VirginiaFirearms; secure storage, penalties.
What it does
Secure storage of firearms; penalties. Creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who fails to securely store a firearm on any premises where such person knows, or reasonably should know, that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is, or is likely to be, present. The bill increases the penalty to a Class 1 misdemeanor if a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm obtains such firearm.
More detail
The bill includes certain exceptions and requires firearms dealers to post a notice stating firearm storage requirements and the penalty for improperly storing such firearms. The bill also creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who fails to report to law enforcement the theft or loss of a firearm from a vehicle and a Class 1 misdemeanor if another person obtains such firearm. Finally, the bill requires the Superintendent of State Police, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Health, to create a public awareness campaign on the importance of the secure storage of firearms by January 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Feb 24Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1597)Latest
- Feb 22Failed to Pass from conference
- Feb 22No further action taken
- Feb 20Delegates: Feggans, Simon, Taylor
- Vote recorded Senate insisted on amendment (39-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 20Conferees appointed by House
- Feb 20Senators: Marsden, Boysko, Stuart
- Feb 20Conferees appointed by Senate
- Feb 20House acceded to request
- Feb 19Senate requested conference committeeMinor
- Vote recorded Senate insisted on substitute (36-Y 3-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Senate insisted on substitute (36-Y 3-N)Major
- Feb 18Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 97-N)
- Vote recorded Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 97-N). Result: fail.Lower
- Feb 17Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 18-N)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 18-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Engrossed by Senate - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 17Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
- Feb 17Reading of substitute waived
- Feb 17Courts of Justice Substitute rejected
- Feb 17Read third timeMinor
- Feb 14Passed by for the day
- Feb 14Read third timeMinor
- Feb 13Passed by for the day
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 13Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N)
- Feb 13Rules suspended
- Feb 12Committee substitute printed 25107313D-S2Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)Minor
- Feb 11Committee substitute printed 25107187D-S1Major
- Feb 10Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N 1-A)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N 1-A). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 5Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 5Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 4Read third time and passed House (50-Y 48-N)Passed House
- Vote recorded Read third time and passed House (50-Y 48-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 3Public Safety Substitute agreed to
- Feb 3Read second timeMinor
- Feb 2Read first timeMinor
- Jan 31Impact statement from VCSC (HB1597)
- Vote recorded Reported from Public Safety with substitute (12-Y 9-N). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 31Committee substitute printed 25105219D-H1Major
- Jan 31Reported from Public Safety with substitute (12-Y 9-N)Minor
- Jan 14Assigned PS sub: FirearmsMinor
- Jan 13Referred from Courts of Justice and referred to Public Safety (Voice Vote)Minor
- Jan 3Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 3Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25103182DIntroduced