Restoration of right to possess, etc., a firearm. Provides that a person convicted of a felony, other than a violent felony, whose civil rights have been restored is not required to petition a circuit court for an order to possess, transport, or carry a firearm, ammunition for a firearm, or a stun weapon. The bill provides that such person's right to possess, transport, or carry such items is automatically restored upon the restoration of his civil rights. The bill has an effective date of January 1, 2019, contingent upon voter approval of amendments to Article II, Section 1 and Article V, Section 12 of the Constitution of Virginia at the November 2018 general election.

Carrying a switchblade knife; exception. Authorizes any person to carry a switchblade knife concealed when such knife is carried for the purpose of engaging in a lawful profession or recreational activity the performance of which is aided by the use of a switchblade knife. The bill removes switchblade knives from the list of weapons the selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing of which is a Class 4 misdemeanor.

Renewal of concealed handgun permits; notice. Requires the clerk of the court that issued a concealed handgun permit to notify the permit holder, at least 120 days but no more than 180 days prior to the expiration date, of the expiration date of the permit and the requirements for renewing the permit. The bill provides that such notice may be sent to the permit holder's address or, upon request of the permit holder, email or other electronic address. The bill provides further that any failure to send or receive such notice does not extend the validity of the existing permit beyond its expiration date.

Prohibited public carrying of certain firearms; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of a loaded shotgun or rifle in places open to the public in certain cities and counties. Current law prohibits the carrying in such locations of certain loaded firearms with high capacity magazines, silencers, folding stock, or long ammunition or a loaded shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered. The bill adds the City of Roanoke to the list of cities in which the carrying of such firearms is prohibited.

Purchase of handguns; limitation on handgun purchases; penalty. Prohibits any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period and establishes such an offense as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts from this provision (i) persons who have been issued a certificate by the Department of State Police under certain circumstances and with an enhanced background check, (ii) law-enforcement agencies and officers, (iii) state and local correctional facilities, (iv) licensed private security companies, (v) persons who hold a valid Virginia concealed handgun permit, (vi) persons whose handgun has been stolen or irretrievably lost or who are trading in a handgun, (vii) purchases of handguns in a private sale, and (viii) purchases of antique firearms.

Restoration of firearms rights; report to State Police. Provides a mechanism for reporting to the Department of State Police when a circuit court restores a felon's right to possess, transport, and carry a firearm, ammunition for a firearm, or a stun weapon. The bill provides that if a court enters an order restoring a felon's right, the order shall contain the felon's name and date of birth and the clerk of the court shall certify and forward the restoration order to the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). The bill provides that the Department of State Police, upon receipt of the restoration order, shall enter the felon's name and description in the CCRE so that law-enforcement personnel accessing the CCRE will be aware of the order's existence.

Transfer of firearms; criminal history record information check; penalties. Requires that a criminal history record information check be performed on the prospective transferee before a vendor may transfer firearms at a gun show. A violation is a Class 6 felony. A definition of "vendor" is added. The bill also requires that the promoter of a firearms show post notice of the requirement for a criminal history record information check and provide vendors with access to licensed dealers who will conduct the criminal history record information check. The bill repeals a provision added by the 2016 Session of the General Assembly that requires the Department of State Police to be available to perform background checks for non-dealer sales at firearms shows if requested by a party involved in a transaction.

Possession of firearms; shared residence. Exempts a person prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction from such prohibition if he is in constructive possession of a firearm owned by another person by virtue of sharing a residence with such other person who lawfully possesses a firearm, provided that he is not in actual possession of the firearm.

Carrying concealed handguns; protective orders. Authorizes any person 21 years of age or older who is not prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm and is protected by an unexpired protective order to carry a concealed handgun for 45 days after the protective order was issued. The bill provides that if the person issued the protective order applies for a concealed handgun permit during such 45-day period, such person will be authorized to carry a concealed handgun for an additional 45 days and be given a copy of the certified application, which shall serve as a de facto concealed handgun permit. The bill requires such person to have the order or certified application and photo identification on his person when carrying a concealed handgun and to display them upon demand by a law-enforcement officer; failure to do so is punishable by a $25 civil penalty.

Firearms; access by children; penalty. Provides that it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly authorize a child age four or younger to use a firearm or pneumatic gun.

Disqualification for a concealed handgun permit; persons under 21 driving after illegally consuming alcohol. Disqualifies a person convicted or adjudicated delinquent of driving after illegally consuming alcohol as a person under the age of 21 or adjudicated delinquent of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated within the three-year period immediately preceding the application from obtaining a concealed handgun permit. Current law disqualifies persons convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated within the three-year period immediately preceding the application from obtaining a concealed handgun permit.

Protective orders; possession of firearms; felony. Provides that it is a Class 6 felony for a person who is subject to a permanent protective order (i.e., a protective order with a maximum duration of two years) for subjecting another person to an act of violence, force, or threat to possess a firearm while the order is in effect, which is equivalent to the existing penalty for possession of a firearm by a person subject to a permanent protective order for family abuse. The bill also provides that such person may continue to possess and transport a firearm for 24 hours after being served with the order for the purposes of selling or transferring the firearm to another person. The bill also requires that any person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he is subject to a permanent protective order certify in writing to the clerk of the court that issued the order within 48 hours after being served with the order that any firearm in his possession has been sold or transferred.

Localities; regulation of firearms in government buildings. Allows localities to regulate the possession of firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof in, or the carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof into, any building owned or used by such locality for governmental purposes. Current law prohibits localities from adopting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, or motion regarding firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof unless expressly authorized by statute.

Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks; penalty. Requires a background check for any firearm transfer and requires the Department of State Police to establish a process for transferors to obtain such a check from licensed firearms dealers. A transferor who fails to obtain a required background check and sells the firearm to another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts transfers between immediate family members, transfers that occur by operation of law, transfers by the executor or administrator of an estate or by the trustee of a testamentary trust, and temporary transfers that occur in the presence of the owner of the firearm or are necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury. The bill removes the provision that makes background checks of prospective purchasers or transferees at firearms shows voluntary.

Firearm transfers; criminal history record information checks; penalty. Requires a background check for any firearm transfer and requires the Department of State Police to establish a process for transferors to obtain such a check from licensed firearms dealers. A transferor who fails to obtain a required background check and sells the firearm to another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill exempts transfers between immediate family members, transfers that occur by operation of law, transfers by the executor or administrator of an estate or by the trustee of a testamentary trust, and temporary transfers that (i) occur within the continuous presence of the owner of the firearm; (ii) are necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury; (iii) occur at a shooting range, shooting gallery, or other area designed for the purpose of target shooting, for use during target practice, a firearms safety or training course or class, a shooting competition, or any similar lawful activity; or (iv) are for the purpose of and while the transferee is engaged in hunting, trapping, or target shooting. The bill removes the provision that makes background checks of prospective purchasers or transferees at firearms shows voluntary.

Concealed handgun permits; age requirement for persons on active military duty. Allows a person at least 18 years of age but less than 21 years of age to apply for a concealed handgun permit if he is on active military duty. The bill allows a nonresident at least 18 and years of age but less than 21 years of age who holds a concealed handgun or weapons permit recognized in the Commonwealth to carry a concealed handgun within the Commonwealth if he is on active military duty. Current law requires that persons be at least 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun.

Retail establishments and restaurants; posting of signs relating to firearms policy. Provides that if a retail establishment or restaurant has a policy of carrying firearms onto the premises, the proprietor or other person in charge of the retail establishment or restaurant must post in an appropriate place, in a clear, conspicuous, and sufficient manner, a "Firearms Permitted" sign. The bill imposes a civil penalty of not more than $25 for failure to post such signs, to be paid into the Literary Fund.

Application for a concealed handgun permit; photo identification. Requires applicants for a concealed handgun permit to present one form of government-issued photo identification that demonstrates that the applicant is a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

Firearm transactions; voluntary background checks; clarification. Clarifies the provisions that apply to voluntary background checks performed at a firearms show by translating the Latin term of art mutatis mutandis into English.

Reporting lost or stolen firearms. Requires a person who lawfully possesses a firearm to report the loss or theft of the firearm to any local law-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police within 24 hours after such person discovers the loss or theft or is informed by a person with personal knowledge of the loss or theft. The bill requires the relevant law-enforcement agency to enter the report information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). A violation is punishable by a $50 civil penalty for a first offense and a civil penalty of not less than $100 or more than $250 for any subsequent offense. The bill provides that a person who, in good faith, reports the loss or theft is immune from criminal or civil liability for acts or omissions that result from such loss or theft; the immunity does not apply to a person who knowingly gives a false report. The bill does not apply to the loss or theft of an antique firearm.

Concealed handgun permit fees; exemptions; retired probation and parole officers. Exempts retired probation and parole officers who have completed 15 years of service from concealed handgun permit application fees.

Concealed handgun permit; Workers' Compensation commissioner or deputy commissioner exempt. Provides that a commissioner or deputy commissioner of the Workers' Compensation Commission may carry a concealed handgun throughout the Commonwealth without a permit.

Muzzleloader firearms; definition. Incorporates the Virginia criminal law definition of a muzzleloader into the current statutory definitions of muzzleloading pistol, muzzleloading rifle, and muzzleloading shotgun located in the Game and Inland Fisheries Title.

Concealed handgun permits; sharing of information. Prohibits sharing of information regarding Virginia concealed handgun permits in the Virginia Criminal Information Network with law enforcement in states that do not recognize a Virginia concealed handgun permit as valid in the state. The bill requires the Department of State Police to maintain and publish online a list of states that recognize a Virginia concealed handgun permit as valid in the state. The bill does not create a private cause of action.

Firearms; administration of machine gun registry, nonresident concealed handgun permits, and criminal history record checks. Requires any person registered to possess a machine gun to notify the Department of State Police (the Department) of a change of address within 30 days of such change. The bill reduces the number of photographs that an applicant for a nonresident concealed handgun permit must submit from two to one. The bill requires the form provided by the Department for a dealer to obtain criminal history record information for a firearm purchase to include a question about whether the proposed purchaser has been the subject of a temporary detention order and subsequently agreed to voluntary admission to a state facility. Current law prohibits such persons from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm and provides that other mental health disqualifications be disclosed on such form. The bill requires firearms dealers to comply with the federal minimum wait time of three days after contacting the system for a background check before releasing a firearm without an approval number; under existing state law, such firearm must be released after one business day without an approval number. The bill removes the option under state law for a dealer to complete a sale if notified that a response will not be available by the end of the dealer's next business day and removes the requirement that the Department notify the dealer of such delay. The bill removes the requirement that the dealer mail the criminal history record check consent form for a person who is not a resident of Virginia to the Department.

Firearms; access by children; penalty. Provides that it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly authorize a child age four or younger to use or handle a firearm.

Carrying concealed weapons; exemption for nonduty status active military personnel. Provides that an active duty member of the Virginia National Guard, Armed Forces of the United States, or Armed Forces Reserves of the United States in a nonduty status may carry a concealed weapon wherever such member may travel in the Commonwealth.

Victims of domestic violence, etc.; firearms safety or training course. Provides that the Department of Criminal Justice Services may distribute funds from the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund to reimburse an entity that offers a firearms safety or training course or class approved by the Department free of charge to victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking, and family abuse. The bill also requires that, upon the issuance of a protective order, the petitioner for the order be provided with a list of such approved courses or classes.

Carrying concealed weapons; exemption for nonduty status active military personnel. Provides that an active duty member of the Virginia National Guard, Armed Forces of the United States, or Armed Forces Reserves of the United States in a nonduty status may carry a concealed weapon wherever such member may travel in the Commonwealth.

Firearm transfers; penalties. Creates a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person who is not a licensed dealer to sell, rent, trade, or transfer a firearm to any other person who is not a licensed dealer. The bill also creates a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person who is not a licensed dealer to buy,rent, trade, or transfer a firearm from any other person who is not a licensed dealer. The bill exempts certain transfers, such as between immediate family members, by operation of law, at a firearms show with a voluntary background check, and when the transfer is temporary and is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm or occurs while in the continuous presence of the owner of the firearm.

Firearms; removal from persons posing substantial risk; penalties. Creates a procedure by which an attorney for the Commonwealth or law-enforcement officer may apply to a circuit court judge for a warrant to remove firearms from a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to himself or others. If firearms are seized pursuant to such warrant, the bill requires a court hearing within 14 days from execution of the warrant to determine whether the firearms should be returned or retained by law enforcement. Seized firearms may be retained by court order for up to 180 days or, with court approval, may be transferred to a third party chosen by the person from whom they were seized. Persons who have been served with a warrant to remove firearms until such warrant has been dissolved by a court or who are the subject of an order to retain firearms are disqualified from having a concealed handgun permit or purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer and may not be employed by a licensed firearms dealer. The bill also provides that a person who transfers a firearm to a person he knows has been served with a warrant or who is the subject of an order is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

Possession of concealed handguns; concealed handgun permit holders at public institutions of higher education. Allows any firefighter, person employed as search and rescue personnel, person employed as emergency medical services personnel, certified campus security officer, or student, employee, contractor, vendor, or faculty member of a public institution of higher education that participates in a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program who possesses a valid Virginia concealed handgun permit or a concealed handgun permit from another state that is recognized by Virginia to carry a concealed handgun on the property of, in buildings owned by, or at events hosted at public institutions of higher education.

Dangerous weapons; place of religious worship. Requires a person to have the express authorization of a place of religious worship to carry certain weapons to such place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held. Current law requires such person to have a good and sufficient reason to do so.

Retired conservation officers; carrying a concealed handgun. Adds retired conservation officers from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to the list of retired law-enforcement officers who are exempt from the prohibition on carrying a concealed handgun. Such officers who annually meet the training and qualification standards for active law-enforcement officers are authorized to carry concealed handguns in airports and schools and are deemed to have been issued a concealed handgun permit.

Study; Virginia State Crime Commission; firearm registration; report. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study the feasibility and costs of establishing a firearm registration program for firearms purchased in the Commonwealth, along with the potential efficacy of firearm registration in reducing firearm-related deaths and injuries.