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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session
SB272Firearm or explosive material; exemptions, carrying in public institutions of higher education.
Direction
FirearmscarryAI label
↑Expands gun accessmodel confidence 90%
Expands exemptions allowing certain individuals to carry weapons in buildings owned or operated by public institutions of higher education if approved by the institution's law-enforcement unit or as part of authorized programs, so more ability to carry firearms in those locations.
any [deleted: property] individual within a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher education who possesses a weapon as part of such public institution of higher education's curriculum or activities as approved through the law-enforcement or public safety unit of the institution or as part of any organization authorized by such public institution of higher education to possess weapons, as approved through the law-enforcement or public safety unit of the institution, while conducting its programs or activities within such building;
✓ 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
2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0644)
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill amends an existing prohibition on carrying firearms in state-owned or leased buildings by expanding exemptions specifically for public institutions of higher education, allowing approved curricular, activity-based, or organizational possession of weapons in those buildings. This change removes a prior restriction (as shown by the deletion of 'property' and addition of the exemption clause), increasing the ability to carry firearms in those settings under institutional approval. No other listed topics are substantively addressed.
Related bills
HB1035Public schools; school security and discipline, employment of school security officers, training.↑Expands gun access=No change to gun access Committee
HB229Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services.↓Restricts gun access↓Restricts gun access Law
HB101Concealed handguns; alternate methods of submission of applications for permits.↑Expands gun access Law
HB1524Assault 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
2026-02-13 08:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety Hearing House Committee Room A - 008
Votes
Date
Chamber
Motion
Yea-Nay
2026-01-26
S
Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)
9-5
Passed
2026-02-04
S
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)