A Shot at Safety, Stopped Short: The Story of VA HB2064
In the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session, House Bill 2064 (HB2064) aimed to introduce a straightforward, yet potentially life-saving measure: requiring licensed firearm dealers to provide a locking device and a specific safety warning with every firearm sold or transferred. The goal, as stated in the bill's text, was clear: enhance firearm safety, particularly concerning children, by promoting secure storage. LegiEquity analysis projected this bill would have a significant positive impact (80% positive, High Confidence), especially benefiting children and women by reducing the risk of accidental shootings and suicides involving unsecured firearms.
However, despite navigating the legislative hurdles of both the House and Senate, HB2064's journey ended abruptly on March 24, 2025, with a veto from the Governor.
The Bill's Purpose and Provisions
Introduced by Delegate Adele McClure (D-HD-002), whose legislative effectiveness score sits at a capable 60.0, HB2064 sought to amend Virginia law to mandate that licensed firearm manufacturers, importers, and dealers provide a locking device suitable for the specific firearm being sold. Furthermore, the bill required a clear, conspicuous warning printed on a separate sheet within the packaging:
"FIREARMS SHOULD BE LOCKED AND KEPT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. THERE MAY BE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR FAILING TO DO SO."
Failure to comply would constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. The bill included standard exemptions for sales to law-enforcement agencies and other governmental bodies. The core provisions remained consistent from the introduced version to the final enrolled bill sent to the Governor.
This measure aligns with a growing national focus on Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws and safe storage practices. Research consistently links unsecured firearms in the home to increased risks of unintentional shootings, youth suicides, and firearms taken from homes and used in crimes. By requiring a lock at the point of sale, HB2064 aimed to establish a baseline safety standard for new firearm acquisitions.
A Contentious Path Through the Legislature
The bill's journey began on January 7, 2025, when it was prefiled and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety – a committee with significant influence (Power Score: 85.0). It was then assigned to the Firearms Subcommittee (Power Score: 55.0).
On January 23rd, the subcommittee recommended reporting the bill, but the vote was divided (5-Y 3-N). The following day, the full Public Safety Committee reported the bill on a similarly split vote (12-Y 10-N), signaling the partisan nature of the debate to come. This lack of bipartisan support (as flagged by LegiEquity) would characterize the bill's entire legislative trajectory.
After clearing procedural readings, HB2064 faced its first major floor test in the House of Delegates on January 30th. It passed, but by a narrow margin: 50 Yeas to 46 Nays. This vote count strongly suggests voting occurred primarily along party lines, with the Democratic majority pushing the measure through.
Upon reaching the Senate, the bill was referred to the powerful Committee for Courts of Justice (Power Score: 85.0) on January 31st. On February 12th, the committee reported the bill, again with a divided vote (9-Y 6-N). The tension culminated on February 18th when the full Senate voted. HB2064 passed by the slimmest possible margin: 20 Yeas to 19 Nays. Once again, the vote reflected the deep partisan divide on firearm regulations in the Virginia legislature.
Despite the contentious votes, the bill had successfully passed both chambers. It was enrolled on March 7th, signed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, and communicated to the Governor on March 11th.
The Governor's Veto
The final hurdle proved insurmountable. With a deadline of March 24th, the Governor exercised the veto power, effectively killing HB2064 for the session. While the specific reasons for the veto are not detailed in the provided metadata, such actions on firearm legislation often stem from concerns about Second Amendment rights, potential burdens on businesses, or beliefs that such mandates are ineffective or overreaching.
The veto overrides the legislative intent expressed through the narrow, party-line passage in both the House and Senate. It halts the implementation of a measure that LegiEquity assessed as having a high potential for positive impact, particularly in safeguarding children and women from firearm-related tragedies stemming from unsecured weapons.
Conclusion: A Setback for Mandated Safe Storage
The story of VA HB2064 is one of a targeted safety measure navigating a politically divided legislature only to be stopped at the executive level. Championed primarily by Democrats, including lead sponsor Del. McClure and numerous co-sponsors, the bill aimed to codify a basic safe-storage practice at the point of sale. Its passage through both chambers, albeit by narrow, partisan margins, indicated legislative support for the concept. However, the Governor's veto underscores the ongoing, deeply entrenched political conflict surrounding firearm regulation in Virginia and the nation. The defeat of HB2064 means that, for now, the requirement to provide locking devices with firearm sales will not become law in the Commonwealth, leaving the promotion of safe storage reliant on voluntary action and other existing regulations.
LegiEquity analyzes proposed legislation to determine its potential impact on various demographic groups. Our goal is to provide objective insights into how laws may affect different communities.
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