# Virginia SB749: Assault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties.

Virginia SB749, Assault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-05-14 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1107)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB749-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB749
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Assault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-19
- Last action: 2026-05-14, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1107)
- Sponsor: Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 11 (195 yes, 108 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 8

## Summary

Purchase, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalties. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm, as that term is defined in the bill with some exceptions, and prohibits a person who has been convicted of such violation from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm for a period of three years from the date of conviction. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, or is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action. The bill also prohibits the sale of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, transfers, or purchases a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill is identical to HB 217.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Gun buyers and sellers face checks: cost, medium. Dealers must get written consent and request criminal-history checks before covered transfers to Virginia residents. Forms ask about listed misdemeanors and qualifying juvenile findings for offenses committed at age 14 or older. Private sellers generally must use a designated dealer to verify that…
- Some noncitizens cannot get assault firearms: cost, medium. Virginia dealers cannot sell, rent, trade, or transfer covered assault firearms from their inventory to some noncitizens. The restriction applies to recipients who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents.
- Buyers face limits on assault firearms: cost, medium. Virginia bans importing, selling, making, buying, or transferring covered assault firearms, subject to listed exceptions; violations are Class 1 misdemeanors. Sales include exchanges for money, goods, or services, and willful, intentional sales or purchases carry that penalty. Covered guns include…
- Buyers face limits on large magazines: cost, medium. Importing, selling, bartering, transferring, or buying covered ammunition-feeding devices in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Covered devices hold, or can readily be restored or converted to accept, more than 15 rounds. Attached tubular devices designed for and usable only with .22 caliber rimfir…
- Gun convictions trigger three-year firearm bans: cost, low. Covered convictions, including assault-firearm violations under § 18.2-287.4:1, bar buying, possessing, or transporting firearms for three years from conviction. Knowingly and intentionally breaking that ban is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and people barred under § 18.2-308.1:9 cannot get concealed-handg…
- Gun violations can trigger property forfeiture: cost, low. Virginia adds assault-firearm violations under § 18.2-287.4:1 to offenses that can trigger firearm or weapon forfeiture. Covered property may be forfeited to the state when concealed, possessed, transported, or carried in violation of a listed law.
- Minors face handgun and assault-firearm limits: cost, low. People under 18 cannot knowingly and intentionally possess or transport handguns or covered assault firearms in Virginia. Violations are Class 1 misdemeanors. Exceptions cover specified home, family-property, landowner-permitted, supervised range or class, lawful hunting, and military or National G…
- Local gun buybacks face disposal rules: mixed, low. Localities need an authorizing ordinance for programs exchanging something of value for surrendered firearms, except voluntary assault-firearm buybacks or givebacks. The ordinance must require destruction unless the surrendering owner requests in writing an auction or sealed-bid sale to a federally…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-22 | Senate | Passed by for the day | pass | 21 | 18 |   |
| 2026-03-09 | Senate | House substitute agreed to by Senate | pass | 21 | 19 |   |
| 2026-03-04 | House | Passed House with substitute | pass | 59 | 35 |   |
| 2026-02-27 | House | Reported from Public Safety with substitute | pass | 14 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 21 | 19 |   |
| 2026-02-06 | Senate | Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-06 | Senate | Courts of Justice Substitute rejected | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-05 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-05 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-04 | Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute | pass | 10 | 5 |   |
| 2026-01-26 | Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 9 | 5 |   |

## Actions (54)

- 2026-05-14: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1107) (Governor)
- 2026-05-14: Approved by Governor-Chapter 1107 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Communicated to Governor (Senate)
- 2026-04-14: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:35 pm) (Senate)
- 2026-04-11: Governor's recommendation received by Senate (Governor)
- 2026-04-03: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/3/2026 1:29 pm) (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-14: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-13: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB749) (Senate)
- 2026-03-13: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB749ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-13: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-13: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-13: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-09: House substitute agreed to by Senate (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/9/2026 10:46 am) (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB749) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Passed House with substitute (59-Y 35-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-04: Engrossed by House - floor substitute (House)
- 2026-03-04: Delegate Helmer Floor substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-03-04: committee substitute rejected (House)
- 2026-03-04: Read third time (House)
- 2026-03-04: Floor Offered (House)
- 2026-03-04: Floor substitute printed 26109153D-H2 (Helmer) (House)
- 2026-03-03: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-27: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/27/2026 4:03 pm) (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Committee substitute printed 26108724D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-27: House committee offered (House)
- 2026-02-27: Reported from Public Safety with substitute (14-Y 7-N) (House)
- 2026-02-12: Referred to Committee on Public Safety (House)
- 2026-02-12: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-12: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-10: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB749) (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Courts of Justice Substitute rejected (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/5/2026 4:34 pm) (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Committee substitute printed 26106501D-S2 (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-04: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-27: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/27/2026 1:49 pm) (Senate)
- 2026-01-27: Committee substitute printed 26106212D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-24: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB749) (Senate)
- 2026-01-21: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/21/2026 11:10 am) (Senate)
- 2026-01-19: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2026-01-19: Presented and ordered printed 26100444D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-05-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225672.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225671.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-04-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219648.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219647.PDF)
- Gov Recommendation, 2026-04-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219644.HTML)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1207070.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1207069.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1192051.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1192050.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-27: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186981.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185467.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185466.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186980.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1130274.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1130273.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127867.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127866.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-27: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098201.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098200.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-26: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096418.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096417.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-19: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092291.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092290.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225672.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225671.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219648.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219647.PDF)
- [Gov Recommendation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219644.HTML)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1207070.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1207069.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1192051.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1192050.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186981.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185467.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185466.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1186980.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1130274.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1130273.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127867.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127866.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098201.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098200.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096418.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096417.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092291.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092290.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB749-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).