23104965D
<br><center><b>SENATE BILL NO. 1139</b></center>

<center>AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE</center>

<center>(Proposed by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary</center>

<center>on January 23, 2023)</center>

<center>(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Boysko)</center>

<i>A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section
numbered <a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.7:1">18.2-308.7:1</a>, relating to storage of firearms in a residence where a
minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty.</i>

<p>Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: </p>

<p>1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
<a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.7:1">18.2-308.7:1</a> as follows: </p>

<p><i class=new>&sect;<a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.7:1">18.2-308.7:1</a>. Storage of firearms; penalty.</i></p>

<p><i class=new>A. Any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where
such person knows that a minor under 18 years of age or a person who is
prohibited by law from possessing a firearm resides 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. Any person who
violates this section is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. </i></p>

<p><i class=new>B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i)
any person in lawful possession of a firearm who is carrying such firearm on or
about his person or (ii) the storage of any antique firearm as defined in &sect;
<a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.2:2">18.2-308.2:2</a>.</i></p>

<p><i class=new>C. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing
any person from lawfully authorizing a minor to access a firearm in accordance
with &sect;<a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-56.2">18.2-56.2</a>.</i></p>

<p><i class=new>D. Every dealer, as defined in &sect;<a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.2:2">18.2-308.2:2</a>, shall post
in a conspicuous manner at the premises of such dealer a notice stating
&quot;Any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows
that a minor under 18 years of age or a person who is prohibited by law from
possessing a firearm resides 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. A violation of this law is a
Class 4 misdemeanor.&quot;</i></p>