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Bill > HB270


VA HB270

VA HB270
Commonwealth Comprehensive Gun Safety Program; established, etc.


summary

Introduced
01/05/2024
In Committee
02/02/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Sale, transfer, etc., of certain firearms and firearm magazines; Virginia Firearm Buy-Back Program and Fund established; penalties. Provides that, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any person may import, sell, transfer, manufacture, or purchase an authorized rifle, defined in the bill, in accordance with the relevant provisions of law. The bill makes it a Class 6 felony for any person to import, sell, transfer, manufacture, or purchase a restricted rifle or large-capacity firearm magazine, both defined in the bill, with certain exceptions. The bill also provides that a person is civilly liable for injuries to person or property or wrongful death of another caused by a third party if it can be shown that the civil defendant sold or transferred a restricted rifle or large-capacity firearm magazine in violation of the provisions of the bill to the person who committed the crime resulting in such injury or death. The bill also provides that no person shall sell a firearm unless at least three days have elapsed from the time the prospective purchaser completes the written consent form to have a licensed dealer obtain criminal history record information, with exceptions enumerated in the bill. The bill also directs the Department of State Police to develop policies for the establishment of uniform standards for the creation of the Virginia Firearm Buy-Back Program. The bill clarifies that participation in the Program by a local law-enforcement agency is voluntary and also directs the Department to establish the Virginia Firearm Buy-Back Fund, a nonreverting fund to be used solely for the purposes of development and implementation of the Program.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Commonwealth Comprehensive Gun Safety Program, focusing on regulating the sale, transfer, and possession of certain firearms and firearm magazines in Virginia. The legislation creates the Virginia Assault Firearm Buy-Back Program and Fund, which allows local law enforcement agencies to voluntarily participate in a program that enables residents to surrender assault firearms for monetary compensation. The bill makes it a Class 6 felony to import, sell, transfer, manufacture, or purchase restricted rifles or large-capacity firearm magazines, with some exceptions. It introduces new requirements for firearm sales, including a mandatory five-day waiting period after a prospective purchaser completes a written consent form for a criminal background check. The bill also establishes civil liability for individuals who sell or transfer restricted firearms to someone who subsequently uses the weapon to cause injury or death. Additionally, the Department of State Police is tasked with developing uniform standards for the Buy-Back Program, including guidelines for determining compensation for surrendered assault firearms. The program aims to provide a mechanism for removing assault firearms from circulation while offering financial incentives to gun owners willing to surrender such weapons.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Left in Appropriations (on 11/18/2024)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?251+sum+HB270
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB270/text/HB270H1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB270/text/HB270
Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Impact statement from VCSC (HB270H1) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/legacy/1000216.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Impact statement from DPB (HB270) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/legacy/1000214.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Impact statement from VCSC (HB270) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/legacy/1000215.PDF
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