Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB496: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1, relating to handguns in unattended motor vehicles.
Status: Chaptered, April 13, 2026
Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; penalty. Creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who, when leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle, fails to securely store such handgun in a locked hard-sided container, including a locked container that is affixed to the vehicle's interior by steel cable, bolt, or welding. The bill provides that such locked container includes a locked glove compartment or a locked center console. The bill contains certain exemptions, including an exemption for a person who reports the theft or loss of such firearm to a law-enforcement agency as provided in relevant law. This bill is identical to HB 110.
What the bill says
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1, relating to handguns in unattended motor vehicles. [S 496] Approved April 13, 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: "Handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made, and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand. "Vehicle" has the same meaning as ascribed to "motor vehicle" in § 46.2-364.
From the enrolled text, April 13, 2026:
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1, relating to handguns in unattended motor vehicles. [S 496] Approved April 13, 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: "Handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made, and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand. "Vehicle" has the same meaning as ascribed to "motor vehicle" in § 46.2-364. A "boat" is considered a vehicle and is defined as any vessel or other watercraft, privately owned, whether moved by oars, paddles, sails, or other power mechanism, inboard or outboard, or any other vessel or structure floating on water in the Commonwealth, whether or not capable of self-locomotion, including cruisers, cabin cruisers, runabouts, houseboats, and barges. However, bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, motorized skateboards or scooters, and mopeds are not vehicles. A vehicle is considered to be unattended if (i) such vehicle is left unattended (a) on a public highway or other public property or (b) any parking area, lot, or structure intended for commercial or retail use, including such parking areas, lots, or structures …