(HB2064)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 2064, which creates a Class 3 misdemeanor for firearms manufacturers, importers, or dealers who sell, deliver, or transfer a firearm without a locking device.

Currently, there are several federal regulations regarding the sale, transport, or transfer of a firearm. The Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 mandates all licensed firearm importers, manufactures, or dealers to provide a secure gun storage or safety device with any handgun transaction. In 2022, The Department of Justice announced that federal firearms licensees that sell firearms to the general public (non-licensees) must certify that they have available secure gun storage or safety devices.

Moreover, Virginia has implemented several initiatives to incentivize proper firearm storage such as tax credits for the purchase of any firearm safety device. Ensuring that Virginia promotes safe gun ownership and practices is vital to building safer communities and protecting children. However, this legislation would make firearms sales in Virginia operate in a different manner than neighboring states, potentially causing manufacturers to stop selling certain firearms in Virginia.

Furthermore, including a locking device and warning is a practice that many firearms manufacturers already partake in. Requiring these provisions will most likely add an unaccounted cost for firearm manufacturers that will be passed down to consumers, further excluding who can afford to defend themselves by purchasing a firearm.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.