Bill > SB727

This bill expands the prohibition on carrying certain firearms in public areas, making it unlawful for any person to carry an "assault firearm" as defined in another section of law (§ 18.2-308.2:2) on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place open to the public, regardless of whether the firearm is loaded or where it is located within the Commonwealth. Previously, the law only restricted loaded semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols with high-capacity magazines or folding stocks, or shotguns with large magazines, and only in specific localities. The bill maintains exceptions for law-enforcement officers, military personnel in the performance of their official duties, members of a cadet corps in sanctioned training or ceremonial events, and individuals engaged in lawful hunting or shooting activities at established ranges or contests, while removing exemptions for licensed security guards and those with concealed handgun permits. A violation of this prohibition is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is a serious criminal offense punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine.