VirginiaSB1152026 Regular SessionSenate

Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states.

Sponsored By: Stella G. Pekarsky (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states. Provides that the Office of the Attorney General shall determine whether other states' concealed handgun permit requirements are substantially similar to the statutory qualifications for Virginia to recognize the concealed handgun permit of a person from such other state. Under current law, any out-of-state permit is recognized in the Commonwealth, provided that (i) the issuing authority provides the means for instantaneous verification of the validity of all such permits or licenses issued within that state accessible 24 hours a day, (ii) the permit or license holder carries a photo identification issued by a government agency of any state or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of State and displays the permit or license and such identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer, and (iii) the permit or license holder has not previously had a Virginia concealed handgun permit revoked. The bill exempts an active duty service member or such service member's spouse from the requirements of the bill. The foregoing provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.The bill also directs the Office of the Attorney General to review any agreements for reciprocal recognition that are in place with any other states as of July 1, 2026, to determine whether the requirements of those states' laws are substantially similar to the Commonwealth's concealed carry permit requirements and revoke any reciprocity agreement or recognition of any states that do not meet such requirements by December 1, 2026. The bill requires the Attorney General to provide a written explanation for any determination that a state's laws are substantially similar to the requirements of the bill to prevent possession of such permit or license by persons who would be denied such permit in the Commonwealth.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

2026 review of reciprocity agreements

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Attorney General reviews all concealed‑carry reciprocity agreements in place on that date. If a state’s laws are not substantially similar to Virginia’s permit rules, the Attorney General revokes recognition by December 1, 2026. When finding that a state’s laws are substantially similar, the Attorney General provides a written explanation.

Police ID works as carry permit

Beginning July 1, 2027, an active‑duty Virginia law‑enforcement officer who is exempt from getting a concealed‑handgun permit can use their official police ID as a permit for reciprocity. This applies only to officers with that exemption and an official government‑issued ID.

Virginia residents need a Virginia permit

Beginning July 1, 2027, if you live in Virginia and do not have a valid Virginia concealed‑handgun permit, you cannot use an out‑of‑state permit to carry concealed here. This rule does not apply to active‑duty U.S. service members or their spouses.

Out-of-state concealed carry with checks

Beginning July 1, 2027, Virginia recognizes out-of-state concealed-carry permits when key checks are met. You must be 21 or older, carry government photo ID, and show both ID and the permit when an officer asks. The issuing state must allow instant verification of permit validity (24/7 if available). You are not eligible if a Virginia permit was revoked, unless the revocation was only for age or weapon-type reasons. Only states with requirements substantially similar to Virginia’s qualify; the Attorney General decides and State Police post the list and keep a registry. If another state requires it, the Attorney General signs or approves reciprocity agreements within 30 days.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stella G. Pekarsky

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 301 • No: 171

House vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 62 • No: 33

Senate vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate acceded to request Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

House substitute rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 40

House vote 3/9/2026

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 61 • No: 34

House vote 3/4/2026

Reported from Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/27/2026

Reported from Public Safety with substitute and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/26/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 7 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Finance and Appropriations Amendments agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendments

Yes: 10 • No: 5

Senate vote 1/26/2026

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

Yes: 9 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0879)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 879 (Effective 7/1/2027)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB115)

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

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

    3/31/2026Senate
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB115ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB115)

    3/23/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026Senate
  12. Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 33-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026House
  13. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  14. House Conferees: Helmer, Simon, Wilt

    3/12/2026House
  15. Conferees appointed by House

    3/12/2026House
  16. Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  17. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  18. Senate Conferees: Pekarsky, Surovell, Sturtevant

    3/12/2026Senate
  19. House requested conference committee

    3/11/2026House
  20. House insisted on substitute

    3/11/2026House
  21. House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  22. Passed House with substitute (61-Y 34-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026House
  23. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    3/9/2026House
  24. committee substitute agreed to

    3/9/2026House
  25. committee substitute rejected

    3/9/2026House

Bill Text

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