HB 1608: Firearm industry members; standards of responsible conduct, civil liability.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Firearm industry members; standards of responsible conduct; civil liability. Creates standards of responsible conduct for firearm industry members and requires such members to establish and implement reasonable controls regarding the manufacture, sale, distribution, use, and marketing of the firearm industry member's firearm-related products, as those terms are defined in the bill. Such reasonable controls include reasonable procedures, safeguards, and business practices that are designed to (i) prevent the sale or distribution of a firearm-related product to a straw purchaser, a firearm trafficker, a person prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law, or a person who the firearm industry member has reasonable cause to believe is at substantial risk of using a firearm-related product to harm themselves or unlawfully harm another or of unlawfully possessing or using a firearm-related product; (ii) prevent the loss of a firearm-related product or theft of a firearm-related product from a firearm industry member; (iii) ensure that the firearm industry member complies with all provisions of state and federal law and does not otherwise promote the unlawful manufacture, sale, possession, marketing, or use of a firearm-related product; and (iv) ensure that the firearm industry member does not engage in an act or practice in violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The bill also provides that a firearm industry member may not knowingly or recklessly create, maintain, or contribute to a public nuisance, as defined in the bill, through the sale, manufacturing, importing, or marketing of a firearm-related product. The bill creates a civil cause of action for the Attorney General or a local county or city attorney to enforce the provisions of the bill or for any person who has been injured as a result of a firearm industry member's violation to seek an injunction and to recover costs and damages.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 2, 2025House sustained Governor's veto
2. March 24, 2025Vetoed by Governor
3. March 5, 2025Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
4. March 5, 2025Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 5, 2025
5. February 23, 2025Signed by President
6. February 20, 2025Signed by Speaker
7. February 20, 2025Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1608ER)
8. February 20, 2025Enrolled
9. February 18, 2025Senate substitute agreed to by House (50-Y 47-N)
10. February 14, 2025Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 15-N)
11. February 14, 2025Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
12. February 14, 2025Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

Showing 12 most recent of 28 actions. Full history