Virginia · 2026 Regular Session

SB115 Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states.

Direction

Firearms carryAI label

Expands gun access model confidence 80%

Changes Virginia's concealed carry reciprocity from requiring agreements and verification to recognizing out-of-state permits from states with substantially similar laws (with AG and State Police determining and publishing the list), while adding a registry and allowing agreements, so more ability (

A valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state shall authorize the holder of such permit or license who is at least 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth, provided that ... the requirements and qualifications of that state's law are substantially similar to the requirements provided in this article to prevent possession of a permit or license by persons who would be denied a permit in the Commonwealth under this article.

⚠ Quote could not be matched to the bill text: treat this label with caution

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

Stage: Law · step 6 of 6

Last action: 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0879)
Filed: 2026-01-05
Sponsor: Stella Pekarsky D + 1 cosponsor (1 D)

Read official text (Chaptered)Legislature page LegiScan

Why the model tagged it this way: The bill amends Virginia's concealed handgun permit reciprocity statute by replacing prior conditions (instant verification if available, photo ID display on demand, no prior Virginia revocation) with a 'substantially similar' qualification test determined by the AG and published by State Police; it deletes the ID/display requirement and prior-revocation bar, maintains a registry for law enforcement, allows agreements, exempts certain military, and mandates review/revocation of existing reciprocity that fails the new test. These provisions all address concealed carry under the firearms topic;

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

2026-01-26 08:00 · Hearing · Senate Courts of Justice Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-02-04 09:00 · Hearing · Senate Finance and Appropriations Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-02-26 16:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety: Firearms Hearing House North Subcommittee Room - 200
2026-02-27 08:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety Hearing House Committee Room A - 008
2026-03-04 00:00 · Hearing · House Appropriations Hearing House Appropriations Committee Room - 1200

Votes

Date	Chamber	Motion	Yea-Nay
2026-01-26	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)	9-5	Passed
2026-02-04	S	Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendments (10-Y 5-N)	10-5	Passed
2026-02-05	S	Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)	40-0	Passed
2026-02-10	S	Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)	21-19	Passed
2026-02-26	H	Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 3-N)	7-3	Passed
2026-02-27	H	Reported from Public Safety with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)	15-7	Passed
2026-03-04	H	Reported from Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 7-N)	15-7	Passed
2026-03-09	H	Passed House with substitute (61-Y 34-N 0-A)	61-34	Passed
2026-03-10	S	House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-Y 0-A)	0-40	Failed
2026-03-12	S	Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)	40-0	Passed
2026-03-13	H	Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 33-N 0-A)	62-33	Passed
2026-03-13	S	Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)	21-18	Passed

Text versions

Introduced 2026-01-05
Comm Sub 2026-01-26
Comm Sub 2026-01-28
Engrossed 2026-02-09
Comm Sub 2026-02-27
Comm Sub 2026-02-27
Comm Sub 2026-03-04
Comm Sub 2026-03-04
Comm Sub 2026-03-13
Enrolled 2026-03-30
Chaptered 2026-04-13

History (59 actions)

Date	Chamber	Action
2026-04-13		Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0879)
2026-04-13		Approved by Governor-Chapter 879 (Effective 7/1/2027)
2026-04-01	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB115)
2026-03-31		Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-31	S	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	S	Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB115ER)
2026-03-30	S	Enrolled
2026-03-23	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB115)
2026-03-13	S	Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
2026-03-13	H	Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 33-N 0-A)
2026-03-13		Conference Report released
2026-03-12	H	House Conferees: Helmer, Simon, Wilt
2026-03-12	H	Conferees appointed by House
2026-03-12	S	Senate Conferees: Pekarsky, Surovell, Sturtevant
2026-03-12	S	Conferees appointed by Senate
2026-03-12	S	Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-11	H	House requested conference committee
2026-03-11	H	House insisted on substitute
2026-03-10	S	House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)
2026-03-09	H	Passed House with substitute (61-Y 34-N 0-A)
2026-03-09	H	Engrossed by House - committee substitute
2026-03-09	H	committee substitute agreed to
2026-03-09	H	committee substitute rejected
2026-03-09	H	Read third time
2026-03-06	H	Read second time
2026-03-04	H	Committee substitute printed 26108978D-H2
2026-03-04	H	Reported from Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 7-N)
2026-03-04	H	House committee offered
2026-03-01	H	Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety
2026-02-27	H	Committee substitute printed 26108804D-H1
2026-02-27	H	Reported from Public Safety with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)
2026-02-27	H	House committee offered
2026-02-26	H	House subcommittee offered
2026-02-26	H	Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 3-N)
2026-02-17	H	Assigned HMPPS sub: Firearms
2026-02-16	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB115)
2026-02-13	H	Referred to Committee on Public Safety
2026-02-13	H	Read first time
2026-02-13	H	Placed on Calendar
2026-02-10	S	Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
2026-02-09	S	Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
2026-02-09	S	Finance and Appropriations Amendments agreed to
2026-02-09	S	Senator Pekarsky Amendment withdrawn
2026-02-09	S	Floor offered Senator Pekarsky Amendment
2026-02-09	S	Read second time
2026-02-06	S	Passed by for the day
2026-02-06	S	Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to
2026-02-06	S	Read second time
2026-02-05	S	Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
2026-02-05	S	Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-05	S	Rules suspended
2026-02-04	S	Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendments (10-Y 5-N)
2026-01-28	S	Committee substitute printed 26106296D-S1
2026-01-26	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)
2026-01-26	S	Senate committee offered
2026-01-05	S	Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
2026-01-05	S	Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100698D