Virginia enacts ban on assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices (HB217, CHAP1106)
State bill HB217 — Virginia — status: enacted
Official title: Assault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties.
In effect — in effect since July 1, 2026
What it does
HB217 prohibits the purchase, sale, and transfer of defined "assault firearms" and certain ammunition feeding devices and establishes criminal penalties for violations. The bill was enacted as Acts of Assembly Chapter 1106, with the chapter text filed May 14, 2026.
Industry impact
If implemented, retailers and manufacturers operating in Virginia will need to stop offering models and feeding devices covered by the statutory definitions, update inventory controls and sales policies, and adjust advertising and merchandising to avoid offering banned items. Secondary-market sellers and private-transfer channels within the state are likely to face new restrictions; businesses should review the law's transition and grandfathering provisions to determine how existing stock may be handled. NFA/SOT holders may be affected only if the statute expressly covers NFA-class items or imposes additional intrastate transfer limits, so affected parties should examine the enacted chapter text for carve-outs and compliance timelines.
Latest official status: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1106)
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