Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB348: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1, relating to storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty.
Status: Chaptered, April 22, 2026
Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty. Provides that any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present shall store such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person, or renders such firearm incapable of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that firearm and specific to this purpose. Under the bill, any person who violates this provision is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The bill also requires any dealer, as that term is defined in current law, to post a written notice informing the public of the penalty imposed for failure to comply with the bill's provisions. This bill is identical to HB 871.
What the bill says
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1, relating to storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty. [S 348] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1 as penalty. A. For purposes of this section: "Firearm" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-308.2:2. "Minor" means an individual younger than 18 years of age who is not authorized to use or possess a firearm under § 18.2-308.7. B. Any person who possesses a firearm.
From the enrolled text, April 22, 2026:
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1, relating to storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty. [S 348] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1 as penalty. A. For purposes of this section: "Firearm" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-308.2:2. "Minor" means an individual younger than 18 years of age who is not authorized to use or possess a firearm under § 18.2-308.7. B. Any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present shall store such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person, or shall render such firearm incapable of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that firearm and specific to this purpose. A firearm may be stored loaded, provided that (i) such firearm is stored in a storage device with a combination lock, coded lock, or biometric lock and (ii) no minor or prohibited person is an authorized user for the lock of such storage device. Any person …