VirginiaHB15242026 Regular SessionHouse

Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty.

Sponsored By: Garrett McGuire (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of certain semi-automatic center-fire rifles, pistols, and shotguns or any firearm modified to be operable as an assault firearm 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, with certain exceptions. Under current law, the 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. A violation of this prohibition is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

No loaded assault firearms in some Virginia localities

The law makes it illegal to carry a loaded assault firearm on your person on public streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, parks, or any place open to the public. It applies in Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, and Virginia Beach, and in Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. Covered guns include semi-automatic center-fire rifles or pistols with a magazine holding more than 20 rounds, ones designed for a silencer, or ones with a folding stock. It also covers shotguns with a magazine that holds more than seven rounds of the longest ammo for that gun. Police, on-duty military, licensed security guards, people with a valid concealed handgun permit, cadet corps in official events or training, lawful hunters, and people at established ranges or contests are exempt; other state carry exemptions also apply. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

State uses $50,000 minimum prison cost

The Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission must use at least $50,000 when it estimates adult state prison costs from this law. This figure is a floor for budgeting under state law. The actual state appropriation can be higher. Costs for juvenile commitments cannot be determined at this time.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Garrett McGuire

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 343 • No: 286

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 59 • No: 40

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 21 • No: 18

House vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 55 • No: 38

Senate vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Senate insisted on amendments Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/4/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 0 • No: 95

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 5

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 9 • No: 5

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 54 • No: 41

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Public Safety

Yes: 13 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  2. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (59-Y 40-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1101)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (HB1524ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026House
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1101 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  9. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  10. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/15/2026 7:24 am)

    4/15/2026House
  11. Governor's recommendation received by House

    4/11/2026Governor
  12. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1524)

    4/1/2026House
  13. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  14. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  15. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  16. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1524ER)

    3/30/2026House
  17. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  18. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1524)

    3/18/2026House
  20. Conference report agreed to by House (55-Y 38-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026House
  21. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026Senate
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1524)

    3/13/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/13/2026 2:57 pm)

    3/13/2026House
  24. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/13/2026 2:06 pm)

    3/13/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/13/2026 1:57 pm)

    3/13/2026House

Bill Text

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