HB 4015 Virginia House of Delegates · 2019, 1st Special Session

Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks, penalty.

Summary
Requires a background check for any firearm transfer and directs the Department of State Police (the Department) to establish a process for transferors to obtain such a check from licensed firearms dealers. A transferor who sells a firearm to another person without obtaining the required background check is guilty of a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides that a transferee who receives a firearm from another person without obtaining the required background check is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts transfers (i) between immediate family members; (ii) that occur by operation of law; (iii) by the executor or administrator of an estate or by the trustee of a testamentary trust; (iv) at firearms shows in accordance with law; (v) that are part of a buy-back or give-back program; (vi) of antique firearms; (vii) that occur at a shooting range, shooting gallery, or any other area designed for the purpose of target shooting, for use during target practice, a firearms safety or training course or class, a shooting competition, or any similar lawful activity; or (viii) that are temporary transfers that (a) occur within the continuous presence of the owner of the firearm or (b) are necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. The bill removes the provision that makes background checks of prospective purchasers or transferees at firearms shows voluntary. The bill also provides that the Department shall have three business days to complete a criminal history record information check before a firearm may be transferred. The bill establishes an appropriation for the fiscal impact of the bill and authorizes the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget to allocate such appropriation among the agencies and programs impacted by the bill.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2019
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jul 8, 2019 Last action Jul 8, 2019
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jul 8, 2019
Committee
Referred to Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety
lower
Jul 8, 2019
Introduced
Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 07/09/19 19200151D
lower
1 primary · 42 co-sponsors

Sponsors