Virginia Alert: General Assembly Sends Onerous Industry Bills to the Governor’s Desk

On Saturday, March 9, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die from its 2024 legislative session. With control of both the Senate and the House of Delegates, Democrats passed a slew of anti-gun and anti-industry bills that, if signed, will negatively affect manufacturers and dealers. Governor Glenn Youngkin is the only thing standing in the way of these bad policies from becoming law. Please contact Governor Youngkin’s office and ask that he veto all bills that threaten our industry in Virginia.

These bills include:

SB 2 & HB 2 bans the sale of many semiautomatic firearms classified as “assault firearms.” The legislation also bans magazines having a capacity of more than 10 rounds.

SB 100 & HB 173 bans the manufacturer, import, sale, transfer or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers.

SB 273 & HB 1195 creates an arbitrary waiting period of five days for the purchase and transfer of firearms.

SB 327 removes the right of young adults (18 to 20 years of age) to purchase certain semiautomatic rifles and shotguns.

SB 491 & HB 318 creates new civil liabilities for firearm industry members, specifically those engaged in the sale, manufacturing, distribution, importation or marketing of firearm-related products. These bills also create a civil cause of action for the Attorney General or local county or city attorney to enforce the provisions of the legislation.

HB 351 prohibits the transfer of a firearm from a dealer unless the transferee purchases a locking device for the firearm if they reside in the same household as a child or complete a certification statement that they do not reside in the same household as a child.

HB 585 implements statewide zoning restrictions that bans home-based licensed dealers from operating within 1.5 miles of an elementary or middle school. This bill will put many licensed dealers out of business.

HB 1174 expands the definition of “assault firearms” while also banning the sale of many semiautomatic firearms to those under 21 years of age.

Take Action:

Please contact Governor Youngkin’s office and ask him to support the firearm industry by vetoing these anti-gun bills. The governor has up to 30 days to veto these bills, so please contact his office as soon as possible.