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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session
HB623Forfeiture of certain weapons; petition for return by Commonwealth.
Direction
FirearmsotherAI label
↑Expands gun accessmodel confidence 80%
Makes it easier for lawful owners unaware of a crime to recover forfeited weapons used in offenses by allowing petitions from the Commonwealth's attorney or the owner with notice, and by removing the 'and' requirement between the two conditions for return.
However, upon petition to the court by (i) the attorney for the Commonwealth or (ii) any person with notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth, the court, upon good cause shown, shall return any such weapon to its lawful owner after conclusion of all relevant proceedings if such owner (a) did not know and had no reason to know of the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture and (b) is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the weapon.
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Filed (completed)
Committee
Passed one chamber
Passed both
Governor
Law
Status: Died (session ended)
Last action
2026-01-23: Continued to next session in Public Safety (Voice Vote)
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill amends a forfeiture statute for weapons (including firearms) used in crimes to expand the ability of innocent owners to petition for and obtain return of their property, by broadening who may petition and restructuring the conditions for return (removing the conjunctive 'and' between prior clauses, now shown as deletions). This reduces restrictions on lawful firearm ownership in the forfeiture context. No other listed topics are substantively addressed.
Related bills
HB240Admission to bail; fixing terms of bail, mental health considerations.↓Restricts gun access Committee
HB623Forfeiture of certain weapons; petition for return by Commonwealth.↑Expands gun access Committee
HB778Pop-up events; local enhanced enforcement actions.↓Restricts gun access Committee
HB919Retail Sales and Use Tax; impose firearm and ammunition tax.↓Restricts gun access↓Restricts gun access Committee
Hearings and calendar
2026-01-22 16:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety: Firearms Hearing House North Subcommittee Room - 200
2026-01-23 08:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety Hearing House Committee Room A - 008