Skip to main content
Independent and nonpartisan. SaveYourState is a civic information resource. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any government agency, party, or campaign.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 871: Firearms; storage in residence where minor or person prohibited from possessing is present, penalty.

Passed both chambers Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 871 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Firearms; storage in residence where minor or person prohibited from possessing is present, penalty. Primary sponsor: Mark C. Downey. It lists 13 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 11, 2026): Governor's recommendation received by House.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

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

Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty. Provides that any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor 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. Under the bill, any person who violates this provision is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. The bill also requires any dealer, as that term is defined in current law, to post a written notice informing the public of the penalty imposed for failure to comply with the bill's provisions. This bill is identical to SB 348.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 12

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Mark C. DowneyPrimary sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Elizabeth Bennett-ParkerCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate39
Katrina CallsenCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse54
Nadarius ClarkCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse84
Nicole ColeCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse66
Rae CousinsCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse79
Michael FeggansCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse97
J.R. HensonCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse19
Michelle Lopes MaldonadoCo-sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Marty MartinezCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse29
Adele McClureCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse2
Cia PriceCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse85
Irene ShinCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse8
Kathy TranCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse18

“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. Governor's recommendation received by House
  2. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  3. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
  4. Signed by Speaker
  5. Signed by President
  6. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB871)
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB871ER)
  8. Enrolled
  9. Senate substitute agreed to by House (60-Y 34-N 0-A)
  10. Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
  11. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
  12. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

Showing 12 most recent of 34 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source