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SB727Introduced in the Senate

Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty.

Passed

Introduced by Michael Jones, District 77

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

Official description

Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of an assault firearm, as defined in relevant law, on or about his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public, with certain exceptions. Under current law, the prohibition on carrying certain firearms applies to a narrower range of firearms, only in certain localities, and only when such firearms are loaded. A violation of this prohibition is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill incorporates SB 312 and is identical to HB 1524.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1025)

April 22, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

6 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026

21

Yes

18

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3Absent
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Presented and ordered printed 26104545D

  2. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  3. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/23/2026 11:55 am)

  4. Incorporates SB312 (Ebbin)

  5. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)

  6. Committee substitute printed 26106280D-S1

  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB727)

  8. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/29/2026 4:37 pm)

  9. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)

  10. Committee substitute printed 26106399D-S2

  11. Rules suspended

  12. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  13. Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

  14. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/5/2026 4:42 pm)

  15. Read second time

  16. Courts of Justice Substitute rejected

  17. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

  18. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

  19. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

  20. Placed on Calendar

  21. Read first time

  22. Referred to Committee on Public Safety

  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB727)

  24. Reported from Public Safety with substitute (14-Y 8-N)

  25. Committee substitute printed 26108968D-H1

  26. Read second time

  27. Read third time

  28. committee substitute agreed to

  29. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  30. Passed House with substitute (55-Y 41-N 0-A)

  31. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB727)

  32. House substitute agreed to by Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

  33. Enrolled

  34. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB727ER)

  35. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB727)

  36. Signed by Speaker

  37. Signed by President

  38. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

  39. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  40. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

  41. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  42. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (59-Y 38-N 0-A)

  43. Governor's recommendation adopted

  44. Reenrolled

  45. Reenrolled bill text (SB727ER2)

  46. Signed by Speaker

  47. Signed by President

  48. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1025 (effective 7/1/2026)

  49. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1025)

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