Firearms Subcommittee

Thursday, February 26, 2026·25m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Virginia House Firearms Subcommittee advanced two gun-related Senate bills, voting 6-3 to report SB 643 — which restricts firearm possession by those under 18 and purchases by those under 21 — as a substitute conformed to HB 1525, and voting 7-3 to report SB 115 — which restores standards-based concealed handgun permit reciprocity — with amendments and a referral to the Committee of Appropriations.

Key Actions

·SB 643 – Firearm Possession/Transportation by Minors; PenaltyPassed

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Controversies

Whether concealed carry is a constitutional right or a regulated privilege

Andrew Goddard of the Virginia Center for Public Safety argued 'the carrying of concealed handguns is not a right. It is a regulated privilege,' while James Hemmings, a Fairfax resident, directly rebutted that position by citing the 'Brewin Heller decision' and arguing carrying is a constitutional right with no historical tradition of restriction across state lines. Mr. Wren similarly stated 'the right to carry is a right. It is not a privilege,' citing his own successful lawsuit against the Washington, D.C. government.

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Notable Quotes

“This bill, and it will need to go to Appropriations. Okay. Thank you. I'm sorry. Thank you. Oh, you're fine. Any other questions? Seeing none, we'll move to the members of. In the public that wish to speak in support of the bill and we will put three minutes on the clock. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, My name is Laurie Haas. I work at the center for Gun Violence Solutions. This is a good bill. We know that there are many states across the country that have virtually no restrictions on who can apply for and qualify for a concealed handgun permit. Some states in Virginia, we prohibit persons”
Philip Van Cleeve, VCDL — Van Cleeve testified in opposition to SB 115, which would limit Virginia's recognition of out-of-state concealed handgun permits to states meeting Virginia's standards, arguing the current broad reciprocity law was itself a bipartisan achievement.

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Votes

Report SB 643 with substitute conformed to HB 1525Passed

Adopt three line amendments to SB 115 changing enactment datesNo Vote

Report SB 115 as amended and refer to Committee of AppropriationsPassed

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TranscriptPreview

Subcommittee on Firearms will come to order and we will go at ease. Firearms will come to order. First, we're going to start by taking attendance. Madam Clerk, if you can open the row. And a quorum is present, we're first going to start with SB115. We know the senators are not here, but we have heard some similar bills before for SB643 and SB115. We will allow debate on from the public input on SB 115, but we will not on SB 643. Since we did hear we had debate on HB 1525 by Delegate McGuire and it is the similar bill, the cognate. So that being said, SB115, we are going to have it presented by Delegate Helmer and then we will move to members of the public to give testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senate Bill 643 is similar to House Bill 1525, the possession or transportation of certain firearms by certain persons penalty. It prohibits any person younger than 18 years of age from knowingly intentionally possessing or transporting a handgun or assault firearm within the Commonwealth. The bill also prohibits any person younger than 21 years of age with certain exceptions outlined the bill. Purchasing…

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