Criminal Justice (Firearms)

vetoed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 11, 2026

HB 1525: Firearms, certain; definitions, possession, transportation, or purchase by certain persons, penalty.

Possession, transportation, or purchase of certain firearms by certain persons; penalty. Provides additional exceptions, outlined in the bill, for persons younger than 18 years of age to possess or transport handguns or assault firearms anywhere in the Commonwealth. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for persons younger than 21 years of age to purchase a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts firearm access for minors under 21, expanding criminalization and limiting rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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vetoed · Virginia · Senate Apr 11, 2026

SB 727: Assault firearms, loaded; carrying in public areas prohibited in the Commonwealth, penalty.

Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited in the Commonwealth; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of certain semi-automatic center-fire rifles, pistols, and shotguns or any firearm modified to be operable as an assault firearm on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public, with certain exceptions. Under current law, the prohibition on carrying certain shotguns and semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols applies to a narrower range of firearms, only in certain localities, and only when such firearms are loaded. A violation of this prohibition is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill incorporates SB 312.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor for carrying loaded firearms in public, expanding criminalization per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Virginia · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 307: Crimes by gangs; definition of "predicate criminal act," penalties.

Crimes by gangs; definition of "predicate criminal act"; penalties. Adds the misdemeanor and felony offenses of carrying a concealed weapon and the misdemeanor offense of pointing, holding, or brandishing a firearm, air or gas operated weapon, or object similar in appearance to the definition of "predicate criminal act" related to prohibited criminal street gang participation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds concealed weapon offenses to gang predicate acts, expanding criminalization of gang-related behavior without reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1082: Crimes by gangs; definition of "predicate criminal act", penalties.

Crimes by gangs; definition of "predicate criminal act"; penalties. Adds the misdemeanor and felony offenses of carrying a concealed weapon and the misdemeanor offense of pointing, holding, or brandishing a firearm, air or gas operated weapon, or object similar in appearance to the definition of "predicate criminal act" related to prohibited criminal street gang participation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding weapon offenses to 'predicate criminal act' for gang participation, increasing penalties for gang-related activities. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators (expands criminalization).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1427: Handguns; limitation on purchases, exemption.

Purchase of handguns; limitation on handgun purchases. Removes the prohibition on any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Current law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a violation of this provision, subject to certain exceptions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves misdemeanor penalty for multiple handgun purchases, weakening gun sales oversight and regulatory enforcement in criminal justice policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Virginia · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 78: Firearms-related offenses; increases mandatory minimum sentence, penalty.

Firearms-related offenses; mandatory minimum sentences; penalty. Increases from five to 10 years for a second or subsequent offense the mandatory minimum sentence for use or display of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for firearms offenses, directly aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator under oppose stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing

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