NORFOLK, Va. — A bill that would make it a misdemeanor to leave a handgun visible in a car parked on a public street has passed the Virginia General Assembly and is now heading to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk.
Law enforcement across Virginia has long said guns being stolen out of cars is a major problem. Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate has said a gun is stolen in about 10% of cars broken into in the city.
Under the bill, gun owners would be required to store their firearm in a locked glove box, locked center console, or another lockable storage device attached to the vehicle. The bill does not apply to someone who reports to police that their gun was stolen…