Bill > SB78

This bill amends Virginia state law to increase the mandatory minimum sentence for using or displaying a firearm during the commission of certain serious felonies. Specifically, the legislation changes the mandatory minimum sentence for a second or subsequent offense from five years to 10 years. The law applies to situations where a person uses or threatens with a firearm while committing or attempting to commit 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 a second conviction will now carry a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. The bill emphasizes that this firearms-related offense is a separate felony from the primary crime committed, and the sentence for using a firearm will be served consecutively with any other sentence. The fiscal note indicates that this change could result in increased periods of imprisonment, with an estimated additional cost of $24,976 for state correctional facilities.

Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB78