18101559D<br><center><b>
SENATE BILL NO. 145
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Offered January 10, 2018
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Prefiled December 28, 2017
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<i>A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section 
 numbered <a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.1:01">18.2-308.1:01</a>, relating to transfers of firearms; penalties.</i>
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Patron-- Edwards
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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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<p>Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:</p>
 
 
<p>1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section 
 numbered <a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.1:01">18.2-308.1:01</a> as follows:</p>
 
 
<p><i class=new>&sect;
 <a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-308.1:01">18.2-308.1:01</a>. Firearm transfers; penalties.</i></p>
 
 
<p><i class=new>A. Any person not a licensed dealer who conducts 
 business as a merchant of 
 firearms for valuable consideration may not sell a 
 firearm to a buyer without having a background 
 check of the buyer conducted by 
 a federally licensed firearms dealer.</i></p>
 
 
<p><i class=new>B. For 
 purposes of this section, merchant 
 is as defined in &sect;
 <a href="http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/8.2-104">8.2-104</a>.</i></p>
 
 
<p><i class=new>C. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless 
 otherwise required by state or federal law, an individual who 
 transfers a firearm to a family member or 
 personal friend, by inheritance, by operation of law, or for a temporary 
 purpose shall not be required to conduct the background check described by this 
 section.</i></p>
 
 
<p><i class=new>D. A 
 violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.</i></p>