Virginia enacts ban on carrying 'assault firearms' in public areas with exceptions and penalties (HB1524)
State bill HB1524 — Virginia — status: enacted
Official title: Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty.
What it does
HB1524 prohibits carrying so-called 'assault firearms' in public areas, establishes specified exceptions, and creates criminal penalties for violations. The bill was enacted as Acts of Assembly Chapter 1101 on April 22, 2026. The statute defines the prohibited conduct and lists circumstances in which carrying is permitted; consult the enacted text for the operative definitions and exceptions.
Industry impact
For retailers this law will likely require updated store policies, employee training, and on-premises signage to prevent prohibited public carry on business property and to advise customers about the new restriction. Manufacturers may need to adjust marketing and customer-facing materials for affected models and could see shift in consumer demand depending on how 'assault firearms' are defined. NFA/SOT holders and businesses should review the statute's definitions and exceptions to determine whether any registered firearms or regulated activities (transport, display at events, dealer transfers) are affected and update compliance procedures accordingly. The law changes permissible public use and transport rather than dealer licensing or federal regulatory obligations, so businesses should coordinate with counsel or state regulatory authorities for operational guidance.
Latest official status: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1101)
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Plain-English coverage generated with AI assistance and reviewed by our team. General information, not legal advice.