Virginia · 2026 Regular Session

HB916 Concealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence, effective clause.

Direction

Firearms carryAI label

No change to gun access model confidence 80%

Removes specific references to National Rifle Association and United States Concealed Carry Association from the list of acceptable ways to demonstrate competence for a concealed handgun permit, while retaining and broadening other training options such as courses by certified instructors or those a

Completing [deleted: any National Rifle Association] a handgun shooting class or [deleted: United States Concealed Carry Association firearms safety or training] course that teaches (i) efficient, effective, and responsible use of a concealed handgun for self-defense outside the home; (ii) state laws pertaining to handguns; and (iii) proper handgun storage techniques;

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text

Filed (completed)
Committee (completed)
Passed one chamber (completed)
Passed both (completed)
Governor (completed)
Law

Stage: Law · step 6 of 6

Last action: 2026-04-08: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0438)
Filed: 2026-01-13
Sponsor: Alfonso Lopez D + 3 cosponsors (3 D)

Read official text (Chaptered)Legislature page LegiScan

Why the model tagged it this way: The bill amends concealed handgun permit statutes by striking specific NRA and USCCA references from acceptable training options in two sections while expanding the wording of remaining options and adding a delayed-effective-date clause; these are technical wording changes with no net expansion or restriction of the ability to obtain a carry permit.

Related bills

HB1035 Public schools; school security and discipline, employment of school security officers, training.Expands gun access No change to gun access Committee
HB229 Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services.Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Law
HB101 Concealed handguns; alternate methods of submission of applications for permits.Expands gun access Law
HB1524 Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty.Restricts gun access No change to gun access Law

Hearings and calendar

2026-02-05 16:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety: Firearms Hearing House North Subcommittee Room - 200
2026-02-06 08:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety Hearing House Committee Room A - 008
2026-02-23 08:00 · Hearing · Senate Courts of Justice Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-03-02 08:00 · Hearing · Senate Courts of Justice Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-03-04 09:30 · Hearing · Senate Finance and Appropriations Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building

Votes

Date	Chamber	Motion	Yea-Nay
2026-02-05	H	Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 3-N)	7-3	Passed
2026-02-06	H	Reported from Public Safety (19-Y 3-N)	19-3	Passed
2026-02-12	H	Read third time and passed House (81-Y 16-N 0-A)	81-16	Passed
2026-03-02	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N)	9-6	Passed
2026-03-04	S	Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)	10-5	Passed
2026-03-05	S	Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)	39-0	Passed
2026-03-10	S	Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)	21-19	Passed
2026-03-11	H	Senate substitute agreed to by House (72-Y 27-N 0-A)	72-27	Passed

Text versions

Introduced 2026-01-13
Comm Sub 2026-03-06
Enrolled 2026-03-30
Chaptered 2026-04-08

History (38 actions)

Date	Chamber	Action
2026-04-08		Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0438)
2026-04-08		Approved by Governor - Chapter 438 (effective - see bill)
2026-04-01	H	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB916)
2026-03-31		Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-31	H	Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
2026-03-31	H	Signed by Speaker
2026-03-30	S	Signed by President
2026-03-30	H	Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB916ER)
2026-03-30	H	Enrolled
2026-03-11	H	Senate substitute agreed to by House (72-Y 27-N 0-A)
2026-03-10	H	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB916)
2026-03-10	S	Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
2026-03-10	S	Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
2026-03-10	S	Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
2026-03-10	S	Committee amendments rejected (Voice Vote)
2026-03-10	S	Read third time
2026-03-09	S	Passed by for the day
2026-03-06	S	Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-06	S	Committee substitute printed 26109383D-S1
2026-03-05	S	Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-05	S	Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-05	S	Rules suspended
2026-03-04	S	Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)
2026-03-03	S	Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
2026-03-03	S	Motion to rerefer to Finance and Appropriations agreed to
2026-03-02	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N)
2026-03-02	S	Senate committee offered
2026-02-13	S	Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
2026-02-13	S	Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
2026-02-12	H	Read third time and passed House (81-Y 16-N 0-A)
2026-02-11	H	Read second time and engrossed
2026-02-10	H	Read first time
2026-02-06	H	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB916)
2026-02-06	H	Reported from Public Safety (19-Y 3-N)
2026-02-05	H	Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 3-N)
2026-02-03	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 26102206D