(SB1048)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 1048, which would have required school boards to notify parents regarding the safe storage of firearms and prescription drugs.

As I stated last year, this proposal is unnecessary for responsible parents and ineffective in persuading the irresponsible. Furthermore, I do not believe it is the responsibility of a school district or school administrator to lecture parents on responsibilities of safe gun or prescription drug storage.

I have spoken with leaders at the largest gun retailers in Virginia and they have voluntarily agreed to place signage in their stores and include information about safe storage for all firearms sold at their facilities beginning July 1, 2025. Combined, these retailers sell most of the guns purchased in the Commonwealth. A copy of the draft sign is included below.

This bill has a narrow focus on two parental responsibilities, which apply to a subset of parents, omitting other legal obligations, like providing an environment free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This relegates such a duty to second-tier status choosing to highlight these two specific responsibilities of parents over all others.

Furthermore, the General Assembly failed to adopt my amendments, which included the addition of Sage's Law, an important bill that allows parents to be informed of the decisions relating to the mental health of their child. Sage's Law, much like many other common-sense bills that were patroned by Republicans, was not heard in committee during the 2025 legislative session.

Current law already prohibits leaving loaded, unsecured firearms accessible to children under 14 and mandates adult supervision for children under 12 handling firearms. Violations carry serious penalties, including up to 12 months in jail or a $2,500 fine. Safe storage practices—such as locking unloaded firearms, storing ammunition separately, and supervising children—are essential to protecting our families.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.