Virginia · 2026 Regular Session

HB691 Firearms; control by localities.

Direction

Firearms preemption sanctuaryAI label

Expands gun access model confidence 90%

Removes local authority to ban guns in public parks, streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks, rights-of-way, and adjacent places for permitted events, while retaining authority for government buildings and recreation/community centers, so more ability to carry firearms in those previously restricted areas

[deleted: ; (ii) in any public park owned or operated by the locality, or by any authority or local governmental entity created or controlled by the locality; (iii)] or (ii) in any recreation or community center facility

✓ 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: 2026-02-18: Left in Committee Public Safety
Filed: 2026-01-13
Committee: Public Safety
Sponsor: Eric Zehr R

Read official text (Introduced)Legislature page LegiScan

Why the model tagged it this way: The bill amends Virginia's firearms preemption statute (§ 15.2-915) to expand the scope of state preemption over local gun rules. It deletes local authority to prohibit firearms in public parks and in streets/rights-of-way adjacent to events (while retaining it for government buildings and recreation centers), adds a strict-express-authorization rule for any local regulation, and adds attorney fees for prevailing challengers to local ordinances or bad-faith actions. These changes reduce local restrictions on carrying/possessing firearms in additional public spaces and strengthen enforcement of

Related bills

HB778 Pop-up events; local enhanced enforcement actions.Restricts gun access Committee
HB1524 Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty.Restricts gun access No change to gun access Law
HB7 Law-enforcement officers; restrictions on wearing of facial coverings, exceptions, civil liability.No change to gun access No change to gun access Died (session ended)
HB540 Carrying firearms in restricted locations; exception.Expands gun access Expands gun access Died (session ended)

Hearings and calendar

2026-01-22 16:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety: Firearms Hearing House North Subcommittee Room - 200

Votes

Date	Chamber	Motion	Yea-Nay
2026-01-22	H	Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (7-Y 3-N)	7-3	Passed

Text versions

Introduced 2026-01-13

History (5 actions)

Date	Chamber	Action
2026-02-18	H	Left in Committee Public Safety
2026-01-22	H	Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (7-Y 3-N)
2026-01-20	H	Assigned HMPPS sub: Firearms
2026-01-13	H	Referred to Committee on Public Safety
2026-01-13	H	Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103555D