Virginia Lawmakers Push Vehicle Storage Mandates—With a Carveout for Themselves

Austin Reville
Mar 26
3 min read

Anti-gun lawmakers in Virginia are once again proving a frustrating pattern: pushing restrictive laws on everyday citizens—while trying to exempt themselves from those same rules. A recent proposal, HB110, highlights exactly why gun owners across the country are growing increasingly skeptical of so-called “commonsense” gun control.

What HB110 Would Do

The bill imposes new requirements on how firearms must be stored in private vehicles. Under HB110:

A handgun left in an unattended vehicle must be
- Out of plain view
- Stored in a locked, hard-sided container
- That container must be physically secured to the vehicle (cable, bolt, or welding)

Simply locking your vehicle is not enough. The definition of “unattended” is also extremely broad, including any situation where the owner:

Cannot directly observe the vehicle
Is parked in public areas or commercial lots

In practical terms, that means:

Stopping for gas
Running into a store
Using a restroom during travel

…could all trigger these requirements.

Punishing Victims, Not Criminals

Since being elected in 2024, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanbergber (D) has pushed one of the most aggressive Anti-2A regimes in the U.S.

Violating the law would result in a Class 4 misdemeanor, carrying fines up to $250. Here’s the real issue, this law is most likely to come into play after a firearm is stolen. Instead of focusing on the criminal who committed the theft, the law punishes the victim. It also places legal responsibility on law-abiding gun owners.

That’s backwards. At 2 If By Sea Tactical, we believe accountability belongs with those who break the law—not those who fall victim to it.

A Direct Burden on Law-Abiding Gun Owners

This bill doesn’t just affect storage—it impacts everyday carry and travel. It creates new hurdles for concealed carry holders who must disarm before entering restricted areas. Workers prohibited from carrying at their jobs. Hunters, sport shooters, and everyday travelers.

To comply, gun owners may be forced to purchase additional equipment. It will heavily alter how they transport firearms. It produces vague and subjective standards. All just to exercise a constitutional right.

The Hypocrisy: A Carveout for Politicians

Here’s where things get even more revealing. During negotiations, lawmakers attempted to include a special exemption for themselves. The proposed carveout would have allowed members of the General Assembly to leave firearms in their vehicles.

Exempted their designated Capitol parking areas from the storage requirements. In other words, the same lawmakers pushing these restrictions didn’t want to follow them. After public backlash, the carveout was removed—but the intent was clear.

The Bigger Picture

This situation isn’t unique to Virginia. Across the country—including here in Minnesota—we’re seeing similar efforts. These anti-gun states are increasing restrictions on law-abiding gun owners. Expanding definitions and vague compliance standards.

Policies that shift responsibility away from criminals. These laws often claim to promote safety—but in reality, they add complexity for responsible citizens. These laws also do little to deter actual criminal behavior.

The Bottom Line

HB110 is a perfect example of what happens when legislation is driven by politics instead of principle. It burdens lawful gun owners, punishes victims of theft, and creates unclear and costly compliance requirements. The most egregious part of this law is it attempts to exempt the very people writing the law.

At 2 If By Sea Tactical, we’ll continue to call out policies like this for what they are. Because the focus should be simple hold criminals accountable. Protect the rights of law-abiding citizens. Anything less misses the mark.

Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world. As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube and Rumble channels and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance. We are proud to be Southern Minnesota source for all things 2A.