(HB217) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION I approve the general purpose of this bill, but I am returning it without my signature with the request that the attached Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (26110146D) be accepted.
HB217
Ban on Assault Firearms and Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices
In one sentence
This law makes it illegal to buy, sell, manufacture, import, or transfer assault firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices in Virginia.
What it does
- Makes it a crime for anyone to import, sell, manufacture, purchase, or transfer an assault firearm.
- Defines what an 'assault firearm' is, excluding certain antique guns and manually operated ones.
- Prohibits the sale of large capacity ammunition feeding devices.
- Sets penalties for breaking these rules as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Who it affects
- People who want to buy, sell, make, import, or transfer assault firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices.
- Local governments involved in gun surrender programs for assault weapons.
Limits and unknowns
- The effective date of the ban on assault firearms has not been specified.
- Some people, like military members or federal firearms licensees, can still buy or possess assault firearms under certain conditions.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Assault firearm
- A specific type of weapon that the law bans from being imported, sold, manufactured, purchased, or transferred.
- Large capacity ammunition feeding device
- A part for a gun that holds more than one magazine's worth of bullets and is banned by this law.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Purchase, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalties. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm, as that term is defined in the bill with some exceptions, and prohibits a person who has been convicted of such violation from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm for a period of three years from the date of conviction. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, or is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action. The bill also prohibits the sale of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, transfers, or purchases a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill is identical to SB 749.
Official activity
Bill history
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 1106 (effective 7/1/2026)Governor
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1106)Governor
- Communicated to GovernorHouse
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026Governor
- Passed by for the dayHouse
- Passed by for the dayHouse
- Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:33 pm)House
- Governor's recommendation received by HouseGovernor
- Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/3/2026 1:26 pm)House
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)House
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026Governor
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026Governor
- Signed by SpeakerHouse
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026Governor
- Signed by PresidentSenate
- EnrolledHouse
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB217ER)House
Changes
Amendments
2 stored
2026 SESSION HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 26110146D HOUSE BILL NO.