Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4339
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-16: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-14T17:26:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2026 aims to reform federal firearms laws by imposing stricter controls on sales, transfers, and possession to prevent gun violence, including measures targeting high-risk individuals, minors, and certain weapons.
Key Provisions
Title I: Firearm Sales
- Universal background checks for private transfers (Sec. 101): Private sales or transfers must go through a licensed dealer for a background check; exceptions include family gifts, law enforcement, temporary loans for self-defense or hunting, and estate transfers.
- Handgun purchase limits (Sec. 102): Non-dealers limited to one handgun every 30 days; exceptions for law enforcement, collectors, and certified individuals.
- Ghost guns regulation (Sec. 103): Bans unserialized frames/receivers and undetectable firearms (must pass metal detector/X-ray tests).
- Assault weapons ban (Sec. 104): Defines "assault weapons" (e.g., semi-automatic rifles/pistols/shotguns with specific features like detachable magazines over 15 rounds, pistol grips); prohibits manufacture, sale, or possession; bans possession by those under 18 (with exceptions like supervised hunting).
Title II: Extreme Risk Protection Orders (Red Flag Laws)
- Grant program (Sec. 202): Funds for states, tribes, localities to implement orders.
- National standards (Sec. 203): Courts can issue orders (after hearing or ex parte for up to 30 days) to temporarily remove firearms from individuals posing a danger; requires surrender/storage; ensures due process and database reporting.
- Federal prohibition (Sec. 204): Subjects under valid orders become federally prohibited from possessing firearms.
- Full faith and credit (Sec. 205): Orders recognized across states/tribes.
Title III: Firearm Safety Requirements
- Lost/stolen reporting (Sec. 301): Must report within 48 hours to local law enforcement (civil penalty up to $250); agencies report to national database.
- Minor access (Sec. 302): Bans recklessly leaving loaded/unsecured firearms accessible to minors under 18 (up to 1 year prison).
- Stalkers/court orders (Sec. 303): Prohibits firearm possession by misdemeanor stalkers or those under protective orders; defines "misdemeanor crime of stalking."
- At-risk children (Sec. 304): Caregivers cannot willfully enable children (under 18) known to be violent risks to access firearms (up to 10 years prison); affirmative defenses apply.
Title IV: Domestic Violence Relinquishment
- Grant program (Sec. 402): Funds for states/tribes to enforce firearm surrender by those prohibited under domestic violence laws (e.g., protective orders).
- National standards (Sec. 403): Requires immediate surrender/removal upon qualifying order; secure storage until eligibility restored.
Title V: Other Firearms Matters
- Campus/mental health bans (Sec. 501): Prohibits firearms on college campuses and within 1,000 feet of mental health facilities (exceptions for licensed carriers, locked vehicles, law enforcement).
- Hate crimes (Sec. 502): Disqualifies those convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes (involving force/threats based on race/religion/etc.) from possessing firearms.
Most provisions effective 180 days to 1 year after enactment; authorizes appropriations for grants.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends 18 U.S.C. §§ 921, 922, 924 (Gun Control Act): Adds new prohibitions (e.g., assault weapons, stalkers, hate crimes, extreme risk orders), definitions, penalties (fines/prison up to 10 years), and reporting mandates.
- Introduces federal incentives (grant preferences) for states/tribes adopting red flag and relinquishment laws.
- Expands prohibited possessors (e.g., adds extreme risk orders, misdemeanor stalkers/hate crimes).
- No requirements for universal registration or dealer record-keeping of private transfers.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: DOJ (grants, regulations, NICS updates), law enforcement (firearm seizures, reporting), courts (new order processes) face increased workload/costs; states/tribes gain funding but must enact compliant laws.
- Citizens: Gun owners face transfer limits, reporting duties, possession bans in sensitive areas, and temporary removals for risks; protects potential victims (e.g., domestic violence, at-risk youth) by restricting high-risk access.
- No direct international relations impacts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Gun owners/sellers: Restricted transfers, sales limits, serialization rules.
- Law enforcement/courts: New enforcement/training duties, grant access.
- States/Indian Tribes/localities: Eligibility for grants tied to law adoption.
- Minors/at-risk individuals: Reduced access to firearms.
- Victims of violence/stalking/domestic abuse: Enhanced protections via orders/relinquishment.
- Institutions (colleges, mental health facilities): Gun-free zones.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Emphasizes due process (hearings, notice) for orders; civil penalties for minor violations; integrates with NICS for background checks.
- Constitutional: Expands "prohibited persons" under 2nd Amendment; potential challenges on assault weapon bans, red flag laws (seizures without crime), campus restrictions (balancing rights vs. safety).
- Political: Promotes state-federal partnership via grants; focuses on prevention over punishment, but may spark debates on gun rights vs. public safety.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-16: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-04-16: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-16 — PDF (53 pages)