summary
Introduced
01/05/2026
01/05/2026
In Committee
02/13/2026
02/13/2026
Crossed Over
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states. Provides that the Superintendent of State Police shall determine whether other states' concealed handgun permit requirements are substantially similar to 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 exempts an active duty service member or such service member's spouse from the requirements of the bill. The foregoing provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.The bill also directs the Department of State Police (the Department) 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 those states' laws are substantially similar to the Commonwealth's concealed carry permit requirements and revoke any reciprocity agreement or recognition of any states that do not meet such requirements by December 1, 2026. The bill requires the Department to provide a written explanation for any determination that a state's laws are substantially similar to the requirements of the bill 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 taking effect on July 1, 2027. Under the new provisions, the Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, will be responsible for determining if other states' concealed handgun permit laws are substantially similar to Virginia's, specifically to ensure that individuals who would be denied a permit in Virginia are also denied one in those reciprocal states. This means that simply having a permit from another state will no longer automatically grant reciprocity in Virginia; the issuing state's qualifications must meet Virginia's standards. Furthermore, Virginia residents, with the exception of active-duty military members and their spouses, will be prohibited from using an out-of-state concealed handgun permit if they have not obtained a valid Virginia resident permit. The bill also mandates a review of existing reciprocity agreements by July 1, 2026, with a deadline of December 1, 2026, to revoke agreements with states that do not meet the new, stricter qualification requirements, and the Attorney General will provide written explanations for these determinations.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Assigned HMPPS sub: Firearms (on 02/17/2026)
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/SB115 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB115) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1156620.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB115/text/SB115ES1 |
| Senator Pekarsky Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB115/text/SB115AS2 |
| Finance and Appropriations Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB115/text/SB115AS1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB115/text/SB115S1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB115/text/SB115SC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB115/text/SB115 |
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