Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks, age requirement, penalty. (SB1162)

Introduced By

Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-Springfield) with support from co-patrons Sen. Janet Howell (D-Reston), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke), and Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-Dale City)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks; age requirement; penalty. Provides that a person must be age 21 or older, or must have attained age 18 by July 1, 2019, to purchase a firearm. The bill requires a background check for any firearm transfer and requires the Department of State Police to establish a process for transferors of firearms to obtain such a check from licensed firearms dealers. A transferor who fails to obtain a required background check and transfers the firearm to another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts transfers (i) between immediate family members; (ii) that occur by operation of law; (iii) by the executor or administrator of an estate or by the trustee of a testamentary trust when the firearm is property of such estate or trust; (iv) at firearms shows in accordance with law; (v) that occur under a voluntary gun buyback or give-back program; (vi) of antique firearms; (vii) that occur at a shooting range, shooting gallery, or any other area designed for the purpose of target shooting or for use during target practice, a firearms safety or training course or class, a shooting competition, or any similar lawful activity; or (viii) that are temporary and (a) occur within the continuous presence of the owner of the firearm or (b) are necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. The bill removes the provision that makes background checks of prospective purchasers or transferees at firearms shows voluntary. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/02/2019Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19100712D
01/02/2019Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/04/2019Impact statement from VCSC (SB1162)
01/16/2019Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (9-Y 6-N) (see vote tally)