VirginiaSB7272026 Regular SessionSenate

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

Sponsored By: Jerrauld C. "Jay" Jones (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited in the Commonwealth; 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. This bill incorporates SB 312.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Minimum $50,000 prison cost estimate

The Sentencing Commission must assign at least $50,000 as the fiscal impact for state adult prison time tied to this law. It must also assign a minimum fiscal impact for youth commitments, but the dollar amount is not set. This sets a floor for budget estimates and does not provide the money itself.

No loaded assault firearms in public areas

The law makes it illegal to carry a loaded assault firearm on public streets, sidewalks, parks, or any place open to the public in Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and in Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties. An assault firearm includes a semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol with a magazine over 20 rounds, or designed for a silencer or with a folding stock, or a shotgun with a magazine over 7 rounds. Exemptions include law-enforcement officers, licensed security guards on duty, military on duty, people with a valid concealed handgun permit, recognized cadets in sanctioned training or official state ceremonies, and people actually hunting or shooting at an established range or contest. Other state-law carry exemptions also apply. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jerrauld C. "Jay" Jones

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 250 • No: 153

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 59 • No: 38

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/6/2026

House substitute agreed to by Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

House vote 3/4/2026

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 55 • No: 41

House vote 2/27/2026

Reported from Public Safety with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 8

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Courts of Justice Substitute rejected

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

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. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (59-Y 38-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  2. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1025)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (SB727ER2)

    4/22/2026Senate
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026Senate
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1025 (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 Senate

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

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

    3/14/2026Senate
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB727)

    3/12/2026Senate
  14. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB727ER)

    3/12/2026Senate
  15. Enrolled

    3/12/2026Senate
  16. Signed by President

    3/12/2026Senate
  17. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  18. House substitute agreed to by Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026Senate
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB727)

    3/4/2026Senate
  20. Passed House with substitute (55-Y 41-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    3/4/2026House
  22. committee substitute agreed to

    3/4/2026House
  23. Read third time

    3/4/2026House
  24. Read second time

    3/3/2026House
  25. Committee substitute printed 26108968D-H1

    3/2/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation