summary
Introduced
12/22/2025
12/22/2025
In Committee
12/22/2025
12/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states. Provides that the Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall determine whether other states meet the statutory qualifications for Virginia to recognize the concealed handgun permit of a person from such other state. Under current law, any out-of-state permit is recognized in the Commonwealth, provided that (i) the issuing authority provides the means for instantaneous verification of the validity of all such permits or licenses issued within that state, accessible 24 hours a day; (ii) the permit or license holder carries a photo identification issued by a government agency of any state or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of State and displays the permit or license and such identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer; and (iii) the permit or license holder has not previously had a Virginia concealed handgun permit revoked. The bill prevents a Virginia resident, except for an active duty service member or such service member's spouse, who has not been issued a valid resident concealed handgun permit from using a concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth. The foregoing provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. The bill requires the Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to review any agreements for reciprocal recognition that are in place with any other states as of July 1, 2026, to determine whether the requirements and qualifications of those states' laws are adequate to prevent possession of a permit or license by persons who would be denied a permit in the Commonwealth and revoke any reciprocity agreement or recognition of any states that do not meet such requirements or qualifications by December 1, 2026. The bill requires the Attorney General to provide a written explanation for any determination that a state's laws are adequate to prevent possession of such permit or license by persons who would be denied such permit in the Commonwealth.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Virginia's laws regarding the recognition of concealed handgun permits from other states, with significant changes set to take effect on July 1, 2027. Under the current law, Virginia generally recognizes out-of-state concealed handgun permits if the issuing state allows for instant verification of permit validity, the permit holder carries photo identification, and has not had a Virginia permit revoked. However, this bill introduces a new requirement: Virginia residents, with exceptions for active-duty military personnel and their spouses, will no longer be able to use an out-of-state concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun in Virginia if they have not obtained a valid Virginia resident concealed handgun permit. The Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, will be responsible for determining if other states' laws meet Virginia's qualifications for recognizing their permits, ensuring that individuals who would be denied a permit in Virginia are also denied one in those reciprocal states. By December 1, 2026, the Attorney General must review existing reciprocity agreements and revoke recognition for any states that do not meet these updated standards, providing a written explanation for their decisions.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Left in Committee Public Safety (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
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/bill-details/20261/HB24 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB24) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1156606.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB24/text/HB24HC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB24/text/HB24 |
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