VA HB 217
vetoedAssault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties.
Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · lower
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Quick answers
Did VA HB 217 pass?
No. VA HB 217 passed the legislature but was vetoed. 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
Newest first
2026-04-14
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/14/2026 4:33 pm)
2026-04-11
Governor's recommendation received by House
executive-veto-line-item
2026-04-03
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (4/3/2026 1:26 pm)
2026-04-01
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)
2026-03-31
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
executive-receipt
2026-03-31
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
enrolled,executive-receipt
2026-03-31
Signed by Speaker
passage
2026-03-30
Signed by President
passage
2026-03-30
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB217ER)
passage
2026-03-30
Enrolled
enrolled
2026-03-11
Senate substitute agreed to by House (60-Y 35-N 0-A)
substitution
2026-03-09
Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
passage
2026-03-09
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
substitution
2026-03-09
Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
2026-03-09
Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)
2026-03-09
Read third time
reading-3
2026-03-06
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-05
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)
2026-03-05
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-05
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-05
Rules suspended
2026-03-05
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/5/2026 8:55 am)
2026-03-05
Committee substitute printed 26109164D-S2
substitution
2026-03-04
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)
committee-passage
2026-03-03
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)
2026-02-27
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/27/2026 3:48 pm)
2026-02-27
Committee substitute printed 26108593D-S1
substitution
2026-02-25
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)
committee-passage
2026-02-25
Senate committee offered
2026-02-10
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)
2026-02-06
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
referral-committee
2026-02-06
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
2026-02-05
Read third time and passed House (58-Y 34-N 0-A)
passage,reading-3
2026-02-04
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
substitution
2026-02-04
committee substitute agreed to
substitution
2026-02-04
Read second time
reading-2
2026-02-03
Read first time
reading-1
2026-02-02
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (2/2/2026 10:25 am)
2026-02-02
Committee substitute printed 26106682D-H1
substitution
2026-01-30
Reported from Public Safety with substitute (13-Y 6-N)
committee-passage
2026-01-29
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)
substitution
2026-01-29
House subcommittee offered
2026-01-24
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)
2026-01-16
Assigned HPS sub: Firearms
referral-committee
2026-01-14
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB217)
2026-01-08
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/8/2026 5:09 pm)
2026-01-07
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
referral-committee
2026-01-07
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100315D
filing,introduction
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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
Attribution
Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z
Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:
Session-wide evidence can include changes to other bills:
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