Bill > SB938

This bill amends Virginia state law to increase the mandatory minimum sentence for individuals who use or display a firearm while committing certain serious felonies. Specifically, the legislation modifies the existing law by changing the mandatory minimum sentence for a second or subsequent firearm-related offense from five years to 10 years. The law applies to situations where a person uses or threatens with a firearm during the commission of serious crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, carjacking, burglary, and other violent offenses. For a first conviction, the mandatory minimum sentence remains three years, but for repeat offenders, the sentence is now significantly longer. The bill emphasizes that this firearm-related offense is a separate felony from the primary crime committed and that the sentence for the firearm offense must be served consecutively with the sentence for the underlying felony. The fiscal note indicates that this change will likely result in increased periods of imprisonment, with an estimated additional cost of $24,997 for state correctional facilities.

Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB938