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Bill

SB 364

Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Center; work group to develop policy, etc., to establish.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Carroll Foy and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia establishes a state Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention to research and report on gun violence reduction strategies and evidence-based prevention practices.

Governor's recommendation received by Senate
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Bill Summary · SB 364

Legislative bill overview

SB 364 establishes a Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention, which would serve as a dedicated state entity focused on research, policy development, and intervention strategies related to gun violence. The bill requires the center to produce reports on firearm violence prevention initiatives and evidence-based practices for reducing gun-related deaths and injuries.

Why is this important

Firearm violence remains a significant public health issue, and creating a specialized center could provide systematic data collection and policy recommendations to inform state-level interventions. Such centers can help coordinate efforts across law enforcement, public health, and community organizations while establishing Virginia as a leader in evidence-based violence prevention policy.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment concerns: Some stakeholders may view the center as a backdoor mechanism for implementing stricter gun regulations rather than neutral violence prevention research
  • Funding and scope: Questions about the center's budget, staffing, and whether its mandate focuses on gun violence specifically versus all violence prevention
  • Research methodology and bias: Disagreement over what constitutes "evidence-based" prevention, particularly regarding whether the center prioritizes public health approaches versus law enforcement strategies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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