SB 38 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Firearms; transfers to another person from a prohibited person.

Summary
Firearm transfers to another person from a prohibited person. Provides that a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm because the person is subject to a protective order or has been convicted of an assault and battery of a family or household member may transfer a firearm owned by the prohibited person to any person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm, provided that the person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing such firearm is 21 years of age or older and does not reside with the person who is subject to the protective order. Under current law, there is no requirement that a transferee cannot be younger than 21 years of age and cannot reside with the prohibited person. The bill also provides that the prohibited person who transfers, sells, or surrenders a firearm pursuant to the provisions of the bill shall inform the clerk of the court of the name, address, and signature of the transferee, federally licensed firearms dealer, or law-enforcement agency in possession of the firearm and shall provide a copy of the form to the transferee. The bill also provides that a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm because the person is subject to a protective order or has been convicted of an assault and battery of a family or household member shall be advised that a law-enforcement officer may obtain a search warrant to search for any firearms from the person if the law-enforcement officer has probable cause. This bill is identical to HB 93.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Nov 19, 2025 Signed Apr 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill has been formally enacted and assigned as Chapter 534 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive text of the law regarding firearm restrictions for individuals under protective orders or convicted of domestic assault remains unchanged, but the document now includes official approval dates and pagination.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; this is a procedural update marking the transition from draft to final law.
TECHNICAL

Added official chapter number (Chapter 534) and approval date (April 10, 2026) to the header.

Inserted pagination markers (e.g., '2 of 3') to indicate the document's length.

Adjusted line breaks and spacing to convert the draft format into the standard final legislative format.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 5, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 5, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
12
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Apr 10, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 534 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB38ER)
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Public Safety (13-Y 7-N)
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee amendments offered
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)
upper
Nov 19, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Barbara Favola
Barbara Favola
DDemocratic
VA
40