What is the status of SB727?

Chaptered as of April 22, 2026. Latest action: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1025) (April 22, 2026).

Michael Jones (D, 15), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB727?

On the Virginia Legislature website: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB727

Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia SB727: An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty.

Q: What is SB727?

SB727 is a bill in the Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty.

Q: What does SB727 do?

In its own words: An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. [S 727] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as penalty. It [DELETED: shall] [DELETED: be] is unlawful for any person to carry [DELETED: a] [DELETED: loaded] [DELETED: (a)] [DELETED: semi-automatic] [DELETED: center-fire] [DELETED: rifle] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: pistol] [DELETED: that] [DELETED: expels] [DELETED: single] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: multiple] [DELETED: projectiles] [DELETED: by] [DELETED.

Status: Chaptered, April 22, 2026

Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of an assault firearm, as defined in relevant law, on or about his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public, with certain exceptions. Under current law, the prohibition on carrying certain firearms applies to a narrower range of firearms, only in certain localities, and only when such firearms are loaded. A violation of this prohibition is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill incorporates SB 312 and is identical to HB 1524.

What the bill says

An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. [S 727] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as penalty. It [DELETED: shall] [DELETED: be] is unlawful for any person to carry [DELETED: a] [DELETED: loaded] [DELETED: (a)] [DELETED: semi-automatic] [DELETED: center-fire] [DELETED: rifle] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: pistol] [DELETED: that] [DELETED: expels] [DELETED: single] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: multiple] [DELETED: projectiles] [DELETED: by] [DELETED.

From the enrolled text, April 22, 2026:

An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. [S 727] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as penalty. It [DELETED: shall] [DELETED: be] is unlawful for any person to carry [DELETED: a] [DELETED: loaded] [DELETED: (a)] [DELETED: semi-automatic] [DELETED: center-fire] [DELETED: rifle] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: pistol] [DELETED: that] [DELETED: expels] [DELETED: single] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: multiple] [DELETED: projectiles] [DELETED: by] [DELETED: action] [DELETED: of] [DELETED: an] [DELETED: explosion] [DELETED: of] [DELETED: a] [DELETED: combustible] [DELETED: material] [DELETED: and] [DELETED: is] [DELETED: equipped] [DELETED: at] [DELETED: the] [DELETED: time] [DELETED: of] [DELETED: the] [DELETED: offense] [DELETED: with] [DELETED: a] [DELETED: magazine] [DELETED: that] [DELETED: will] [DELETED: hold] [DELETED: more] [DELETED: than] [DELETED: 20] [DELETED: rounds] [DELETED: of] [DELETED: ammunition] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: designed] [DELETED: by] [DELETED: the] [DELETED: manufacturer] [DELETED: to] [DELETED: accommodate] [DELETED: a] [DELETED: silencer] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: equipped] [DELETED: with] [DELETED: a] [DELETED: folding] [DELETED: stock] [DELETED: or] [DELETED: (b)] [DELETED: shotgun] [DELETED: with] [DELETED: a] [DELETED: magazine] [DELETED: that] [DELETED: will] [DELETED: hold] [DELETED: more] [DELETED: than] [DELETED: seven] [DELETED: rounds] [DELETED: of] [DELETED: the] [DELETED: longest] [DELETED: ammunition] [DELETED: for] [DELETED: which] [DELETED: it] [DELETED: is] [DELETED: chambered] an assault …

Virginia SB727: An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty.

What the bill says

Sponsors

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Common questions