SB 749 / HB 217 — Assault Firearms & Magazine Ban
Critical
Prohibits import, sale, manufacture, purchase, or transfer of "assault firearms" and magazines over 15 rounds. Firearms and magazines lawfully owned before July 1 are grandfathered for possession — but cannot be transferred or sold within Virginia ever again.
✅ Still allowed after July 1
Possessing grandfathered assault firearms at home. Possessing 15+ round mags you already own. Transporting unloaded in locked case.
❌ Prohibited after July 1
Buying new assault firearms. Buying 15+ round mags. Selling or gifting grandfathered firearms — even to family. Carrying in public.
SB 727 / HB 1524 — No Public Carry of Assault Firearms
Critical
Public carry of assault-classified firearms is prohibited. Your Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP/CCL) does NOT exempt you. A conviction also prohibits ALL firearm possession for 3 years — including non-assault firearms.
HB 871 / SB 348 — Safe Storage Required
High
Firearms must be stored in a locked safe or secured with a trigger lock when a minor or prohibited person is in the home. Criminal liability attaches if an unsecured firearm is accessed by a minor and injury results.
HB 110 — Handgun in Unattended Vehicle
Medium
Class 4 misdemeanor for leaving a handgun visible in an unattended vehicle. Must be in a locked container, locked glove box, or out of plain view.
HB 626 — No Carry in Government Buildings
Medium
Prohibits carry of firearms in buildings owned or leased by the Commonwealth. CCL does not exempt. Check for signage before entering any state or local government building while armed.
HB 40 / SB 323 — Ghost Gun Ban (Two Phases)
High
No grandfather clause. This is the most consequential law for builders.
Jan 1, 2027
Manufacturing new unserialized firearms prohibited
Jul 1, 2027
Possession of unserialized firearms prohibited — must be serialized or surrendered
What exactly is an "assault firearm" under SB 749? ▾
SB 749 defines assault firearms by a feature test. A semi-automatic centerfire rifle with a detachable magazine qualifies if it has any one of: pistol grip below the stock, folding or collapsible stock, flash suppressor, forward pistol grip, or grenade/flare launcher. Similar feature tests apply to semi-automatic pistols and shotguns. Use our
interactive checker to find out if your specific firearm qualifies.
What documents do I need to prove pre-ban ownership? ▾
The law doesn't specify what documentation is required — it just requires that you owned the firearm before July 1, 2026. Best documentation in order of strength: ATF Form 4473 (FFL purchase), dated purchase receipts, bank/credit card statements, dated photos with serial number visible, video walkthrough with date said aloud, email confirmations from retailers. Use our
complete checklist to walk through every step.
Can I put my assault firearms in a trust to transfer them to my kids? ▾
This is one of the most legally unsettled questions under SB 749. The law prohibits transfer — but whether moving items into a trust constitutes a "transfer" under Virginia law is not yet definitively answered. Adding grandfathered assault firearms to an NFA trust after July 1 is a significant legal risk. Complete all trust transfers BEFORE July 1 and consult John Pierce Esq. (johnpierceesq.com) immediately.
Does my Virginia CCL protect me from SB 727 (public carry ban)? ▾
No. SB 727 explicitly prohibits public carry of assault-classified firearms regardless of whether you hold a Concealed Handgun Permit. Your CCL is irrelevant to this law. A conviction under SB 727 also prohibits you from possessing ANY firearm — including handguns — for 3 years.
What happens to lawsuits against SB 749? ▾
VCDL, NRA-ILA, GOA, and the Firearms Policy Coalition have all filed or are preparing lawsuits challenging SB 749 under the Second Amendment. If a court issues an injunction before July 1, the law could be delayed. However:
do not count on an injunction. Document your ownership as if July 1 is a hard deadline — if the law is blocked, your documentation hurts nothing. If it isn't blocked and you haven't documented, you've lost your window. Monitor
our litigation tracker for updates.
My AR-15 has a fixed stock and no pistol grip. Is it still an assault firearm? ▾
Possibly not — if it truly has no prohibited features AND a detachable magazine. However, "detachable magazine" is broadly defined. Some states interpret certain Thordsen-style stocks as thumbhole stocks. Use our
feature checker and then consult an attorney. This is worth a $100 phone call to John Pierce Esq. to get a definitive answer.
I bought my rifle through a private sale with no paperwork. What can I do? ▾
This is the hardest documentation situation. Do everything you can: photograph the firearm with serial number today, record a video, email photos to yourself, upload to cloud with timestamp. If you can contact the seller, get a signed, dated, notarized statement. Check your bank records for a cash withdrawal around the purchase date. Any corroborating evidence helps. An attorney can advise on what documentation is legally sufficient.