Signed by Governor Ralph Northam

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that authorizes localities to prohibit firearms at public events, and repeals law restricting localities from establishing ordinances prohibiting firearms.

Highlights:

• Authorizes localities to adopt ordinances that prohibit the possession, carrying, or transportation of firearms in (Sec. 1):

• Any building owned or used by the locality for government purposes;

• Any public park owned by the locality;  

• Any recreation or community center operated by the locality; or

• Any public street, road, alley, or sidewalk, or public right-of-way open and used by the public.

• Authorizes localities to allow individuals who are surrendering firearms as part of a gun buyback program the opportunity to request that the firearm be sold instead of being destroyed (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that provisions of this bill do not apply to the activities of (Sec.1):

• A Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program operated at a public or private institution of higher education; or

• Any intercollegiate athletics program operated by a public or private institution of higher education and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association or a club sports team recognized by an institution of higher education where the sport engaged in by such program involves the use of a firearm.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes localities to prohibit firearms at public events, and repeals law restricting localities from establishing ordinances prohibiting firearms.

Highlights:

• Authorizes localities to adopt ordinances that prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms in (Sec. 15.2-915):

• Any building owned or used by the locality for government purposes;

• Any public park owned by the locality;  

• Any public street, road, alley, and/or sidewalk; or

• Any other space that requires a permit to host an event.

• Authorizes localities to allow individuals who are surrendering firearms as part of a gun buyback program the opportunity to request that the firearm be sold instead of being destroyed (Sec. 15.2-915.5).

Full Bill Text