In 2021, Virginia enacted a strong package of strong gun safety laws, but there remains much more the state should do to protect its communities from gun violence.
This package of gun safety bills included universal background checks, an extreme risk protection law, stronger protections for victims of domestic violence, and meaningful investments in community violence intervention programs. In 2022, Virginia had the twenty-third lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 1,160 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every 8 hours. Sixty percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 38% are gun homicides. In Virginia, the rate of gun deaths increased 46% from 2013 to 2022, compared to a 36% increase nationwide.
What Virginia Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Some domestic violence laws
- Partial assault weapon restrictions
- Certain child access prevention laws
- Community violence intervention funding
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
- State database background checks
- Partial gun dealer regulation
What Virginia Is Missing
- Gun owner licensing
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Open carry regulations
- Bulk firearm purchase restrictions
- Ammunition sale regulations
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE VIRGINIA’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
SUPPORT GUN SAFETY
We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
