HB 702: Local law-enforcement agencies; firearm give-back or buy-back programs. - Virginia

Firearms Subcommittee Substitute → Courts of Justice Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reclassified from a House Substitute to a Senate Substitute, indicating it has moved to the Senate for further review. The substantive text was reorganized to formally amend existing Virginia Code sections rather than creating new ones, clarifying the legal authority for firearm give-back and buy-back programs. The core requirements for agencies to implement these programs by January 1, 2028, and the specific rules for handling surrendered firearms remain largely the same.

Scope change

The bill's scope is now explicitly tied to amending specific sections of the Code of Virginia (15.2-915.5 and 15.2-915.6), formalizing the legal framework for local law-enforcement agencies to run firearm surrender programs.

TECHNICAL

The bill format changed from a standalone directive to a formal amendment of existing Code of Virginia sections.

The original House Substitute header and bill number were replaced with the Senate Substitute header and new bill number.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added stating that localities must pass a specific ordinance to participate in any program where individuals receive something of value in exchange for surrendering a firearm.

The handling of antique and historically significant firearms was streamlined; they are now exempt from mandatory destruction unless no museum, historical society, or dealer agrees to accept them within 180 days.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Historically significant firearm' was slightly simplified by removing the explicit cross-reference to the antique firearm definition within the definition itself.

Public Safety Substitute → Firearms Subcommittee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was moved from the Public Safety Committee to the Firearms Subcommittee, indicating a shift in legislative focus toward gun policy. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a requirement to return lost or stolen firearms to their original owners before destroying them, replacing the previous rule that allowed immediate destruction if the gun was not evidence. The bill also retains provisions for exempting antique and historically significant firearms from mandatory destruction.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding firearm disposition has expanded to include a mandatory return process for lost or stolen weapons, altering the conditions under which firearms can be destroyed.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that returned firearms must be returned to the original owner if determined to be lost or stolen, rather than being immediately destroyed or retained as evidence.

Inserted a new clause (ix) to the list of policy requirements, ensuring the confidentiality of a person's identity when they surrender a firearm.

TECHNICAL

Changed the date reference from 'January 1, 2028' to 'January 1, 2028,' (adding a comma) and updated the session header to reflect the 2026 session.

Reformatted the document layout and header to match the standard 'House Substitute' style used by the Firearms Subcommittee.

Enrolled → Public Safety Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an 'Enrolled' version into a 'Public Safety Substitute' amendment, which significantly simplified the text and removed a key restriction. The original version required local governments to pass a separate ordinance before starting a gun buy-back program, while the new version mandates that all local law-enforcement agencies directly implement these programs by January 1, 2028, without needing prior local approval.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a permissive model (allowing programs only if authorized by local ordinance) to a mandatory model (requiring all agencies to create policies).

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for localities to enact a separate ordinance to authorize firearm give-back or buy-back programs.

Condensed the policy requirements into a single paragraph, removing specific details about newspaper advertisements for auctions and the option to sell firearms to dealers.

Simplified the destruction timeline for non-evidence firearms from 90 days to a general requirement to destroy them.

TIMELINE

Changed the implementation deadline from 'annually thereafter' starting in 2028 to a single mandatory deadline of January 1, 2028.

DEFINITION

Removed specific definitions for 'antique firearm' and 'historically significant firearm' and the exemption allowing these specific guns to be donated to museums.

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 4, 2026

MODERATE

The bill evolved from a proposal establishing a state-run firearm give-back program to a final version that mandates local law enforcement agencies to create their own give-back or buy-back programs. The scope shifted from a voluntary state initiative to a requirement for counties and cities to establish local programs with specific procedures for handling surrendered firearms.

Scope change

The program shifted from a voluntary state-administered initiative to a mandatory requirement for local law enforcement agencies (counties and cities) to develop and implement their own local programs.

SCOPE

The bill changed from creating a single state program to requiring every local law enforcement agency to establish its own give-back or buy-back program.

REQUIREMENT

New mandatory procedures were added, including forensic testing of all surrendered firearms, returning lost or stolen guns to owners, and strict timelines for destroying inoperable firearms.

DEFINITION

New definitions were created for 'antique firearm' and 'historically significant firearm,' which are exempt from mandatory destruction if they have collector or educational value.

TIMELINE

A specific deadline was set for local agencies to have their policies in place by January 1, 2028.

FISCAL

The specific state 'Virginia Firearm Give-Back Fund' and its administrative rules were removed, as the program is now managed locally.

New rules were added stating that any money raised from selling surrendered firearms must go to the local government's general fund or be used specifically for that local program.

Local law-enforcement agencies; firearm give-back or buy-back programs.

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