Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: Passed House Of Delegates

HB 158 — Firearm locking device; required for sale or transfer of firearm.

Last action — Continued to 2025 in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)

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

This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House of Delegates” 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Firearm locking device required for sale or transfer of firearm; warning against accessibility to children; penalty. Makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor for any licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearm to any person other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer unless the transferee is provided with a locking device for that firearm and the firearm is accompanied by a warning, in conspicuous and legible type in capital letters printed on a separate sheet of paper included within the packaging enclosing the firearm, that firearms should be locked and kept away from children and that there may be civil and criminal liability for failing to do so. The bill provides exceptions for law-enforcement and governmental agencies. This bill incorporates HB 12.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

39 added · 36 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill HB 158 now requires that any firearm sold, delivered, or transferred must come with a locking device, aimed at improving safety, especially around children. Additionally, it mandates a clear warning about responsible firearm storage, emphasizing the importance of keeping firearms unloaded and inaccessible to kids. This change matters because it reinforces safety measures and responsibilities for firearm owners, potentially reducing the risk of accidental shootings among children.

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SESSION INTRODUCED 24101536D I Offered January 10, 2024 N Prefiled January 2, 2024 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-56.3, relating to firearm locking device required for sale or transfer of firearm;
SESSION HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 24106293D HOUSE BILL NO.
warning against accessibility to chRldren;
158 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by on January 26, 2024)on Public Safety (Patrons Prior to Substitute––Delegates McClure and Jones [HB 12]) A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-56.3, relating to firearm locking device required for sale or transfer of firearm;
warning against accessibility to children;
O –––––––––– Patrons––McClure, Jones, Lopez, Anthony, Askew, Bennett-Parker, Clark, Cohen, Convirs-Fowler, D Seibold, Shin, Simon, Simonds, Tran and Willett;
Senators:
Bagby, Favola, Marsden and Salim U –––––––––– Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice C –––––––––– E Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
D penalty.2-56.3.
§ 18.2-56.3.
penalty.
As used in this section, "locking device" means (i) a device that if installed on a firearm and secured by means of a key or a mechanically, electronically, or electromechanically operated combination lock prevents the firearm from being discharged without first deactivating or removing the device by means of a key or a mechanically, electronically, or electromechanically operated combination lock or (ii) a locking mechanism incorporated into the design of a firearm that prevents discharge of the mechanism and thereby allow discharge of the firearm.
As used in this section, "locking device" means (i) a device that if installed on a fireaHm and combination lock prevents the firearm from being discharged without first deactivating or removing the device by means of a key or a mechanically, electronically, or electromechanically operated combination lock or (ii) a locking mechanism incorporated into the design of a firearm that prevents discharge of the firearm by any person who does not have access to the key or other device designed to unlock the mecB.
key or other device designed to unlock thB B.
Except as provided in subsection C, it is unlawful for any licensed manufacturer, licenseS importer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearm to any person other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer unless the transferee is provided with a loEking device for that firearm and the firearm is accompanied by the following warning, which shall appear in included within the packaging enclosing the firearm:
Except as provided in subsection C, it is unlawful for any licensed manufacturer, license5 importer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearm to any person other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer unless the transferee is provided with a locking device for that firearm and the firearm is accompanied by the following warning, which shall appear in conspicuous and legible type in capital letters and which shall be printed on a label affixed to the USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLEnclosing the firearm:
THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETYheet of paper LOCK IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE FIREARM STORAGE.
THE FIREARM STORAGE.
FIREARMS SHOULD BE S STORED UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN.
FIREARMS SHOULD BE STORED UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN.
FAILURE TO PROPERLY LOCK AND STORE U YOUC.
FAILURE TO PROPERLY LOCK AND STORE YOUR FIREARM MAY RESULT IN CIVIL OR CRIMINAL LIABILITY.
This section shall not apply to (i) the manufacture for, transfer to, or possession by the Commonwealth or the United States or a department or agency of the Commonwealth or the United S States of a firearm or (ii) the transfer to or possession by a law-enforcement officer employed by an entity referred to in clause (i) of a firearm for law-enforcement purposes.
33 C.
T D.
This section shall not apply to (i) the manufacture for, transfer to, or possession by the 35 States of a firearm or (ii) the transfer to or possession by a law-enforcement officer employed by an 36 entity referred to in clause (i) of a firearm for law-enforcement purposes.
A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
37 D.
I :
A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
T U T E H H 1
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Action History

  1. Continued to 2025 in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)

  2. Impact statement from DPB (HB158H1)

  3. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  4. Constitutional reading dispensed

  5. VOTE: Passage (51-Y 49-N)

  6. Read third time and passed House (51-Y 49-N)

  7. Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB158H1

  8. Committee substitute agreed to 24106293D-H1

  9. Read second time

  10. Read first time

  11. Reported from Public Safety with substitute (12-Y 10-N)

  12. Incorporates HB12 (Jones)

  13. Committee substitute printed 24106293D-H1

  14. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 4-N)

  15. House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  16. Assigned PS sub: Firearms

  17. Impact statement from DPB (HB158)

  18. Referred to Committee on Public Safety

  19. Referred from Courts of Justice

  20. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  21. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24101536D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 27 co-sponsors · 120 not signed on · 49 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (27)

Not signed on (120)

120 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 120 →

"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

Continued to 2025 in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)

Passed 15 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 15000
Total 15000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

VOTE: Passage (51-Y 49-N)

Passed 50 Yea · 49 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 504900
Total 504900
% of votes cast 51%49%0%0%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Nay
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Nay
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Nay
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Nay
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Nay
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Nay
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric Phillips — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Nay
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Nay
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Nay
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Nay
James W. Morefield — Nay
Jason S. Ballard — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Nay
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Nay
Knight, Barry D. — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Nay
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Nay
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Milde, Paul V. — Nay
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Nay
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Nay
Owen, David — Nay
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Nay
R. Lee Ware — Nay
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Nay
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Terry G. Kilgore — Nay
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Nay
Timothy P. Griffin — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Nay
Will Davis — Nay
Wren M. Williams — Nay

Official roll call →

Reported from Public Safety with substitute (12-Y 10-N)

Passed 12 Yea · 10 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 121000
Total 121000
% of votes cast 55%45%0%0%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
Delores Oates — Nay
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric Phillips — Nay
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Nay
Owen, David — Nay
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Rae Cousins — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay

Official roll call →

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 4-N)

Passed 6 Yea · 4 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 6401
Total 6401
% of votes cast 55%36%0%9%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Marcus B. Simon — Not Voting
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Owen, David — Nay
Rae Cousins — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 158 do?
Firearm locking device required for sale or transfer of firearm; warning against accessibility to children; penalty. Makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor for any licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearm to any person other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer unless the transferee is provided with a locking device for that firearm and the firearm is accompanied by a warning, in conspicuous and legible type in capital letters printed on a separate sheet of paper included within the packaging enclosing the firearm, that firearms should be locked and kept away from children and that there may be civil and criminal liability for failing to do so. The bill provides exceptions for law-enforcement and governmental agencies. This bill incorporates HB 12.
Who sponsors HB 158?
HB 158 is sponsored by Adele Y. McClure, Michael J. Jones, Alfonso H. Lopez, Bonita G. Anthony, Alex Q. Askew, Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker, Nadarius E. Clark, Laura Jane Cohen, Rae Cousins, Rozia A. Henson, Jr., Patrick A. Hope, Karen Keys-Gamarra, Amy J. Laufer, Marty Martinez, Holly M. Seibold, Irene Shin, Marcus B. Simon, Shelly A. Simonds, Kathy K.L. Tran, Rodney T. Willett, Lamont Bagby, Barbara A. Favola, David W. Marsden, Saddam Azlan Salim, Atoosa R. Reaser, Candi Mundon King, Michelle Lopes Maldonado, and Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler.
What is the current status of HB 158?
This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House of Delegates” 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 158?
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