The Virginia General Assembly has enacted House Bill 110, which introduces specific requirements for the storage of handguns left in unattended motor vehicles. Signed by the Governor on April 13, 2026, the legislation becomes law effective July 1, 2026, as Chapter 560 of the Acts of Assembly. This measure amends the Code of Virginia by adding section 18.2-308.7:1, focusing on secure storage of handguns in unattended vehicles and setting penalties for violations.
The core provision of the bill states that it is unlawful for any person to leave a handgun in an unattended motor vehicle unless the handgun is securely stored in a locked hard-sided container. The container must be locked and can be one that is affixed to the vehicle’s interior by steel cable, bolt, or welding. A handgun is defined as a pistol or revolver designed to be fired by hand.
The bill defines an unattended motor vehicle as one left unattended on a public highway or other public property, or in any parking area or lot. The storage requirement applies in these situations.
Noncompliance with the secure storage rule constitutes a Class 4 misdemeanor. This is the bill’s mechanism to enforce the new standard.
House Bill 110 was introduced on January 2, 2026, by Delegate Amy Laufer, with co-patrons Delegates Clark, McClure, Bennett-Parker, Cousins, Martinez, and Price. The bill is identical to Senate Bill 496.
The legislative path included the House passing the bill, followed by Senate action. On February 23, 2026, the Senate Courts of Justice committee reported the bill with a substitute by a 9 to 5 vote and rereferred it to the Finance and Appropriations committee. Additional work led to a conference report on March 14, 2026. The final approved version was signed by the Governor.
A notable aspect of the process involved a proposed substitute that included language for exemptions for members of the General Assembly. Republican lawmakers opposed this language, emphasizing the need for the law to apply to everyone without exception. The final bill does not contain such exemptions, resulting in the requirements applying to all persons equally.
This outcome means that elected officials, like all other Virginia residents, must follow the secure storage rules when leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle. The rejection of special treatment for legislators was achieved through the efforts of those who sought consistent application of the new regulations.
The bill represents an addition to firearm-related statutes by focusing on vehicle storage practices. Gun owners who transport handguns as part of their lawful activities will need to incorporate the use of locked hard-sided containers into their routines to avoid the Class 4 misdemeanor penalty.
The definition of unattended covers a wide range of parking scenarios, from public roads to lots, ensuring broad coverage of situations where vehicles are left without supervision.
By establishing these requirements, the law sets a specific standard for security that must be met to prevent potential issues. The Class 4 misdemeanor classification indicates the seriousness with which the state views noncompliance.
Republican participation in the legislative process helped shape the bill by removing the proposed carveouts for public officials. This promotes the idea that no group should be above the laws passed for the general public.
As the July 1, 2026, effective date approaches, individuals affected by the law are expected to adjust their practices accordingly. The bill’s text provides clear guidelines on what constitutes secure storage and what situations trigger the requirement.
The process for House Bill 110 involved several text versions, including amendments in the House and Senate, culminating in the enrolled version that became law.
This legislation adds regulatory steps for firearm owners in Virginia. The uniform nature of the rules, without exemptions for legislators, was secured after opposition to differential treatment proposals.
Virginia gun owners must now consider the secure storage mandate when using their vehicles. The penalty of a Class 4 misdemeanor serves as the enforcement tool for the new provisions.
The bill’s enactment follows its passage through both chambers and the Governor’s approval. The details of the secure container requirement and the definition of unattended vehicle are key elements that will guide future compliance and enforcement.
In the context of the 2026 session, House Bill 110 stands as a measure that imposes new obligations on citizens regarding their handguns. The final text reflects adjustments made to ensure no special rules for elected officials.
Republican legislators’ stance against exemptions contributed to the bill’s final form. The law will require locked storage for handguns in unattended vehicles statewide starting in the summer of 2026.
This completes the overview of the bill’s content and history. The new section in the Code of Virginia will be in effect soon, affecting how handguns are handled in vehicles. The requirement for a hard-sided locked container means owners may need to acquire compliant storage solutions for their firearms when parking in the covered locations. The broad definition of unattended status ensures the rule covers most everyday parking situations encountered by residents. Lawmakers finalized the text after multiple rounds of review, resulting in a statute that applies without carveouts for any particular group. The Class 4 misdemeanor provides a clear consequence for violations, and the effective date gives time for preparation. Overall, the enacted provisions standardize storage practices for handguns across Virginia beginning next summer.
