Handguns in unattended motor vehicle; definitions, penalty.

The penalty for violating the storage rule changed from a Class 4 misdemeanor (criminal) to a civil penalty of up to $500.

A new provision was added stating that a vehicle violating this rule can be treated as illegally parked and subject to removal.

The definition of 'vehicle' was removed; the final law now applies only to unattended motor vehicles on public highways or property, excluding boats and other watercraft.

A specific definition for 'unattended motor vehicle' was added, clarifying that the owner or operator must be unable to observe the vehicle.

The storage requirement was simplified to prohibit leaving a handgun visible from the outside, removing the previous detailed list of acceptable locked containers.

The bill number changed from 18.2-308.7:1 to 46.2-1215.1, and the bill title was updated to reflect the new Motor Vehicle title location.

The requirement changed from a general prohibition on visible handguns to a specific mandate that handguns must be placed out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container to avoid a penalty.

The penalty for violating the storage rule changed from a civil fine of up to $500 to a Class 4 misdemeanor criminal offense.

A new definition of 'vehicle' was added to explicitly include boats and watercraft while excluding bicycles, scooters, and similar personal mobility devices.

New exemptions were added for law enforcement officers, antique firearm owners, people reporting a lost gun, and individuals with disabilities storing guns in locked soft-sided containers.

The provision directing collected penalties to the Literary Fund was removed because the penalty is now a criminal misdemeanor rather than a civil fine.

The bill text was updated to reflect its status as a Senate Substitute with a new bill number and the original House introduction date was removed.

The penalty changed from a civil penalty of up to $500 to a Class 4 misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense.

New requirements mandate that handguns must be placed in a locked hard-sided container or affixed to the vehicle interior to be considered compliant.

The definition of 'unattended vehicle' was broadened to include parking areas and commercial lots, and the definition of 'vehicle' was expanded to include boats while excluding devices like scooters and mopeds.

New exemptions were added for antique firearms, law enforcement officers, and persons reporting a lost or stolen firearm.

The provision directing civil penalty funds to the 'Literary Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund' was removed because the penalty is now criminal, not civil.