Virginia 2023 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate

SB 901 — Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; civil penalty.

Last action — Left in Public Safety

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

This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

28 added · 25 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Senate Bill 901 clarify the definition of an "unattended motor vehicle" by removing references to trailers and semitrailers. The changes also simplify the requirements around securing handguns in these vehicles, stating that a handgun cannot be left in an unattended vehicle unless the vehicle is locked, without the added requirement of securing it in a locked container. This matters because it makes the law more straightforward for gun owners, potentially encouraging compliance and enhancing public safety.

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SESSION INTRODUCED 23103458D SENATE BILL NO.
SESSION ENGROSSED 23103458D SENATE BILL NO.
901 I Offered January 11, 2023 N Prefiled January 5, 2023 T A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-1215.1, relating to firearm in unattended motor vehicle;
901 Senate Amendments in [ ] - January 31, 2023 Prefiled January 5, 2023 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-1215.1, relating to firearm in unattended motor vehicle;
R Patrons––Marsden, Barker, Bell, Boysko, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hashmi, Howell, Locke, O Lucas, Mason, McPike, Petersen, Saslaw, Spruill and Surovell D –––––––––– Referred to Committee on the Judiciary U –––––––––– C 1.
–––––––––– PatHashmi, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Mason, McPike, Petersen, Saslaw, Spruill and Surovellwards, Favola, –––––––––– E Referred to Committee on the Judiciary N –––––––––– G Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2 a E section numbered 46.2-1215.1 as follows:
section numbered 46.2-1215.1 as follows:by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 46.2 a R § 46.2-1215.1.
§ 46.2-1215.1.
D A.
O A.
For purposes of this section, an "unattended motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination thereof that is left unattended on a public highway or other public or combination thereof is unable to observe such motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part oror part combination thereof.
For purposes of this section, an "unattended motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle [ , trailer, semitrailer, or part or combination thereof ] that is left unattended on a public highway or other public property and the owner, operator, or any passenger of such motor vehicle [ , trailer, semitrailSr, or part or combination thereof ] is unable to observe such motor vehicle [ , trailer, semitrailer, or pErt or comB.
B.
No person shall leave, place, or store any handgun, as defined in § 18.2-307.1, in any unattended motor vehicle unless such vehicle is locked [ and such handgun is secured in a locked container or locked compartment of such vehicle ] .
No person shall leave, place, or store any handgun, as defined in § 18.2-307.1, in any unattended motor vehicle unless such vehicle is locked and such handgun is secured in a locked container or locked compartment of such vehicle.
C.
B $500.
Any person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty of no more than $500.
Any person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty of no m0re than All penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to be credited to the Literary Fund as provided in § 46.2-114.
All penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to be credited to the LitD.
D.
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Action History

  1. Left in Public Safety

  2. Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 4-N)

  3. Assigned PS sub: Subcommittee #1

  4. Referred to Committee on Public Safety

  5. Read first time

  6. Placed on Calendar

  7. Impact statement from DPB (SB901E)

  8. Read third time and passed Senate (24-Y 16-N)

  9. Printed as engrossed 23103458D-E

  10. Engrossed by Senate as amended SB901E

  11. Committee amendments agreed to

  12. Reading of amendments waived

  13. Read second time

  14. Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

  15. Reported from Transportation with amendments (8-Y 7-N)

  16. Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  17. Impact statement from DPB (SB901)

  18. Rereferred to Transportation

  19. Rereferred from Judiciary (11-Y 4-N)

  20. Referred to Committee on the Judiciary

  21. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/23 23103458D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 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

Votes

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 901?
SB 901 is sponsored by David W. Marsden.
What is the current status of SB 901?
This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” 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 SB 901?
Track SB 901 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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