Proposed Virginia Firearm Legislation HB1597
Legislation Overview
Title: Secure storage of firearms; penalties.
Description: Secure storage of firearms; penalties. Creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who fails to securely store a firearm on any premises where such person knows, or reasonably should know, that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is, or is likely to be, present. The bill increases the penalty to a Class 1 misdemeanor if a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm obtains such firearm and to a Class 5 felony if such possession of the firearm results in a crime or injury. The bill includes certain exceptions and requires firearms dealers to post a notice stating firearm storage requirements and the penalty for improperly storing such firearms. The bill also creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who fails to securely store a firearm in an unattended vehicle, a Class 1 misdemeanor if another person obtains such firearm, and a Class 5 felony if such possession results in injury to the person obtaining the firearm or to another. Finally, the bill requires the Superintendent of State Police, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Health, to create a public awareness campaign on the importance of the secure storage of firearms by January 1, 2026.
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Last Action: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1597)
Last Action Date: January 16, 2025
Sponsors
Note: the first sponsor listed is normally the primary sponsor. If a sponsor's name is a hyperlink you can click on it to 'follow the money'.
4 sponsors: Michael Feggans (D); Nadarius Clark (D); Dan Helmer (D); Atoosa Reaser (D);
Percentage of House Of Delegates sponsoring bill: 4% (4 of 100)
History
| Chamber | Date | Action |
| House | Jan 16, 2025 | Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1597) |
| House | Jan 14, 2025 | Assigned PS sub: Firearms |
| House | Jan 13, 2025 | Referred from Courts of Justice and referred to Public Safety (Voice Vote) |
| House | Jan 3, 2025 | Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25103182D |
| House | Jan 3, 2025 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
Texts
| Type | Date | State Link | Text |
| Comm Sub | Jan 16, 2025 | state link | bill text |
| Introduced | Jan 3, 2025 | state link | bill text |
Amendments
| Title | Description | Date | State Link | Text | Adopted |
| There are no amendments to this bill at this time | |||||
Votes - Click on description to view vote roll call
There have not been any votes on this bill
Link: link to state bill page
