Several firearm-related bills approved by the Virginia General Assembly this session are now awaiting action from first-term Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
The proposals address issues including public carrying of certain firearms, industry liability standards, and restrictions on unserialized firearms.
Legislative records show the measures have passed both chambers of the legislature, been signed by House and Senate leadership, and formally enrolled before being sent to the governor for review.
One of the proposals, Senate Bill 727, would prohibit carrying certain loaded firearms classified in the bill as “assault firearms” in public spaces such as streets, sidewalks, alleys, and other public rights-of-way. Violations would be treated as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Supporters say the measure is intended to limit the presence of certain firearms in crowded public areas.
Another proposal, Senate Bill 27 and its companion House Bill 21, would establish standards of responsible conduct for firearm industry members, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
Under the legislation, firearm industry members would be required to create reasonable controls intended to prevent unlawful firearm sales, straw purchasing, and trafficking.
The bills would also allow civil actions by the state attorney general or local governments against companies that fail to follow those standards.
Josh Horwitz, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, said the legislation reflects what supporters view as a public safety approach to firearm policy.
“Virginia’s General Assembly has taken meaningful steps to protect public safety,” Horwitz said. “These bills represent a serious, evidence-based public health approach to reducing gun violence in Virginia.”
Gun-rights advocates, however, say the measures could create confusion for lawful gun owners attempting to follow the rules.
“My concern is you’re going to get good people caught up in these laws and end up criminalizing them,” said Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League.
Van Cleave said restrictions tied to firearm features or where firearms may be carried could leave some gun owners uncertain whether they are complying with the law.
“Somebody that meant no harm and has a perfect record suddenly gets caught up because they have the wrong features on the gun or they’re carrying it in the wrong place,” he said.
Another proposal awaiting the governor’s decision is House Bill 40, which would restrict the manufacture, import, sale, or possession of certain unserialized firearms and unfinished frames or receivers used to assemble them.
The bill also targets plastic firearms that may not be detectable by common security screening devices.
Gun-rights organizations, including the National Rifle Association, have criticized several firearm proposals moving through the legislature this year, arguing they place additional restrictions on lawful gun ownership.
John Commerford, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, suggested the governor’s decision could carry political implications.
“It is no secret that Abigail Spanberger’s aspirations for higher office rival Gavin Newsom,” Commerford said in a statement. “As a bevy of bad bills that undermine the rights of law-abiding Virginians hit her desk, Spanberger will need to make a political calculus.”
Supporters of the measures say they are designed to address illegal firearm trafficking, untraceable firearms, and gaps in current firearm regulations.
Spanberger now has the option to sign the bills into law, veto them, or return them to the General Assembly with proposed amendments.
