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Close vote: Senate passes secure-storage, unattended-vehicle firearm bill after split debate
Summary
The Senate narrowly approved House Bill 15-97, a three-part measure on firearm safety that requires secure storage when prohibited people or children are present, addresses firearms left in unattended vehicles, and funds public education; final vote 21-18.
The Virginia Senate voted 21-18 on Feb. 17 to pass House Bill 15-97 as amended, a measure combining locked-storage requirements, rules for firearms in unattended vehicles, and a public education component.
Senator Boysekum (Northern Fairfax) explained the amended measure on the floor. He said the bill's first portion mirrors the sponsor's earlier safe-storage proposal: it requires secure storage or a locking device when children or persons prohibited from possessing firearms are present. The second portion requires secure handling of firearms left in unattended vehicles. The third portion directs public education about the law's requirements.
On the floor, Senators debated the House and committee substitutes. Senator Boysekum moved to reject a Courts of Justice substitute and to accept the Finance and Appropriations substitute; the chamber agreed to adopt the Finance and Appropriations version before final passage. After the final debate the Senate passed the bill by roll call, recorded as Ayes 21, Noes 18.
Key bill elements noted on the floor: - Secure-storage requirement when children or prohibited people are present, akin to prior Senate safe-storage proposals. - Specific language addressing the safe handling or storage of firearms placed in unattended vehicles. - A public-education component to inform gun owners of the new duties under law.
The bill passed on a close vote in a divided chamber; senators opposing the measure raised concerns during debate that led the floor to consider competing substitutes before final passage. The senator who presented the bill described it as a composite of previously considered Senate proposals and a House-drafted component for vehicle storage and outreach.
The measure now advances per standard legislative processing (enrollment and transmittal to the other chamber or governor), subject to any subsequent procedural steps recorded after the floor vote.
Speakers on the record during this item included the bill’s floor sponsor and other senators who debated substitute language and procedural motions during third-reading consideration.
