Virginia Citizens Defense league

Defending Your Right to Defend Yourself

va-alert-Legislative Update

Published 4/14/2026

Status of remaining gun bills

on Gov. Spanberger’s desk

The Governor has finished with the bills that were on her desk. Once the General Assembly Veto Session is over on April 22, VCDL will put out a comprehensive alert on exactly how all the new gun laws will affect you.

Bills that have been signed into law on

April 11-13 and take effect on July 1, 2026

SB 115, Senator Pekarsky, severely restricts concealed handgun permit reciprocity with other states. Currently, Virginia honors permits from all other states, which, in turn, allows Virginians to be able to carry in most of those states. Virginia residents may not use a permit from another state to carry in Virginia. They must have a Virginia permit.

HB 110, Delegate Laufer, and SB 496, Senator Marsden, requires a handgun to be placed out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container. The container may be attached to the vehicle’s interior by a steel cable or a bolt. A locked glove box and a locked console can be used to store a gun. If a stolen handgun is reported to law enforcement within 48 hours, the potential charge for failing to secure the handgun under this code section is waived.

SB 272, Senator Deeds, and HB 626, Delegate Callsen, restricts firearms at public institutions of higher education by requiring such firearms be part of an authorized program or activity inside a building.

HB 901, Delegate Sullivan, expands the Red Flag law by allowing more categories of people to petition for someone to be Red Flagged. The expanded types of petitioners cover various kinds of counselors and medical professionals. It now also includes immediate family or household members and intimate partners. The recent lawful acquisition of a firearm or ammunition is considered possible evidence that someone might need to be Red Flagged!

SB 495, Senator Deeds, adds a family or household member, a mental health service provider, or an appointed evaluator from a community services board to the list of people who can petition for a Red Flag order.

Bills that have been modified by the Governor

April 11-13 and returned to the General Assembly

to be considered on April 22

HB 217, Delegate Helmer, prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, and purchase of an “assault firearm” on or after July 1, 2026. “Assault firearms” possessed before July 1, 2026, are grandfathered and may be possessed, carried, and transported. Handguns now must have two of the cosmetic features to be considered an “assault firearm,” not including the removable magazine. Long guns only need one of the cosmetic features. Maximum magazine capacity is 15 rounds. Magazines that hold more than 15 rounds and were made before July 1, 2026, are grandfathered and can be possessed, transported, and carried, but not sold or purchased. The Governor recommends making any semi-automatic, centerfire rifle or pistol with a magazine that has a capacity of more than 15 rounds an assault firearm.

HB 1524, Delegate McGuire, prohibits the carry of certain loaded semi-automatic rifles, handguns, and shotguns on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public in the Commonwealth. There is no exemption for CHP holders. Governor recommends not allowing any rifle or handgun with a magazine that holds more than 15 rounds to be carried in public; and recommends removing the exemptions for off-duty or retired law enforcement and licensed security guards.

HB 871, Delegate Downey, requires all firearms in a home, that are not being carried on a person, to be unloaded and placed in a locked container if there is a minor in the home or if there is a prohibited person in the home. A gun may only be stored loaded if it is in a safe that has either a combination lock, a coded lock, or a biometric lock. Violation is Class 4 misdemeanor. Gun dealers must post signage about the law and there is also a provision to educate the public on firearm storage. Governor recommends any locking device that renders the firearm incapable of being fired be allowed, too; ammunition does not have to be stored in any particular manner; the penalty be increased from a Class 4 to a Class 2 misdemeanor.

HB 229, Delegate Hernandez, or SB 173, Senator Williams Graves, prohibits firearms, or knives with a blade longer than 3.5 inches, in facilities that provide mental health services or developmental services, including hospitals, emergency departments, or emergency medical care facilities, if they offer such services.  Governor recommends removing exemptions for someone with written authorization from the hospital, armed security officers, and someone brought into a hospital as part of an emergency custody order or involuntary detention order.

HB 101, Delegate Ballard, eliminates the requirement that a concealed handgun permit be requested in writing, allowing for other methods of applying for a permit. Governor recommends using “in writing or electronically” wording.

HB 1015, Delegate Tran, prohibits a person convicted of a misdemeanor assault and battery hate crime from being able to possess firearms.

HB 702, Delegate Cole, creates a “Firearm Give-Back or Buy-Back Program.” The sole purpose is for local law enforcement, to collect and destroy any firearms that are voluntarily turned in, with exceptions for antiques or “historically significant firearms.” Governor recommends changing the term, “buy back” to “sell back.”

HB 909, Delegate Shin, expands the prohibition on the carry of firearms from 40 feet to 100 feet outside of a polling place or outside a building where the local electoral board is meeting. Governor recommends clarifying that the restriction is only when the building or part thereof is being used as an additional registration site.

HB 1525, Delegate McGuire, prohibits 18, 19, and 20-year-olds from purchasing a handgun or “assault firearm” anywhere in the Commonwealth.  Governor recommends this bill reinstate Universal Background Checks as soon as it becomes effective, possibly on April 23, 2026.