Bill > SB496

This bill, titled "Handguns; secure storage in an unattended locked vehicle, penalty," aims to enhance firearm safety by requiring handguns to be stored securely in unattended vehicles. It removes an existing exception that allowed individuals to carry a concealed handgun in their personal vehicle if it was secured in a container or compartment. The bill defines "handgun" as any handgun or revolver with a barrel length less than 16 inches, and "vehicle" broadly to include motor vehicles and boats, excluding certain personal mobility devices. Crucially, it establishes a Class 4 misdemeanor, a minor criminal offense, for anyone who leaves a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless it is placed out of plain view and secured within a locked, hard-sided container that is either affixed to the vehicle's interior or is a locked glove compartment or center console. However, exceptions are provided for individuals lawfully carrying a firearm on their person, antique firearms, law enforcement officers, and those who report a firearm as stolen or lost. Additionally, individuals with disabilities are permitted to store a handgun in a locked soft-sided container in an unattended, locked vehicle.

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https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB496