The 2026 session of the General Assembly has begun and numerous bills affecting the firearms industry have been filed. Unlike years past, Democrats now have control over the Senate, House of Delegates, and the Governor’s Office. They have put forth an aggressive agenda that will undoubtedly hurt the firearm industry in Virginia.

It is imperative that all NSSF^® members and industry partners contact their state senators and delegates to let them know how these proposed laws will affect their businesses. There is grave concern that some of these bills will put many manufactures and retailers out of business or force them to relocate out of state.

Industry Specific Bills Include:

• HB 21 and SB 27 – Firearm industry standards and civil liability – These bills create new subjective controls over the industry in Virginia and establishes a broad civil cause of action for industry members to be sued. It is a direct affront to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).
• HB 207 – Tax on suppressors – This bill imposes a new $500 tax on firearm suppressors.
• HB 217 and SB 749 – Assault firearm and magazine ban – These bills ban the sale of many semiautomatic firearms classified as “assault firearms.” The legislation also bans magazines having a capacity of more than 10 rounds.
• HB 700 – Firearm purchase waiting periods – This bill creates a new five-day waiting period before firearms may be transferred from a dealer to the purchaser.
• HB 919, HB 1094 and SB 763 – Tax on firearms and ammunition – These bills impose a firearm and ammunition tax equal to 11 percent of the gross receipts from the sale and distribution of firearms or ammunition by a manufacturer.
• HB 907 – Security requirements for dealers – This bill imposes new state security requirements on retail stores. It also establishes a civil penalty for violations.
• HB 1359, SB 643 and SB 797 – Firearm purchase requirements – These bills create a new permit-to-purchase scheme for Virginia. The bill requires any person purchasing a firearm from a firearms dealer to present a valid firearm purchaser license issued by the Department of State Police.

This is not a comprehensive list of all the anti-Second Amendment legislation that has been introduced this session. A full list can be found here. (Search: “firearm”)

Take Action:
Please speak with your senator and delegate as soon as possible. Let them how these bills will affect your business. Session is only 60 days, and these bills are moving now.

You can use the VPAP “Who are my legislators?” link here.