Before the 2020 reforms took place, Virginia was characterized by the following regulations:
: Closing the loophole for private sales.
: Requiring owners to report lost or stolen guns within 48 hours. virginia gun laws 2019
: Law-abiding citizens could legally carry a firearm openly without a permit.
: Background checks were only required for sales through licensed dealers. Private sales between individuals did not require a background check or registration. Before the 2020 reforms took place, Virginia was
: Local governments had limited authority to regulate firearms in public spaces or government buildings. The 2019 Turning Point
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: : Background checks were only required for sales
: Virginia was a "shall-issue" state, meaning authorities had to issue a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) to any applicant who met the legal criteria.