Bill > HB2719

This bill amends Virginia's existing law regarding firearm ownership restrictions for individuals with certain mental health histories. Specifically, the bill expands the current prohibition on firearm purchase, possession, and transportation to include individuals who have been involuntarily ordered to outpatient mental health treatment and are prohibited from purchasing a firearm. The law already prevents people acquitted of a crime by reason of insanity from owning firearms, and this bill adds an additional category of individuals under that restriction. The bill maintains the existing process by which a person can petition a general district court to restore their firearm rights, which involves a hearing where the court evaluates whether the individual is likely to pose a danger to public safety. If the court determines the person does not present a risk, they can be granted relief from the firearm ownership prohibition, and the court must forward this decision to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The bill uses specific legal terminology such as "general district court" and "attorney for the Commonwealth" and defines "treatment record" as including psychiatric health records related to the original commitment or adjudication.

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https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2719