Bill Text: VA SB368 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Firearms; storage in residence where minor or person prohibited from possessing is present, penalty.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Vetoed) 2024-04-17 - Senate sustained Governor's veto [SB368 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SB368-Engrossed.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1 as follows:
§18.2-308.7:1. Storage of firearms; penalty.
A. Any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where
such person knows that a minor [ under 18 years of age ] or
a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present shall
store such firearm and the ammunition for such firearm in a locked container,
compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited
person. A firearm may be stored loaded, provided that (i) such firearm is
stored in a biometric storage device and (ii) no minor [ or prohibited
person ] is an authorized user for the lock of such biometric storage
device. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 4
misdemeanor.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any person in lawful possession of a firearm who is carrying such firearm on or about his person or (ii) the storage of any antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.
C. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing any person from lawfully authorizing a minor to access a firearm in accordance with §18.2-56.2.
D. Every dealer, as defined in §18.2-308.2:2, shall post
in a conspicuous manner at the premises of such dealer a notice stating:
"Any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows
that a minor [ under 18 years of age ] or a person who is
prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present shall store such firearm
and the ammunition for such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or
cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person. A violation of
this law is a Class 4 misdemeanor."