04/20/2026
Buckle Up Butter Cups!!
🚨 VA Gun Law Deep Dive: HB 217 (H2 Substitute – What It REALLY Says)🚨
Status: Governor's Recommendation (still making its way through the House and has been submitted with revisions)
Summary: This substitute bill creates **new criminal penalties** and a **detailed legal definition of “assault firearm”**, while allowing limited exceptions and grandfathering.
🔴 Core Prohibition
It becomes a **Class 1 misdemeanor** to:
➡️ Import, sell, manufacture, purchase, or transfer an “assault firearm.”
🔴 3-Year Firearm Ban After Conviction
If convicted under this law:
➡️ You **cannot possess, purchase, or transport ANY firearm for 3 years**
➡️ After 3 years, rights are restored **unless another disqualifier exists**
🔴 Definition of “Assault Firearm” (KEY CHANGE)
This is where the bill has the biggest impact:
**Magazine Threshold:**
➡️ Semi-auto rifle OR pistol with **over 15 rounds = “assault firearm”**
🔴 Feature-Based Firearm Definitions
**Rifles:**
Semi-auto + detachable magazine + **ONE feature** = included
• Folding/telescoping stock
• Pistol grip or thumbhole stock
• Forward/second grip
• Threaded barrel (for muzzle devices/suppressors)
• Gr***de launcher
**Pistols:**
Semi-auto + **TWO features** = included
• Magazine outside the grip
• Threaded barrel
• Barrel shroud
• Second grip
• Brace/buffer tube allowing shoulder fire
**Shotguns:**
Included if they have:
• Folding/telescoping stock
• Detachable magazine
• More than 15-round capacity
• Or similar tactical features
**Also Included:**
• Shotguns with revolving cylinders
• Fi****ms that accept **belt-fed ammo**
• Fi****ms modified into the above configurations
🟢 What is NOT Included
• Antique fi****ms
• Permanently inoperable fi****ms
• Bolt-action, pump, lever, or slide-action fi****ms
🔴 Magazine Ban (UPDATED TO 15 ROUNDS)
Large capacity = **more than 15 rounds**
Illegal to **import, sell, transfer, or purchase**
➡️ Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor
🟢 Grandfathering + Allowed Actions
If you owned it **before July 1, 2026**, you generally can:
✔️ Keep it
✔️ Transfer to **immediate family** (spouse, kids, parents, siblings, grandparents)
✔️ Sell to a dealer (FFL)
✔️ Sell/transfer **out of state**
✔️ Leave it as an inheritance
✔️ Take it to a gunsmith / get it serviced
---
🔴 Who Is Exempt
• Military (under orders)
• Law enforcement
• Certain federal/contracted security personnel
• Licensed dealers (FFLs) for authorized transfers
🔥 What This Means for You:
**15 rounds is now the line**
➡️ Many standard magazines and common fi****ms fall into this category
This is NOT just a rifle bill
➡️ It directly impacts **handguns, AR-style platforms, and some shotguns**
You may **keep what you own**, BUT:
➡️ Your ability to **sell, transfer, or move it is heavily restricted**
Even a misdemeanor conviction =
➡️ **3-year total loss of firearm rights**
The definition is **feature-based**, meaning:
➡️ Small modifications can determine whether your firearm is legal or restricted.
