Handguns in unattended motor vehicle; definitions, penalty.
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1, relating to handguns in unattended motor vehicles.” Read the full text
2026 session
What it does
Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; penalty. Creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who, when leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle, fails to securely store such handgun in a locked hard-sided container, including a locked container that is affixed to the vehicle's interior by steel cable, bolt, or welding. The bill provides that such locked container includes a locked glove compartment or a locked center console. The bill contains certain exemptions, including an exemption for a per
From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
Introduced · Jan 13, 2026
Acts of Assembly Chapter 561 (latest official status)
Latest official status shown, exactly as the official record states it. The step by step history lives on the official page linked below.
The numbers
2
sponsors on the bill
Sponsors
David W. MarsdenAdam P. Ebbin
Recorded votes
Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-03-14 · P · Y 21, N 18, X 1
Conference report agreed to by House (60-Y 36-N 0-A)House of Delegates · 2026-03-14 · P · Y 60, N 36, X 3
Senate requested second conference committee (21-Y 18-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-03-14 · P · Y 21, N 18, X 1
Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-03-10 · P · Y 40
House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-03-06 · F · N 40
Passed House with substitute (63-Y 36-N 0-A)House of Delegates · 2026-03-04 · P · Y 63, N 36
Reported from Public Safety with substitute (15-Y 7-N)House of Delegates · 2026-02-27 · P · Y 15, N 7
Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-02-16 · P · Y 20, X 1, N 19
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N)Senate · 2026-02-11 · P · Y 9, N 6
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-01-27 · P · Y 39, X 1
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (9-Y 5-N)Senate · 2026-01-26 · P · Y 9, N 5, X 1
Roll-call results shown verbatim from the Virginia legislature’s records. A result reflects that roll call’s own motion, not the bill’s overall outcome.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Acts of Assembly Chapter 561.