An Act to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-308.1:4 and 18.2-308.1:8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to firearm transfers to another person from a prohibited person.
HB93 amends Virginia’s firearm-prohibition and surrender rules for people subject to certain protective orders. The bill keeps in place the existing ban on purchasing, transporting, or possessing firearms while a qualifying protective order is active, and it continues to treat violations as criminal offenses. It also preserves the special 24-hour window after service of certain protective orders during which a covered person may transport firearms only for the purpose of surrendering, selling, or transferring them.
The bill adds and clarifies procedures for getting firearms out of the hands of a person subject to a protective order. Courts must advise the person that law enforcement may seek a search warrant if firearms are not relinquished, and must order the person to surrender, sell, or transfer firearms within 24 hours and to file a written certification within 48 hours confirming compliance. The bill also requires the court to provide the person with the address and hours of a designated law-enforcement agency and the required certification forms when the order is served.
HB93 amends §§ 18.2-308.1:4 and 18.2-308.1:8 of the Code of Virginia, strengthening and clarifying the statutory process for firearm surrender, sale, or transfer by individuals subject to certain protective orders. It affects people under domestic violence, family abuse, stalking, and related protective orders, as well as law-enforcement agencies, courts, firearms dealers, and private transferees. The bill also reinforces contempt consequences for failing to file the required certification and preserves the existing misdemeanor and felony penalties tied to unlawful firearm conduct under protective orders.
The bill appears to have been enacted without recorded committee debate or recorded votes in the provided materials, suggesting limited visible controversy in the available record. The final status as chaptered legislation indicates it received sufficient support to pass and be signed into law. Overall, the measure is framed as a public-safety and enforcement clarification rather than a major policy shift, which is consistent with the absence of documented opposition in the supplied context.
The main policy tension in HB93 is between firearm access and public-safety enforcement for individuals subject to protective orders. Supporters would likely view the bill as improving compliance, clarifying surrender procedures, and helping prevent firearm-related harm in domestic violence or abuse situations. Potential critics could focus on the burden placed on protected persons to act quickly, certify compliance, and navigate transfer or surrender requirements, as well as the expanded role of law enforcement and courts in verifying firearm relinquishment. No specific opposing arguments or named stakeholders are included in the provided transcripts or vote history.