Virginia 2019, 1st Special Session Status: In Committee

HB 4015 — Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks, penalty.

Last action — Referred to Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019, 1st Special Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Requires a background check for any firearm transfer and directs the Department of State Police (the Department) to establish a process for transferors to obtain such a check from licensed firearms dealers. A transferor who sells a firearm to another person without obtaining the required background check is guilty of a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides that a transferee who receives a firearm from another person without obtaining the required background check 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; (iv) at firearms shows in accordance with law; (v) that are part of a buy-back 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, 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 transfers that (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. The bill also provides that the Department shall have three business days to complete a criminal history record information check before a firearm may be transferred. The bill establishes an appropriation for the fiscal impact of the bill and authorizes the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget to allocate such appropriation among the agencies and programs impacted by the bill.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Referred to Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety

  2. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 07/09/19 19200151D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 42 co-sponsors · 105 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (42)

Not signed on (105)

105 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 4015 do?
Requires a background check for any firearm transfer and directs the Department of State Police (the Department) to establish a process for transferors to obtain such a check from licensed firearms dealers. A transferor who sells a firearm to another person without obtaining the required background check is guilty of a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides that a transferee who receives a firearm from another person without obtaining the required background check 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; (iv) at firearms shows in accordance with law; (v) that are part of a buy-back 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, 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 transfers that (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. The bill also provides that the Department shall have three business days to complete a criminal history record information check before a firearm may be transferred. The bill establishes an appropriation for the fiscal impact of the bill and authorizes the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget to allocate such appropriation among the agencies and programs impacted by the bill.
Who sponsors HB 4015?
HB 4015 is sponsored by Joseph C. Lindsey, Betsy B. Carr, Jennifer Carroll Foy, Karrie K. Delaney, David L. Bulova, Kimberly Pope Adams, C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr., Charniele L. Herring, Patrick A. Hope, Paul E. Krizek, Alfonso H. Lopez, Delores L. McQuinn, Marcia S. "Cia" Price, Sam Rasoul, David A. Reid, Debra H. Rodman, Marcus B. Simon, Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr., Kathy K.L. Tran, Cheryl B. Turpin, Jeion A. Ward, Vivian E. Watts, Jennifer B. Boysko, Rosalyn R. Dance, L. Louise Lucas, David W. Marsden, Jeremy S. McPike, Mark D. Sickles, Elizabeth R. Guzman, Saslaw, Richard L., Howell, Janet D., Ebbin, Adam P., Tyler, Roslyn C., Samirah, Ibraheem S., Murphy, Kathleen, Levine, Mark H., Kory, Kaye, Filler-Corn, Eileen, Bourne, Jeffrey M., Ayala, Hala S., Mullin, Michael P., Bell, John J., and Plum, Kenneth R..
What is the current status of HB 4015?
This bill died with 2019, 1st Special Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 4015?
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