Virginia · 2026 Regular Session

SB496 Handguns in unattended motor vehicle; definitions, penalty.

Direction

Firearms storage minorsAI label

Restricts gun access model confidence 80%

Requires owners to store handguns in locked hard-sided containers out of plain view when leaving them in unattended vehicles in public places, so more restrictions on firearm storage.

No person shall knowingly leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle or trunk unless such handgun is placed out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container, including a locked container that is affixed to the vehicle's interior by steel cable, bolt, or welding.

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text

Firearms otherAI label

Restricts gun access model confidence 70%

Creates a new storage requirement and Class 4 misdemeanor penalty specifically for handguns left in unattended vehicles or boats in public or commercial parking areas, so more restrictions on firearms.

No person shall knowingly leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle or trunk unless such handgun is placed out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container, including a locked container that is affixed to the vehicle's interior by steel cable, bolt, or welding. A locked container affixed to the vehicle's interior includes a locked glove compartment or a locked center console. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

✓ 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 (CHAP0561)
Filed: 2026-01-13
Sponsor: Dave Marsden D + 1 cosponsor (1 D)

Read official text (Chaptered)Legislature page LegiScan

Why the model tagged it this way: The bill adds a new section to the Virginia Code that imposes a storage requirement for handguns in unattended vehicles (including boats) in public or commercial parking areas, mandating they be in a locked hard-sided container out of plain view, with a Class 4 misdemeanor penalty for violations. This directly addresses firearm storage rules and adds restrictions on firearm possession/transport. No provisions relate to transgender issues, abortion, or immigration enforcement.

Related bills

HB871 Firearms; storage in residence where minor or person prohibited from possessing is present, penalty.Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Law
SB348 Firearms; storage in residence where minor or person prohibited from possessing is present, penalty.Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Law
HB110 Handguns in unattended motor vehicle; definitions, penalty.Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Law
HB201 School boards; safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in the household.Restricts 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
2026-02-11 19:00 · Hearing · Senate Courts of Justice Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-02-27 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 with substitute (9-Y 5-N)	9-5	Passed
2026-01-27	S	Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)	39-0	Passed
2026-02-11	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N)	9-6	Passed
2026-02-16	S	Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)	20-19	Passed
2026-02-27	H	Reported from Public Safety with substitute (15-Y 7-N)	15-7	Passed
2026-03-04	H	Passed House with substitute (63-Y 36-N 0-A)	63-36	Passed
2026-03-06	S	House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)	0-40	Failed
2026-03-10	S	Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)	40-0	Passed
2026-03-14	S	Senate requested second conference committee (21-Y 18-N 0-A)	21-18	Passed
2026-03-14	H	Conference report agreed to by House (60-Y 36-N 0-A)	60-36	Passed
2026-03-14	S	Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)	21-18	Passed

Text versions

Introduced 2026-01-13
Comm Sub 2026-01-26
Comm Sub 2026-01-28
Engrossed 2026-02-13
Comm Sub 2026-03-02
Comm Sub 2026-03-14
Comm Sub 2026-03-14
Enrolled 2026-03-30
Chaptered 2026-04-13

History (76 actions)

Date	Chamber	Action
2026-04-13		Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0561)
2026-04-13		Approved by Governor-Chapter 561 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-07	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB496)
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 (SB496ER)
2026-03-30	S	Enrolled
2026-03-17	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB496)
2026-03-14	S	Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
2026-03-14	H	Conference report agreed to by House (60-Y 36-N 0-A)
2026-03-14	H	House Conferees: Laufer, Simon, Morefield
2026-03-14	H	Conferees appointed by House
2026-03-14	H	House acceded to request for second conference committee
2026-03-14		Second Conference Report released
2026-03-14	S	Senate Conferees: Marsden, Surovell, Obenshain
2026-03-14	S	Second conferees appointed by Senate
2026-03-14	S	Senate requested second conference committee (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
2026-03-14		Conference Report released
2026-03-14		Conference Report released
2026-03-13	H	House Conferees: Laufer, Simon, Morefield
2026-03-13	H	House Conferees: Laufer, Simon, Morefield
2026-03-13	H	Conferees appointed by House
2026-03-12	H	House Conferees: Laufer, Clark, Morefield
2026-03-12	H	Conferees appointed by House
2026-03-10	S	Senate Conferees: Marsden, Surovell, Obenshain
2026-03-10	S	Conferees appointed by Senate
2026-03-10	S	Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-09	H	House requested conference committee
2026-03-09	H	House insisted on substitute
2026-03-06	S	House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)
2026-03-04	H	Passed House with substitute (63-Y 36-N 0-A)
2026-03-04	H	Engrossed by House - committee substitute
2026-03-04	H	committee substitute agreed to
2026-03-04	H	Read third time
2026-03-04	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB496)
2026-03-03	H	Read second time
2026-03-02	H	Committee substitute printed 26108965D-H1
2026-02-27	H	Reported from Public Safety with substitute (15-Y 7-N)
2026-02-19	H	Referred to Committee on Public Safety
2026-02-19	H	Read first time
2026-02-19	H	Placed on Calendar
2026-02-16	S	Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)
2026-02-16	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB496)
2026-02-13	S	Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended (Voice Vote)
2026-02-13	S	Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
2026-02-13	S	Senator Marsden Amendments withdrawn
2026-02-13	S	Floor offered Senator Marsden Amendments
2026-02-13	S	Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to
2026-02-13	S	Read second time
2026-02-11	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N)
2026-02-11	S	Senate committee offered
2026-02-05	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB496)
2026-02-03	S	Recommitted to Courts of Justice
2026-02-03	S	Motion to recommit to Courts of Justice agreed to
2026-02-03	S	Read second time
2026-02-02	S	Passed by for the day
2026-02-02	S	Read second time
2026-01-30	S	Passed by for the day
2026-01-30	S	Read second time
2026-01-29	S	Passed by for the day
2026-01-29	S	Read second time
2026-01-28	S	Passed by for the day
2026-01-28	S	Committee substitute printed 26106227D-S1
2026-01-28	S	Read second time
2026-01-27	S	Passed by for the day
2026-01-27	S	Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-01-27	S	Rules suspended
2026-01-27	S	Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-01-27	S	Read first time
2026-01-26	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (9-Y 5-N)
2026-01-26	S	Senate committee offered
2026-01-20	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB496)
2026-01-13	S	Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
2026-01-13	S	Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104067D