Virginia Bill Would Open Gun Shops to Lawsuits

A bill sitting on Governor Abigail Spanberger's desk would strip firearms dealers and manufacturers in Virginia of the liability protections that currently shield them from lawsuits when legally sold guns are later used in crimes. House Bill 21, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly, would subject the firearms industry to the same civil liability standards as any other business in the state.

What the Bill Does

HB 21 removes the state-level liability shield for gun manufacturers and dealers. Under current law, firearms businesses are generally protected from lawsuits arising from the criminal misuse of their products by third parties. The bill's supporters, including Del. Daniel Helmer (D-Fairfax), frame the change as a matter of equal treatment. Helmer told WSET that the bill ensures "gun manufacturers and dealers are treated under the same liability laws as every other industry in Virginia."

This follows a pattern we've seen in other states. Maryland passed a similar Gun Industry Accountability Act that the NSSF immediately moved to block in court. At the federal level, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) still provides some baseline protection, but state-level carve-outs like HB 21 are designed to create litigation pathways that the federal law does not fully preempt.

Dealers and Law Enforcement Push Back

The opposition from Virginia's gun shops and rural law enforcement has been direct. Mark Moorefield, owner of L&M Firearms, told WSET the bill could put him out of business. "It could potentially shut me down off one lawsuit," Moorefield said, adding that the chain-of-custody problem is real: If he sells a gun to a lawful buyer who later resells it privately, he could still face liability. "I could be liable for that third person."

Two Virginia sheriffs went on the record against the bill. Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said, "I do not believe that will help reduce gun violence," and warned that fewer retailers would mean fewer licensed dealers in rural communities. Bedford County Sheriff Mike Miller pointed out that firearms used in crimes typically come from illegal channels, not licensed shops. "It's typically from the black market from the illegal purchase of that gun," Miller said. "Another bill onto the law-abiding gun shop dealers is not going to stop that person."

What Happens Next

The bill is now awaiting Governor Spanberger's signature or veto. Spanberger has not publicly stated her position on HB 21. Virginia's legislative session has already produced a wave of firearms legislation this year, including an assault firearms ban that also reached the governor's desk.

For gun owners and dealers in the Commonwealth, HB 21 represents a significant shift in the legal landscape. If signed, it would make Virginia one of a growing number of states chipping away at the liability protections the firearms industry has relied on for decades. The practical effect could be felt most in smaller shops and rural areas, where the cost of defending even a single lawsuit could be enough to close the doors. This is a bill worth watching, and Virginia's recent track record on firearms legislation suggests the fight is far from over.