2026 Regular Session — On Governor's Desk

Your Legal Rifle Becomes a Criminal Charge Overnight

Virginia SB727 expands the assault firearm carry ban statewide, removes the "loaded" requirement, and offers zero grandfather clause. If signed, there is no registration path and no compliance option.

SB727 § 18.2-287.4 Class 1 Misdemeanor Patron: Jones (D)
Threat Level CRITICAL
Governor must act by April 13 —

The Scope of SB727

The bill redefines what qualifies as an "assault firearm" and bans carrying any of the following in any public place in Virginia — loaded or unloaded. Here's how each firearm type is classified.

🌏
Statewide — Loaded or Not

Previous law only applied to 13 specific localities (Alexandria, Richmond, Fairfax, etc.) and only to loaded firearms. SB727 removes both limitations — it applies to every public street, sidewalk, park, and right-of-way in the entire Commonwealth, regardless of whether the firearm is loaded.

From 13 cities → entire Commonwealth

Semi-Auto Center-Fire Rifles (Detachable Magazine)

A semi-automatic center-fire rifle with a detachable magazine that also has any one of the following features:

Folding / Telescoping / Collapsible Stock

Any stock that folds, telescopes, or collapses. This covers the majority of modern AR-platform rifles and many tactical-style rifles on the market today.

Thumbhole Stock or Pistol Grip

A thumbhole stock or any pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon. This includes most ergonomic grips designed for comfortable shooting.

Second Handgrip / Forward Grip

A second handgrip or protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand. Vertical foregrips and angled grips both qualify under this definition.

Threaded Barrel

A threaded barrel capable of accepting a sound suppressor, flash suppressor, muzzle brake, or muzzle compensator. Most modern sporting rifles ship from the factory with threaded barrels as a standard feature.

Most common trigger feature

Also includes: grenade launchers

The bill explicitly lists grenade launchers as a qualifying feature. While uncommon on civilian rifles, this broadens the statutory definition.

Semi-Auto Center-Fire Rifles (Fixed Magazine or Suppressor-Ready)

A semi-automatic center-fire rifle qualifies as an assault firearm if it meets any one of these criteria — no detachable magazine required:

🔒
Magazine Over 20 Rounds

Any magazine with a capacity exceeding 20 rounds — whether fixed or detachable. If your rifle can accept a magazine this size, it qualifies.

🔒
Designed to Accept a Suppressor

Any rifle designed to accept a silencer or sound suppressor. This captures rifles that were manufactured or marketed with suppressor compatibility, even if one was never attached.

🔒
Folding Stock + Fixed Magazine Over 10

A rifle equipped with a folding stock and a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds. This combination alone is sufficient — no other features required.

Semi-Auto Center-Fire Pistols

A semi-automatic center-fire pistol with a detachable magazine that also has any one of the following features:

🔨
Second Handgrip / Forward Grip

A second handgrip or protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand. Any aftermarket grip accessory on a pistol platform qualifies.

🔨
Magazine Outside the Grip

A magazine that attaches to the pistol at a point outside of the pistol grip. This covers certain unconventional pistol configurations.

🔨
Barrel Shroud

A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned.

🔨
Threaded Barrel

A threaded barrel capable of accepting a sound suppressor, flash suppressor, barrel extender, or forward handgrip.

⚠ Buffer Tube / Arm Brace (Key Expansion)

The bill explicitly includes "a buffer tube, an arm brace, or any other part that protrudes horizontally behind the pistol grip and is designed or redesigned to allow or facilitate a firearm to be fired from the shoulder." This captures the vast majority of AR-platform pistols currently on the market, including those with stabilizing braces that were previously considered distinct from rifles.

This is the provision most pistol owners will trip on

Shotguns

Two separate paths make a shotgun an "assault firearm" under SB727:

Path A: Semi-Auto Shotgun + Any One Feature

💣
Folding / Telescoping / Collapsible Stock

Any semi-auto shotgun with a stock that folds, telescopes, or collapses qualifies as an assault firearm.

💣
Thumbhole Stock or Pistol Grip

A thumbhole stock or pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the shotgun.

💣
Detachable Magazine Capability

Any semi-auto shotgun with the ability to accept a detachable magazine, regardless of the magazine's capacity.

💣
Fixed Magazine Over 7 Rounds / Revolving Cylinder

A semi-auto shotgun with a fixed magazine exceeding 7 rounds, or one with a revolving cylinder.

Path B: Any Shotgun With 7+ Round Magazine

💣
Any Shotgun — Magazine Over 7 Rounds

This is not limited to semi-autos. Any shotgun — pump-action, lever-action, or otherwise — with a magazine holding more than 7 rounds qualifies as an assault firearm. No additional features required.

Pump-action shotguns can qualify

Belt-Fed Firearms & Modifications

Belt Ammunition Feeding Device

Any firearm equipped with a belt ammunition feeding device is classified as an assault firearm, regardless of other features.

"Modified to Function As"

Any firearm that has been modified to function as one of the above classifications. The definition follows the current configuration — not what you originally purchased. Add a pistol grip to a standard rifle after the fact? It now qualifies.

"Designed or redesigned" language

What You're Facing

Each violation is a Class 1 Misdemeanor — Virginia's most serious misdemeanor classification.

12

Months in Jail

Up to 12 months in jail per offense. Simply carrying an unloaded rifle with a threaded barrel down a public sidewalk is enough to trigger prosecution.

$2,500

Maximum Fine

Up to $2,500 per offense, in addition to or instead of jail time. The court has discretion to impose both.

0

Compliance Options

No registration path. No grandfather clause. No phase-in period. Unlike California, New York, and Massachusetts, Virginia's bill offers no mechanism to keep legally owned firearms legal.

Know a gun owner in Virginia?

Send them this page before April 13.

Copied to clipboard!

No Grandfather Clause — By Design

Other states with assault weapon bans gave existing owners a path: register what you have and keep it legally. Virginia didn't.

Here's What That Means

If you legally purchased an AR-15 in Virginia last month, and Governor Spanberger signs SB727, carrying that same rifle to a public range means you've committed a Class 1 Misdemeanor. There's no form to file, no deadline to register, no exemption for existing owners. The bill doesn't distinguish between someone who bought their rifle yesterday and someone who's owned one for twenty years. The day it takes effect, the only legal move is to leave it at home — permanently, as far as public spaces are concerned.

The Threaded Barrel Trap

Most modern sporting rifles ship from the factory with a threaded barrel — it's a standard manufacturing feature. Under SB727, a semi-auto center-fire rifle with a detachable magazine and a threaded barrel "capable of accepting a sound suppressor, flash suppressor, muzzle brake, or muzzle compensator" is an "assault firearm." In practice, that's what threaded barrels are designed to accept. Many gun owners don't even realize their off-the-shelf rifle has this qualifying feature.

The Details That Bury You

"Loaded" Requirement — Gone

Previous Virginia law (the existing § 18.2-287.4) only applied to loaded assault firearms. SB727 removes the word "loaded" entirely. An unloaded, cased rifle in a bag on your shoulder qualifies.

Arm Braces Now = Assault Firearm

The bill explicitly includes "a buffer tube, an arm brace, or any other part that protrudes horizontally behind the pistol grip" as an assault firearm feature for pistols. This captures most AR-platform pistols on the market.

CHP Doesn't Protect You

A Concealed Handgun Permit does not exempt you from SB727's carry ban. The bill carves out exceptions for law enforcement, military, and security guards — not permit holders.

"Designed or Redesigned" Language

The bill covers firearms "modified to function as" assault firearms. Add a pistol grip to a standard rifle after purchase? It now qualifies. The definition follows the configuration, not the original sale.

How Virginia Stacks Up

Every other state with an assault weapon ban gave existing owners some kind of path. Virginia didn't.

Feature Virginia SB727 California New York Massachusetts
Grandfather Clause NONE YES YES YES
Registration Path NONE Available Available Limited
Loaded Requirement Removed N/A (Possession) N/A (Possession) N/A (Possession)
Scope Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide
Arm Brace Explicitly Named YES Unclear Unclear Unclear
Penalty (First Offense) Class 1 Misdemeanor Varies Varies Varies

Virginia is about to become the only state in America to ban carrying assault firearms statewide with no grandfather clause, no registration, and no way to comply — if the governor signs by April 13.

Spread the Word

Every Virginia gun owner needs to see this before April 13.

Copied to clipboard!
BF

Bearing Freedom

Bill breakdowns, court challenges, and legislative updates for Virginia gun owners. Subscribe to stay ahead of what Richmond is doing.

Subscribe