2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26106114D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1525

Offered January 27, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.7 of the Code of Virginia, relating to purchase, possession, or transportation of certain firearms by persons younger than 21 years of age; penalty.

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Patron—McGuire

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Unanimous consent to introduce

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Committee Referral Pending

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-308.7 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-308.7. Purchase, possession, or transportation of certain firearms by persons younger than 21 years of age; penalty.

It shall be is unlawful for any person under 18 younger than 21 years of age to knowingly and intentionally purchase, possess, or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, "handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made, and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand and "assault firearm" means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.

This section shall not apply to:

1. Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in a resident of the home or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian, provided that such weapon was used during the course of a lawful act of self-defense or defense of another person; or (iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the landowner's written permission on his person while on such property;

2. Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported;

3. 2. Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting area or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; and

4. 3. Any person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state.