RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A bill that would regulate the way firearms are sold, delivered or transferred has narrowly advanced in the Virginia House of Delegates.
On Friday, Jan. 26, House Bill 158 was reported from the Public Safety committee on a 12 to 10 vote, entirely along party lines.
This bill, patroned by Del. Adele McClure, (D-Arlington), incorporated House Bill 12, patroned by Del. Michael Jones, (D-Richmond), as the bills were identical.
“As a responsible gun owner, I believe we must work together to stem the gun violence epidemic,” McClure said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “HB 158 would require that any firearm sold or transferred comes with a locking device, which will reduce the likelihood of tragic and preventable incidents.”
According to the bill’s text, licensed firearm manufacturers, importers or dealers would be required to have a locking device on all firearms they sell, deliver or transfer, unless they are doing so with another manufacturer, importer or dealer.
Additionally, the bill states a warning in “conspicuous and legible” capital letters would be required both printed on a label attached to the firearm and provided on a separate sheet of paper within the packaging. These labels must state that “firearms should be locked and kept away from children and that there may be a civil and criminal liability for failing to do so.”
Failure to do so would result in a Class 1 misdemeanor, should this legislation become a part of Virginia law.
These bills, alongside other bills related to gun safety currently moving their way through the General Assembly, would “help address this ongoing public health crisis,” according to McClure.
Jones emphasized in an X post about HB 12 that the child safety warnings would protect Virginia children from undue harm.
“Let’s prioritize safety and take the necessary steps to prevent accidents and tragedies,” Jones said. “Together, we can make our communities safer for everyone.
