penalty.

Description: Firearm sales; criminal history record information checks; penalty. Requires a background check for any firearm sale and directs the Department of State Police (the Department) to establish a process for transferors to obtain such a background check from licensed firearms dealers. A person who sells a firearm to another person without obtaining the required background check is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also provides that a purchaser who receives a firearm from another person without obtaining the required background check is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill removes the provision that makes background checks of prospective purchasers or transferees at firearms shows voluntary. The bill also provides that the Department shall have three business days to complete a background check before a firearm may be transferred.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1112)

Last Action Date: April 10, 2020

Virginia SB616

Title: Game and Inland Fisheries, Department of; name change.

Description: Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; name change. Renames the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as the Department of Wildlife Resources and the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries as the Board of Wildlife Resources.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0958)

Last Action Date: April 9, 2020

Virginia SB593

Title: Family day homes, licensed, etc.; storage of unloaded firearms in a locked container, cabinet, etc.

Description: Family day homes; storage of firearms. Requires that during hours of operation, all firearms in a licensed family day home, registered family day home, or family day home approved by a family day system be stored unloaded in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet, and that all ammunition be stored 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 all children in the home.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0911)

Last Action Date: April 9, 2020

Virginia HB812

Title: Handguns; limitation on purchases, penalty.

Description: Purchase of handguns; limitation on handgun purchases; penalty. Prohibits any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period and establishes such an offense as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts from this provision (i) persons who have been issued a certificate by the Department of State Police under certain circumstances and with an enhanced background check, (ii) law-enforcement agencies and officers, (iii) state and local correctional facilities, (iv) licensed private security companies, (v) persons who hold a valid Virginia concealed handgun permit, (vi) persons whose handgun has been stolen or irretrievably lost or who are trading in a handgun, (vii) purchases of handguns in a private sale, and (viii) purchases of antique firearms.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0991)

Last Action Date: April 9, 2020

Virginia SB144

Title: Protective orders; issuance upon convictions for certain felonies, penalty.

Description: Protective orders; issuance upon convictions for certain felonies; penalty. Authorizes a court to issue a protective order upon convicting a defendant for an act of violence and upon the request of the victim or the attorney for the Commonwealth on behalf of the victim. The bill provides that the duration of such protective order can be for any reasonable period of time, including up to the lifetime of the defendant, that the court deems necessary to protect the health and safety of the victim. The bill provides that a violation of a protective order issued upon a conviction for an act of violence is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1005)

Last Action Date: April 9, 2020

Virginia HB600

Title: Family day homes, licensed, etc.; storage of unloaded firearms in a locked container, cabinet, etc.

Description: Family day homes; storage of firearms. Requires that during hours of operation, all firearms in a licensed family day home, registered family day home, or family day home approved by a family day system be stored unloaded in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet, and that all ammunition be stored 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 all children in the home.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0910)

Last Action Date: April 9, 2020

Virginia SB69

Title: Handguns; limitation on purchases, penalty.

Description: Purchase of handguns; limitation on handgun purchases; penalty. Prohibits any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period and establishes such an offense as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts from this provision (i) persons who have been issued a certificate by the Department of State Police under certain circumstances and with an enhanced background check, (ii) law-enforcement agencies and officers, (iii) state and local correctional facilities, (iv) licensed private security companies, (v) persons who hold a valid Virginia concealed handgun permit, (vi) persons whose handgun has been stolen or irretrievably lost or who are trading in a handgun, (vii) purchases of handguns in a private sale, and (viii) purchases of antique firearms.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0992)

Last Action Date: April 9, 2020

Virginia SB240

Title: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk of injury to himself, etc., penalties.

Description: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk; penalties. Creates a 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. Upon service of an emergency substantial risk order, the person who is subject to the order shall be given the opportunity to voluntarily relinquish any firearm. An emergency substantial risk order shall expire on the fourteenth day following issuance of the order. The bill requires a court hearing in the circuit court for the jurisdiction where the order was issued within 14 days from issuance of an emergency substantial risk order to determine whether a substantial risk order should be issued. Seized firearms shall be retained by a law-enforcement agency for the duration of an emergency substantial risk order or a substantial risk order or, for a substantial risk order and with court approval, may be transferred to a third party 21 years of age or older chosen by the person from whom they were seized. The bill allows the complainant of the original warrant to file a motion for a hearing to extend the substantial risk order prior to its expiration. The court may extend the substantial risk order for a period not longer than 180 days. The bill provides that persons who are subject to a substantial risk order, until such order has been dissolved by a court, are guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm; are disqualified from having a concealed handgun permit; and may not be employed by a licensed firearms dealer. The bill also provides that a person who transfers a firearm to a person he knows has been served with a warrant or who is the subject of a substantial risk order is guilty of a Class 4 felony. The bill creates a computerized substantial risk order registry for the entry of orders issued pursuant to provisions in the bill.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0888)

Last Action Date: April 8, 2020

Virginia HB674

Title: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk of injury to himself, etc., penalties.

Description: Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk; penalties. Creates a 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. Upon service of an emergency substantial risk order, the person who is subject to the order shall be given the opportunity to voluntarily relinquish any firearm. An emergency substantial risk order shall expire on the fourteenth day following issuance of the order. The bill requires a court hearing in the circuit court for the jurisdiction where the order was issued within 14 days from issuance of an emergency substantial risk order to determine whether a substantial risk order should be issued. Seized firearms shall be retained by a law-enforcement agency for the duration of an emergency substantial risk order or a substantial risk order or, for a substantial risk order and with court approval, may be transferred to a third party 21 years of age or older chosen by the person from whom they were seized. The bill allows the complainant of the original warrant to file a motion for a hearing to extend the substantial risk order prior to its expiration. The court may extend the substantial risk order for a period not longer than 180 days. The bill provides that persons who are subject to a substantial risk order, until such order has been dissolved by a court, are guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm; are disqualified from having a concealed handgun permit; and may not be employed by a licensed firearms dealer. The bill also provides that a person who transfers a firearm to a person he knows has been served with a warrant or who is the subject of a substantial risk order is guilty of a Class 4 felony. The bill creates a computerized substantial risk order registry for the entry of orders issued pursuant to provisions in the bill.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0887)

Last Action Date: April 8, 2020

Virginia SB543

Title: Firearms shows; mandatory background check.

Description: Firearms shows; mandatory background check. Requires the Department of State Police to perform a criminal history record information check on the prospective purchaser or transferee prior to the completion of any firearms transaction at a firearms show held in the Commonwealth. Current law requires the Department of State Police to be available at every firearms show held in the Commonwealth to perform criminal history record information checks but does not require such checks to be performed unless requested by a party involved in the transaction.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0828)

Last Action Date: April 7, 2020

Virginia SB248

Title: Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund; created, moneys accruing to Fund, etc.

Description: Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund. Establishes the Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund to be administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for the purpose of supporting violence intervention and prevention programs, including street outreach, hospital-based violence intervention, and group violence intervention programs.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0818)

Last Action Date: April 7, 2020

Virginia SB173

Title: Stun weapons; prohibits possession on school property, exemptions.

Description: Prohibition on possession of stun weapon on school property; exemptions. Allows the holder of a valid concealed handgun permit to possess a stun weapon on school property while in a motor vehicle in a parking lot, traffic circle, or other means of vehicular ingress or egress to the school. The bill also allows a stun weapon to be stored in a closed container in a motor vehicle while such vehicle is on school property.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0693)

Last Action Date: April 6, 2020

Virginia HB9

Title: Firearms; reporting those lost or stolen, civil penalty.

Description: Reporting lost or stolen firearms; civil penalty. Requires 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. The bill requires the relevant law-enforcement agency to enter the report information into the National Crime Information Center. A violation is punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $250. The bill provides that a person who, in good faith, reports the loss or theft is immune from criminal or civil liability for acts or omissions that result from the loss or theft. The immunity does not apply to a person who knowingly gives a false report. The bill does not apply to the loss or theft of an antique firearm.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0743)

Last Action Date: April 6, 2020

Virginia HB1083

Title: Minors; allowing access to firearms, Class 1 misdemeanor.

Description: Allowing access to firearms by minors; penalty. Provides that any person who recklessly leaves a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any person under the age of 14 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Current law provides that any person who recklessly leaves a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the age of 14 is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0742)

Last Action Date: April 6, 2020

Virginia SB64

Title: Paramilitary activities; penalty.

Description: Paramilitary activities; penalty. Provides that a person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity if such person brandishes a firearm or any air-operated or gas-operated weapon or any object similar in appearance while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the intent to intimidate any person or group of persons. Such unlawful paramilitary activity is punishable as a Class 5 felony.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0601)

Last Action Date: April 2, 2020

Virginia SB14

Title: Trigger activators; prohibition, penalty.

Description: Trigger activators; prohibition; penalty. Prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale or offer to sell, possession, transfer, or transportation of a trigger activator, defined in the bill as a device designed to allow a semi-automatic firearm to shoot more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger by harnessing the recoil energy of any semi-automatic firearm to which it is affixed so that the trigger resets and continues firing without additional physical manipulation of the trigger by the shooter. A violation is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0527)

Last Action Date: March 31, 2020

Virginia HB888

Title: Retail Sales and Use Tax; exemption for certain gun safes.

Description: Sales tax exemption; gun safes. Establishes an exemption from retail sales tax for a gun safe with a selling price of $1,500 or less. The bill defines "gun safe" as a safe or vault that is (i) commercially available, (ii) secured with a digital or dial combination locking mechanism or biometric locking mechanism, and (iii) designed for the storage of a firearm or of ammunition for use in a firearm. Under the bill, "gun safe" does not include a glass-faced cabinet.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0507)

Last Action Date: March 27, 2020

Virginia HB160

Title: License plates, special; bearing the legend STOP GUN VIOLENCE, revenue-sharing provisions.

Description: Special license plate bearing the legend STOP GUN VIOLENCE; revenue-sharing provisions. Provides that the special license plate bearing the legend STOP GUN VIOLENCE will remain nonrevenue-sharing. Current law provides that such special license plate will become revenue-sharing on July 1, 2020.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0426)

Last Action Date: March 23, 2020

Virginia HB264

Title: Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence, effective date.

Description: Concealed handgun permits; demonstration of competence. Removes the option for concealed handgun permit applicants to demonstrate competence with a handgun by completing an electronic, video, or online course conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor. The bill does not affect any in-person means of satisfying the requirement to demonstrate competence with a handgun under current law. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2021.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0390)

Last Action Date: March 23, 2020

Virginia SB670

Title: Unrestorably incompetent defendant; competency report.

Description: Unrestorably incompetent defendant; competency report. Provides that in cases where a defendant is likely to remain incompetent for the foreseeable future due to an ongoing and irreversible medical condition and prior medical or educational records are available to support the diagnosis, a competency report may recommend that the court find the defendant unrestorably incompetent to stand trial, and the court may proceed with the disposition of the case based on such recommendation. Under current law, the defendant is required to undergo treatment to restore his competency before the court can find a defendant unrestorably incompetent to stand trial. The bill also provides that such person who is found unrestorably incompetent to stand trial shall be prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0299)

Last Action Date: March 11, 2020

Virginia SB268

Title: Retail Sales and Use Tax; exemption for certain gun safes.

Description: Sales tax exemption; gun safes. Establishes an exemption from retail sales tax for a gun safe with a selling price of $1,500 or less. The bill defines "gun safe" as a safe or vault that is (i) commercially available, (ii) secured with a digital or dial combination locking mechanism or biometric locking mechanism, and (iii) designed for the storage of a firearm or of ammunition for use in a firearm. Under the bill, "gun safe" does not include a glass-faced cabinet.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0191)

Last Action Date: March 6, 2020

Virginia HB1076

Title: Concealed weapons; sling bow.

Description: Carrying concealed weapons; sling bow. Replaces "slingshot" with "sling bow" in the list of weapons a person is prohibited from carrying concealed. The bill also removes the Harbormaster of the City of Hopewell from the list of individuals who, while in the discharge of their official duties, or while in transit to or from such duties, are exempted from the prohibition on carrying a concealed weapon.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0142)

Last Action Date: March 4, 2020

Virginia HB923

Title: Alcoholic beverage control; interdiction of intoxicated driver, etc.

Description: Alcoholic beverage control; interdiction; habitual drunkard; repeal. Repeals the provision allowing a court to enter an order of interdiction prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to any person who has shown himself to be a habitual drunkard. The bill also repeals the provision that disqualifies habitual drunkards from being able to obtain a concealed handgun permit.

Last Action: Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0150)

Last Action Date: March 4, 2020

Virginia SB88

Title: Discharging firearm; penalty.

Description: Discharging firearm; penalty. Imposes a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of three years for violations of (i) maliciously discharging a firearm within or at an occupied building or dwelling house; (ii) willfully discharging a firearm within or at any school building, upon the buildings or grounds of any school, or upon any public property within 1,000 feet of the property line of a school; and (iii) intentionally discharging a firearm while in or on a motor vehicle so as to create risk of death or injury to another person. The bill also imposes a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year for violations of (a) unlawfully, but not maliciously, discharging a firearm within or at an occupied building or dwelling house and (b) willfully discharging a firearm in a public place when such discharge results in bodily injury to another person. The bill imposes a mandatory minimum term of confinement in jail of 90 days for violations of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place when such discharge does not result in bodily injury to another person.

Last Action: Passed by indefinitely in Judiciary (9-Y 6-N)

Last Action Date: January 22, 2020