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Bill

HB 1597

Firearms; secure storage, penalties.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Askew and 18 co-sponsors

Virginia bill requiring firearm owners to store guns securely faces Second Amendment pushback while aiming to reduce accidental shootings and gun theft through enforced criminal penalties.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1597)
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Bill Summary · HB 1597

Legislative bill overview

HB 1597 would require firearm owners in Virginia to store firearms securely when not in use, with specific penalties for violations. The bill establishes standards for secure storage (locked containers, safes, or firearms with engaged safety mechanisms) and creates criminal liability for improper storage that results in unauthorized access, particularly by minors.

Why is this important

Unsecured firearms are a significant public safety concern: they increase risks of accidental shootings, child injuries, suicides, and theft-for-crime firearms. Virginia has no statewide secure storage requirement, making this legislation potentially impactful in reducing preventable firearm-related deaths and injuries while also addressing gun theft that supplies illegal weapons markets.

Potential points of contention

  • Constitutional concerns: Second Amendment advocates argue secure storage mandates impose undue burdens on lawful firearm ownership and self-defense rights, particularly regarding response time during emergencies
  • Liability and enforcement: Disputes over whether penalties should apply to all improper storage or only when it directly results in harm; questions about enforcement mechanisms and whether homeowners or manufacturers bear responsibility
  • Rural vs. urban application: Concerns that storage requirements may be impractical for farmers, ranchers, or those in remote areas where different firearm access needs exist

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

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