Restricts gun access model confidence 90%
Prohibits the importation, sale, manufacture, purchase, or transfer of assault firearms (with exceptions for pre-2026 owners and certain transfers), so fewer people can acquire them.
Any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Restricts gun access model confidence 85%
Expands the list of disqualifying convictions (now including violations of the new assault-firearm ban) that trigger background-check denials and post-conviction firearm prohibitions for three years, so more people are blocked from purchasing firearms.
has the applicant been convicted of a felony offense or a misdemeanor offense listed in § 18.2-308.1:8 or 18.2-308.1:9
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Restricts gun access model confidence 80%
Adds a new prohibition on purchasing, possessing, or transporting any firearm for three years after a conviction for violating the assault-firearm ban, with restoration of rights thereafter unless further disqualified.
Any person who knowingly and intentionally purchases, possesses, or transports any firearm following a misdemeanor conviction for a violation of § 18.2-287.4:1 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Stage: Law · step 6 of 6
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill enacts a broad ban on assault firearms and large-capacity feeding devices (via new § 18.2-287.4:1 and cross-references), adds related disqualifiers to concealed-carry permitting and background-check processes, and creates a temporary post-conviction firearm prohibition; all provisions increase restrictions on firearm acquisition, possession, and transfer. No provisions expand access, address transgender issues, abortion, or immigration enforcement.
| 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 substitute (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 |
| 2026-02-09 | S | Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) | 21-19 | Passed |
| 2026-02-27 | H | Reported from Public Safety with substitute (14-Y 7-N) | 14-7 | Passed |
| 2026-03-04 | H | Passed House with substitute (59-Y 35-N 0-A) | 59-35 | Passed |
| 2026-03-09 | S | House substitute agreed to by Senate | 21-19 | Passed |
| 2026-04-22 | S | Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A) | 21-18 | Passed |
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-14 | Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1107) | |
| 2026-05-14 | Approved by Governor-Chapter 1107 (effective 7/1/2026) | |
| 2026-04-22 | Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026 | |
| 2026-04-22 | S | Communicated to Governor |
| 2026-04-22 | S | Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A) |
| 2026-04-14 | S | Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:35 pm) |
| 2026-04-11 | Governor's recommendation received by Senate | |
| 2026-04-03 | S | Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/3/2026 1:29 pm) |
| 2026-03-14 | Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 | |
| 2026-03-14 | S | Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 |
| 2026-03-13 | S | Signed by President |
| 2026-03-13 | H | Signed by Speaker |
| 2026-03-13 | S | Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB749) |
| 2026-03-13 | S | Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB749ER) |
| 2026-03-13 | H | Enrolled |
| 2026-03-09 | S | House substitute agreed to by Senate |
| 2026-03-09 | S | Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/9/2026 10:46 am) |
| 2026-03-06 | S | Passed by for the day |
| 2026-03-05 | S | Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB749) |
| 2026-03-04 | H | Passed House with substitute (59-Y 35-N 0-A) |
| 2026-03-04 | H | Engrossed by House - floor substitute |
| 2026-03-04 | H | Delegate Helmer Floor substitute agreed to |
| 2026-03-04 | H | committee substitute rejected |
| 2026-03-04 | H | Read third time |
| 2026-03-04 | H | Floor offered Delegate Helmer Substitute |
| 2026-03-04 | H | Floor substitute printed 26109153D-H2 (Helmer) |
| 2026-03-03 | H | Read second time |
| 2026-02-27 | S | Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/27/2026 4:03 pm) |
| 2026-02-27 | H | Committee substitute printed 26108724D-H1 |
| 2026-02-27 | H | Reported from Public Safety with substitute (14-Y 7-N) |
| 2026-02-27 | H | House committee offered |
| 2026-02-12 | H | Referred to Committee on Public Safety |
| 2026-02-12 | H | Read first time |
| 2026-02-12 | H | Placed on Calendar |
| 2026-02-10 | S | Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB749) |
| 2026-02-09 | S | Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) |
| 2026-02-06 | S | Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) |
| 2026-02-06 | S | Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to |
| 2026-02-06 | S | Courts of Justice Substitute rejected |
| 2026-02-06 | S | Read second time |
| 2026-02-05 | S | Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/5/2026 4:34 pm) |
| 2026-02-05 | S | Committee substitute printed 26106501D-S2 |
| 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 substitute (10-Y 5-N) |
| 2026-01-27 | S | Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/27/2026 1:49 pm) |
| 2026-01-27 | S | Committee substitute printed 26106212D-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 |
| 2026-01-24 | S | Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB749) |
| 2026-01-21 | S | Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/21/2026 11:10 am) |
| 2026-01-19 | S | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
| 2026-01-19 | S | Presented and ordered printed 26100444D |