: Background checks were only required for sales through licensed dealers. Private sales between individuals did not require a background check or registration.
: Increasing the penalty for recklessly leaving loaded firearms accessible to children under 14. virginia gun laws 2019
In 2019, Virginia gun laws remained relatively permissive, but the year served as a critical turning point following a mass shooting in Virginia Beach in May 2019. While substantial legislative changes were debated in a special session that year, the most significant reforms did not officially pass until 2020 after a shift in the General Assembly's leadership. : Background checks were only required for sales
Following the Virginia Beach shooting, Governor Ralph Northam called for a special session to address gun violence. Although 2019 saw intense debate, the majority of proposed reforms were delayed until the 2020 legislative session, where the following measures were eventually signed into law: In 2019, Virginia gun laws remained relatively permissive,
: Establishing Extreme Risk Protective Orders (ERPOs) to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others.
: Law-abiding citizens could legally carry a firearm openly without a permit.
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