Bill > HB926

This bill allows counties to pass ordinances that prohibit the outdoor shooting of firearms unless specific conditions are met, aiming to increase safety and prevent projectiles from leaving a property. Specifically, a county can ban outdoor firearm shooting unless it occurs on land of at least five acres and is done with "reasonable care" to ensure bullets do not cross property lines. The bill defines "reasonable care" to include shooting into a berm or backstop at least 10 feet from a property line. Furthermore, if a firearm is discharged across or over someone else's property without their written permission, it will be presumed that reasonable care was not taken. Violations of such an ordinance would be considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious type of misdemeanor in Virginia, carrying potential penalties of jail time and fines. The bill also includes definitions for terms like "arrow," "backstop," "berm," and "bow" to clarify the scope of existing and proposed regulations.

Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB926