VirginiaHB7022026 Regular SessionHouse

Local law-enforcement agencies; firearm give-back or sell-back programs.

Sponsored By: Joshua G. Cole (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Local law-enforcement agencies; firearm give-back or buy-back programs. Allows for any county or city law-enforcement agency and any town law-enforcement agency to develop policies and procedures to implement either a firearm give-back program or a firearm buy-back program by January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter. The bill enumerates several requirements to be included in such policies. The bill also requires local law-enforcement agencies to submit an annual report to the Department of State Police. The bill states that proceeds generated from the sale or auction of a returned firearm shall be deposited into the locality's general fund or used solely for the administration of the locality's firearm give-back program or firearm buy-back program.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Testing and return of surrendered guns

Every gun turned in through a local program must be forensically tested. If the test shows it was used in a crime, the agency may keep it as evidence. If it is identified as lost or stolen, the agency must return it to the rightful owner under state law.

Local gun give-back program rules

Local governments may not run a program that gives money or goods for a surrendered gun unless their governing body passes an ordinance. By January 1, 2028, every county and city law‑enforcement agency must have written policies for a give‑back or sell‑back program and update them each year. Agencies must say when and where people can return firearms. They must keep the identity of anyone who surrenders a gun confidential. Agencies that run a program must report each year to the Virginia State Police how many firearms they received.

What happens to most returned guns

If a returned gun is not evidence and not needed for prosecution, the agency must destroy it within 90 days. “Destroyed” means the gun is made permanently inoperable, such as by melting, shredding, or crushing. Antique firearms (as defined in state law) and historically significant firearms (at least 40 years old, not antique, and with historical, collector, or educational value) are not destroyed right away. They may be donated to a museum, historical society, or school, or sent to a licensed dealer for sale or auction. If no one accepts them, the agency must destroy the gun within 180 days after it is cleared as non‑evidence.

When surrendered guns can be sold

Local ordinances must require destroying surrendered guns unless the person who turns in the gun asks in writing to have it sold to a federally licensed dealer by public auction or sealed bids. Guns that cannot be legally transferred (such as certain weapons under state or federal law) are not eligible for sale. Any public sale must be advertised in at least two newspapers, with at least one in the local area, and the sale must be at least 30 days after the notice. If a sale fails, the locality may destroy the gun or sell it to a licensed dealer, following federal rules. Money from sales must go to the locality’s general fund or be used only to run the program.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joshua G. Cole

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 316 • No: 165

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 21 • No: 18

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 63 • No: 36

House vote 2/27/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 59 • No: 34

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 34 • Other: 1

House vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/4/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 5 • No: 2

House vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Public Safety with substitute and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 6

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 7 • No: 3

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 (63-Y 36-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1067)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (HB702ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026House
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1067 (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. Governor's recommendation received by House

    4/12/2026Governor
  11. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  12. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB702)

    3/5/2026House
  14. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB702ER)

    3/4/2026House
  15. Enrolled

    3/4/2026House
  16. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  18. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB702)

    2/27/2026House
  19. Senate substitute agreed to by House (59-Y 34-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026House
  20. Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026Senate
  21. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

    2/25/2026Senate
  22. Committee substitute printed 26108462D-S1

    2/25/2026Senate
  23. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    2/25/2026Senate
  24. Read third time

    2/25/2026Senate
  25. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/24/2026Senate

Bill Text

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