VA CHP Reference

Jan 14, 2026 – 2026 General Assembly convenes
Jan 17, 2026 – Inauguration Day in the Commonwealth
Jan 23, 2026 – Last day bills can be filed
Feb 18, 2026 – Transfer day. All bills that have been into and voted approved out of committee must have been voted on, and changed chambers. Meaning a House bill must have moved to the Senate, or have a version in the Senate by this date. Anything not moved is considered passed over for this year and doesn’t continue
Mar 14, 2026 – End of the 2026 session. All bills must have been voted on by both Chambers and sent to the Governor for signature or veto

2026 Legislation – Definition of an “Assault Firearm, as related to bills in flight:

SB-727 (and HB-1524) (Public Carry Ban) Definition

The bill uses a broad set of characteristics to define what qualifies as an “assault firearm,” including:

Rifles/Pistols: Semi-automatic center-fire with a fixed magazine holding more than 20 rounds, or the ability to accept a detachable magazine plus a “cosmetic” feature (like a folding stock, pistol grip, or threaded barrel).
Shotguns: Semi-automatic with a magazine holding more than 7 rounds or equipped with features like a folding stock or pistol grip.
Modifications: Any firearm modified to be operable as an assault firearm.

2026 Firearm-related Bills

Compiling the list of firearm related bills that have been submitted for the 2026 General Assembly.

Still Moving (This is the last week for these bills to move. They have to be voted on by both chambers by 3/14.)

HB-110 – / SB-496 – $500 civil penalty and subjects vehicle to being impounded for a visible handgun being left in an unattended vehicle. HB110 states “firearm visible in a vehicle.” SB496 removes the “secure storage” stipulation in glove boxes, holsters, and center consoles.
HB-1015 – Possession, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, stun weapons or explosives by anyone convicted of a hate crime will be a misdemeanor.
HB-1524 – Public Carry Ban. Prevents open carry of AW’s in public areas, include public streets, roads and sidewalks; public parks; any place open to the public. CHP exemption. (This already existed in Northern VA and certain other large cities. This ban makes it state-wide.

On Governor’s Desk awaiting signature

HB-916 – Changes the wording of the training requirements for a CHP. Removes NRA and USCCA as the only certified instructors.
SB-749 / HB-217 – AWB. Defines “assault weapons” and make purchase, transfer, or sale of anything manufactured after 7/1/26 illegal. Also bans high-cap mags. Anything you own on 6/30 will be legal. Also establishes as a Class 1 misdemeanor anyone under the age of 21 in possession of an “assault” weapon, regardless of acquisition date.
HB-1071 – Requires public and secondary schools, and public institutions of higher education provide training on red flag laws to staff. Increases SRO coverage as well.
HB-969 – Creation of Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Center – establishes the “Office of Safer Communities.” This bill also now outlaws bumpstocks, and binary triggers.
HB-871 – Storage of firearms where a minor or prohibited person is present; penalty. Requires that all firearms in a home where either a minor or prohibited person resides, must be unloaded and stored in a locked container. They may only be stored loaded if stored in a locked safe.
HB-40 / SB-323 – Makes unfinished firearm frames and receivers and un-serialized commercially made firearms unlawful to possess.
HB-19 – Battery in a “dating relationship” is a misdemeanor, and removes right to purchase, possess or transport a firearm for 3 years.
SB-643 (SB-797) – Possession under 21 illegal. Permit to purchase. Requires a permit to purchase a firearm. 5 year license, specific class must be taken. Under 21 provision will take effect on 7/1/26, permit to purchase will take effect 7/1/27, if signed.
SB-727 – Ban public carry of firearms
SB-115 – Requires the Superintendent of the VASP along with the office of the Attorney General to review reciprocity with all other states to determine if they meet VA’s guidelines.
SB-109 – Requires that schools to notify parents that they must have their firearms secured from their children.
SB-27; HB-21 – Liability of firearm community member (manufacturer) regarding sale/straw-purchase/etc of firearms, accountability.
HB-21 / SB-27 – Liability of firearm community member (manufacturer) regarding sale/straw-purchase/etc of firearms. Accountability
SB-38; HB-93 – Transfer from a prohibited person to a non-prohibited person.
SB-173 / HB-229 – Can not carry a weapon (firearm or knife longer than 3.5″) into a mental health services or developmental services facility. (This includes hospitals ERs or Urgent Care facilities.)
SB-272 / HB-626 – Changes the exemption on the prohibition of carrying any firearm within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, to requiring that it only be available if it’s part of a training or program happening in the building. Specifically Higher Education.
HB-93 / SB-38 – Transfer from a prohibited person to a non-prohibited person.
HB-101 – Eliminates requirement that a CHP be requested in writing (welcome to 2000, means it can be submitted digitally). Should also be noted that this may be the precursor to creating a state wide CHP registry.
HB-201 – Similar to SB-109; but adds prescription drugs to the message
SB-160 – Provides that the prohibition on carrying a firearm in certain restricted locations does not apply to any woman who is a current victim of family abuse and has an active protective order against a family or household member. (It’s interesting that this bill specifically states “woman” not “person.”)
HB-702 – Requires VASP to establish the Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program to allow for individuals to voluntarily give back firearms that MAY be destroyed by the department.
HB-901 – Expands red-flag laws by allowing additional categories of people to petition for someone to be red-flagged.
HB-909 – Expands the 40 foot rule at polling locations to 100′

Dead

SB-13 / HB-241 / HB-1198 – Remove front license plate requirement (not firearm related, but fun!)
SB-78 – Raises mandatory minimum sentence for a *repeat* offender of a violent crime
SB-79 / HB-696 – Removes Rest Areas from state agency gun ban
SB-208 / HB-208 – Creates a procedure for issuing an anti-harassment order. This AH order is not a restraining order, and therefore does not impact the capability to acquire a CHP
HB-7 – Restrict LEO from wearing facial coverings while engaged in the performance of official duties.
HB-24 – Limits CHP reciprocity with many states. Opens the door for VA residents to lose carry capability in other states as officials see fit.
HB-106 / HB-692– Lowers maximum CHP fee
HB-207 – $500 STATE tax for suppressors
HB-540 – Provides that the prohibition on carrying a firearm in certain restricted locations does not apply to any woman who is a current victim of family abuse and has an active protective order against a family or household member. (It’s interesting that this bill specifically states “woman” not “person.”)
HB-623 – Allows for a Commonwealth Atty to petition the court for the return of a weapon to the proper owner if it was used in the commission of a criminal offense, and surrendered to the Commonwealth
HB-691 – Control of firearms by localities. (This repeals language that allows for localities to institute more restrictive firearm laws than at the state level.)
HB-694 – Removes need for CHP. (This allows for any person eligible to obtain a CHP to be able to carry without a CHP. Not Constitutional Carry, but close.)
HB-696 / SB-79 – Removes Rest Areas from state agency gun ban
HB-700 – Requires 5 day waiting period for purchases AND rentals of firearms
HB-907 – Requires firearm dealers with an FFL to meet building and storage security requirements to be agreed upon in the bill. Currently listed as 24×7 video cameras recording, and bars across windows to rooms that will contain firearms.
HB-919 – Dealers must pay 11% firearm and ammunition tax
HB-926 – Permits localities to impose an ordinance requiring outdoor shooting be conducted on properties of at least 5 acres, and applied with reasonable care to ensure the projectiles will not leave the property. Any berm must be at least 10 feet from the property line. Additionally, if a projectile leaves your property, you failed to exercise the “reasonable care” and open property owner to civil and criminal liability.
HB-1094 – Individuals must pay 11% firearm and ammunition tax
HB-1359 – Firearm Purchaser License – would require a potential firearm purchaser to have taken a class by a DCJS certified instructor, and pass a full background + fingerprint in order to be able to purchase a firearm

2026 HB 217 and SB 749 (Assault Weapon Ban) Definition

1. Semi-Automatic Centerfire Rifles

A rifle is classified as an “assault firearm” if it is semi-automatic, uses centerfire ammunition, has a detachable magazine (or the capacity to accept one), and has at least one of the following:

A folding, telescoping, or collapsible stock.
A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
A second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand.
A bayonet mount.
A flash suppressor, muzzle brake, muzzle compensator, or a threaded barrel capable of accepting such a device.
A grenade launcher.

2. Semi-Automatic Centerfire Pistols

A pistol is classified as an “assault firearm” if it is semi-automatic, uses centerfire ammunition, has a detachable magazine (or the capacity to accept one), and has at least one of the following:

A folding, telescoping, or collapsible stock (often referred to as a “brace” in current legal debates).
A second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand.
A threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.
A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned.

3. Semi-Automatic Shotguns

A shotgun is classified as an “assault firearm” if it has any of the following:

A folding, telescoping, or collapsible stock.
A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
The capacity to accept a detachable magazine.
A fixed magazine capacity in excess of 7 rounds.

4. Large-Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices

The bills also define and ban the transfer of “large-capacity” magazines. There was a notable difference here between the House and Senate versions:

HB 217 / SB 749: Generally defines these as magazines holding more than 10 rounds

2025 Bills Vetoed by Gov Youngkin

SB848 – would have barred people under the age of 21 from purchasing certain popular semiautomatic rifles and shotguns.
SB880 – would have expanded “no gun” zones by outlawing the carry of popular rifles and shotguns in most public places including streets, roads, allies, sidewalks, public rights-of-way, or in any public park or any other place that is open to the public.
SB886 – would have banned “trigger activators,” a proposal written so vaguely that it could bar many popular upgraded trigger packs.
SB891 / HB1607 – would have installed an arbitrary five-day waiting period before a law-abiding citizen could take possession of a legally purchased firearm – even if they already owned other firearms.
SB1134 – mandatory gun lock law that would have required guns and ammo to be stored in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet.
SB1181 – would have banned law-abiding adults under the age of 21 from owning many popular semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols while also installing a magazine capacity limit.
SB1450 / HB1608 – would have instituted murky new laws and red tape on the already heavily regulated firearms industry.
HB1736 – would have established a taxpayer-funded state office to promote gun control.

2024 Laws Added

HB22/SB210: Auto-sears now illegal at the state level. Otherwise known as “Glock switches” these are drop in pieces of hardware to make a semi-auto, have full-auto capabilities. This was already illegal at the Federal level. These are NFA controlled items now.
SB44: Parental (or guardian) responsibility for the actions of a minor with access to a firearm. For example, if a child commits a felony with a firearm that they should not have access to, the guardian or parent will be charged with the crime.
SB363: Intentionally removing the serial number from any firearm, knowingly, is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
HB2015: Roadkill “ownership”. During hunting season, if your vehicle strikes the animal, it’s yours.

OTHER STATES (Non-Resident Permits)

Florida
https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Concealed-Weapon-License

Maine (to get Delaware)
https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/licenses-permits/concealed-carry-maine

Pennsylvania (Adams County) – VA currently has reciprocity with PA (5/25).
https://adamspa.permitium.com/entry

VA Voter Registration Information

View Your Info: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/view-your-info/

View your polling location: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/polling-place-lookup/

VIRGINIA

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