DATE CREATED: January 5, 2024
LAST ACTION DATE: 04/17/2024
LAST AMENDMENT DATE: 03/25/2024
PROGRESS: Vetoed
BILL ID: HB351
CATEGORIES: Justice, Budget and Finance
REGION: VA
Firearm locking device required for purchase of a firearm; warning against accessibility to children; penalty. Requires any person who purchases a firearm to either (i) obtain or purchase from a licensed dealer a locking device for such firearm if a minor is present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month or (ii) complete a certification statement on a form provided by the Department of State Police certifying that a minor is not present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month, with exceptions enumerated in the bill. Accordingly, the bill provides that it is unlawful for any licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearm to any person, other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer, unless (a) the firearm is accompanied by a warning, in conspicuous and legible type in capital letters printed on a separate sheet of paper included within the packaging enclosing the firearm, that firearms should be locked and kept away from children and that there may be civil and criminal liability for failing to do so and (b) the transferee (1) obtains or purchases a locking device for such firearm if a minor is present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month or (2) completes the certification statement. A violation of either provision is a Class 3 misdemeanor. Firearm locking device required for purchase of a firearm; warning against accessibility to children; penalty. Requires any person who purchases a firearm to either (i) obtain or purchase from a licensed dealer a locking device for such firearm if a minor is present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month or (ii) complete a certification statement on a form provided by the Department of State Police certifying that a minor is not present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month, with exceptions enumerated in the bill. Accordingly, the bill provides that it is unlawful for any licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearm to any person, other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer, unless (a) the firearm is accompanied by a warning, in conspicuous and legible type in capital letters printed on a separate sheet of paper included within the packaging enclosing the firearm, that firearms should be locked and kept away from children and that there may be civil and criminal liability for failing to do so and (b) the transferee (1) obtains or purchases a locking device for such firearm if a minor is present in such person's residence for 14 days or more in a calendar month or (2) completes the certification statement. A violation of either provision is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
SESSION: 2024 Regular Session
VERSIONS: 3
VOTES: 13
LAST ACTION: House sustained Governor's veto
ACTIONS: 57
SPONSORS: Dan Helmer (D)* , Nadarius Clark (D)* , Bonita Anthony (D) , Katrina Callsen (D) , Betsy Carr (D) , Laura Jane Cohen (D) , J.R. Henson (D) , Phil Hernandez (D) , Karen Keys-Gamarra (D) , Destiny LeVere Bolling (D) , Alfonso Lopez (D) , Marty Martinez (D) , Cia Price (D) , Sam Rasoul (D) , Holly Seibold (D) , Irene Shin (D) , Jeion Ward (D) , Rod Willett (D) , Michelle Maldonado (D) , Kelly Fowler (D) , Patrick Hope (D) , Shelly Simonds (D) , Josh Cole (D) , Jackie Glass (D)
KEYWORDS: Responsible Firearm Storage, Locking Device Required, Locking Mechanism Incorporated, Locking Device, Calendar Month, Device Designed, Exceptions Enumerated, Form Provided, Licensed Dealer, Licensed Importer
POWERED BY
