VirginiaHB8712026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Firearms; storage in residence where minor or person prohibited from possessing is present, penalty.

Sponsored By: Mark C. Downey (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty. Provides that any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present shall store such firearm and the ammunition for such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person. Under the bill, any person who violates this provision is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. The bill also requires any dealer, as that term is defined in current law, to post a written notice informing the public of the penalty imposed for failure to comply with the bill's provisions. This bill is identical to SB 348.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Gun dealers must post safety notice

Firearm dealers must post a clear notice in the store about the home gun storage rule. The notice must also say that breaking the rule is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Secure guns at home around minors

Virginia law requires you to secure a gun at home if you know a child or a person banned from guns is there. Lock it in a container, cabinet, or compartment they cannot access, or use a gun lock. You may keep it loaded only in a device with a combination, code, or biometric lock, and no child or banned person can be an authorized user. Breaking this rule is a Class 2 misdemeanor. The rule does not apply when you are lawfully carrying the gun on your body or to antique firearms. You may still allow a minor access if you follow Virginia’s rules for lawful minor access.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark C. Downey

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 371 • No: 205

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: 37

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 64 • No: 36

House vote 3/4/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 60 • No: 34

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

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • 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 2/5/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 60 • No: 37

House vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Public Safety

Yes: 14 • No: 7

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 6 • No: 4

House vote 1/29/2026

Reconsidered by Public Safety (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting

Yes: 3 • 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 37-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Reconsideration of Governor's recommendation agreed to

    4/22/2026House
  4. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 36-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1074)

    4/22/2026Governor
  6. Reenrolled bill text (HB871ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  7. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026House
  8. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1074 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  9. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  10. Signed by Speaker

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

    4/22/2026Governor
  12. Governor's recommendation received by House

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

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

    3/14/2026House
  15. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  16. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB871)

    3/11/2026House
  17. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB871ER)

    3/11/2026House
  18. Enrolled

    3/11/2026House
  19. Signed by President

    3/11/2026Senate
  20. Senate substitute agreed to by House (60-Y 34-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026House
  21. Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  22. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

    3/2/2026Senate
  23. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/2/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day

    2/27/2026Senate
  25. Read third time

    2/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

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