Bill Commons

VA HB 217

vetoed

Assault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · lower

Quick answers

Did VA HB 217 pass?

No. VA HB 217 passed the legislature but was vetoed on 2026-04-14. Latest recorded action (2026-04-14): Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:33 pm)

What is VA HB 217 about?

Purchase, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalties. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm, as that term is defined in the bill with some exceptions, and prohibits a person who has been convicted of such violation from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm for a period of three years from the date of conviction. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, or is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action. The bill also prohibits the sale of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, transfers, or purchases a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill is identical to SB 749.

Who sponsors VA HB 217?

Dan I. Helmer is the primary sponsor of VA HB 217, joined by 27 cosponsors.

Description

Purchase, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalties. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm, as that term is defined in the bill with some exceptions, and prohibits a person who has been convicted of such violation from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm for a period of three years from the date of conviction. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, or is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action. The bill also prohibits the sale of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, transfers, or purchases a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill is identical to SB 749.

Introduced
2026-01-07
Latest action
2026-04-14 — Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:33 pm)
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Sponsors

  • Dan I. Helmerprimary
  • JJ Singhcosponsor
  • Irene Shincosponsor
  • Holly M. Seiboldcosponsor
  • Charlie Schmidtcosponsor
  • David A. Reidcosponsor
  • Atoosa R. Reasercosponsor
  • May Nivarcosponsor
  • Garrett McGuirecosponsor
  • Marty Martinezcosponsor
  • Alfonso H. Lopezcosponsor
  • Destiny LeVere Bollingcosponsor
  • Amy J. Laufercosponsor
  • Paul E. Krizekcosponsor
  • Kathy K.L. Trancosponsor
  • Patrick A. Hopecosponsor
  • Phil M. Hernandezcosponsor
  • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.cosponsor
  • Mark C. Downeycosponsor
  • Laura Jane Cohencosponsor
  • Betsy B. Carrcosponsor
  • Gretchen M. Bulovacosponsor
  • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parkercosponsor
  • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.cosponsor
  • Marcia S. "Cia" Pricecosponsor
  • Rae Cousinscosponsor
  • Nadarius E. Clarkcosponsor
  • Karen Keys-Gamarracosponsor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

  1. 2026-01-07

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100315D

    filing,introduction

  2. 2026-01-07

    Referred to Committee on Public Safety

    referral-committee

  3. 2026-01-08

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/8/2026 5:09 pm)

  4. 2026-01-14

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)

  5. 2026-01-16

    Assigned HPS sub: Firearms

    referral-committee

  6. 2026-01-24

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)

  7. 2026-01-29

    House subcommittee offered

  8. 2026-01-29

    Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)

    substitution

  9. 2026-01-30

    Reported from Public Safety with substitute (13-Y 6-N)

    committee-passage

  10. 2026-02-02

    Committee substitute printed 26106682D-H1

    substitution

  11. 2026-02-02

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/2/2026 10:25 am)

  12. 2026-02-03

    Read first time

    reading-1

  13. 2026-02-04

    Read second time

    reading-2

  14. 2026-02-04

    committee substitute agreed to

    substitution

  15. 2026-02-04

    Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    substitution

  16. 2026-02-05

    Read third time and passed House (58-Y 34-N 0-A)

    passage,reading-3

  17. 2026-02-06

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  18. 2026-02-06

    Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    referral-committee

  19. 2026-02-10

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)

  20. 2026-02-25

    Senate committee offered

  21. 2026-02-25

    Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)

    committee-passage

  22. 2026-02-27

    Committee substitute printed 26108593D-S1

    substitution

  23. 2026-02-27

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/27/2026 3:48 pm)

  24. 2026-03-03

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)

  25. 2026-03-04

    Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)

    committee-passage

  26. 2026-03-05

    Committee substitute printed 26109164D-S2

    substitution

  27. 2026-03-05

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/5/2026 8:55 am)

  28. 2026-03-05

    Rules suspended

  29. 2026-03-05

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  30. 2026-03-05

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  31. 2026-03-05

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)

  32. 2026-03-06

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  33. 2026-03-09

    Read third time

    reading-3

  34. 2026-03-09

    Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)

  35. 2026-03-09

    Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

  36. 2026-03-09

    Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    substitution

  37. 2026-03-09

    Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    passage

  38. 2026-03-11

    Senate substitute agreed to by House (60-Y 35-N 0-A)

    substitution

  39. 2026-03-30

    Enrolled

    enrolled

  40. 2026-03-30

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB217ER)

    passage

  41. 2026-03-30

    Signed by President

    passage

  42. 2026-03-31

    Signed by Speaker

    passage

  43. 2026-03-31

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    enrolled,executive-receipt

  44. 2026-03-31

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    executive-receipt

  45. 2026-04-01

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)

  46. 2026-04-03

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/3/2026 1:26 pm)

  47. 2026-04-11

    Governor's recommendation received by House

    executive-veto-line-item

  48. 2026-04-14

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:33 pm)

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

    2026-01-29 · pass · 7-3

    Member-level votes (11)
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: not voting
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Eric R. Zehr: no
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes

  • Reported from Public Safety with substitute

    2026-01-30 · pass · 13-6

    Member-level votes (22)
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: not voting
    • Jessica L. Anderson: not voting
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Michael J. Webert: not voting
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Eric Phillips: no
    • Eric R. Zehr: no
    • Mitchell Cornett: no
    • Karen Hamilton: no

  • H VOTE:

    2026-02-05 · pass · 58-34

    Member-level votes (100)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: not voting
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: no
    • Jason S. Ballard: not voting
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: no
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: no
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: not voting
    • Mitchell Cornett: no
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: no
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
    • Lily V. Franklin: not voting
    • Margaret A. Franklin: not voting
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
    • Jackie H. Glass: not voting
    • Timothy P. Griffin: no
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Karen Hamilton: no
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: no
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: no
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: no
    • Barry D. Knight: not voting
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: not voting
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
    • Joseph P. McNamara: no
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: no
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: no
    • Justin Pence: no
    • Eric Phillips: no
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: no
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: no
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
    • Wendell S. Walker: no
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: no
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Madison Whittle: no
    • Bill Wiley: no
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: no
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
    • Scott A. Wyatt: no
    • Eric R. Zehr: no

  • Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute

    2026-02-25 · pass · 9-6

    Member-level votes (15)
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes

  • Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

    2026-03-04 · pass · 10-5

    Member-level votes (15)
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • Bryce E. Reeves: no
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: no
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes

  • Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)

    2026-03-05 · pass · 39-0

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: not voting
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • Passage R

    2026-03-09 · pass · 21-19

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: no
    • Christie New Craig: no
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: no
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
    • Tara A. Durant: no
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: no
    • T. Travis Hackworth: no
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: no
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: no
    • Bryce E. Reeves: no
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • David R. Suetterlein: no
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • H VOTE:

    2026-03-11 · pass · 60-35

    Member-level votes (99)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: not voting
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: no
    • Jason S. Ballard: no
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: no
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: no
    • Nadarius E. Clark: yes
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: not voting
    • Mitchell Cornett: no
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: no
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: no
    • Lily V. Franklin: not voting
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
    • Jackie H. Glass: not voting
    • Timothy P. Griffin: no
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Karen Hamilton: no
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: no
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: no
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: no
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: no
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: no
    • Joseph P. McNamara: no
    • Kirk McPike: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: no
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: no
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: no
    • Justin Pence: no
    • Eric Phillips: no
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: no
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: no
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: no
    • Wendell S. Walker: no
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: no
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Madison Whittle: no
    • Bill Wiley: no
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: no
    • Tony O. Wilt: no
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
    • Scott A. Wyatt: no
    • Eric R. Zehr: no

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB217

Attribution

Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z

Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:

Source and document changesStatus and relationship changes

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