Virginia Lawmakers Advance 'Ghost Gun' Legislation

Bills target possession, manufacture, and import of unserialized firearms

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Democratic state lawmakers in Virginia have advanced legislation that would criminalize 'ghost guns' - plastic and unserialized firearms, including unfinished frames or receivers. The bills aim to improve public safety by penalizing the possession, manufacture, and import of these untraceable weapons.

Why it matters

Ghost guns have become an increasing concern for law enforcement, as they can be easily assembled from parts without serial numbers, making them difficult to trace. This legislation is part of a broader effort by Virginia lawmakers to address gun violence and regulate emerging firearm technologies.

The details

The House and Senate bills would make it a crime to possess, manufacture, or import ghost guns. Owners would be encouraged to get their weapons serialized and registered. Violations would result in misdemeanor charges for first offenses and potential felony charges for repeat offenses.

  • The House bill passed on a 63-34 party-line vote on February 5, 2026.
  • The Senate bill cleared the Senate on a party-line vote and is now in the House.

The players

Del. Marcus Simon

A Democratic state lawmaker and chief patron of the House bill targeting ghost guns.

Sen. Adam Ebbins

A Democratic state senator who sponsored the similar Senate bill.

Philip Van Cleave

President of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, an organization opposing firearm restrictions.

Del. Dan Helmer

A Democratic state lawmaker who sponsored a bill to ban assault-type weapons.

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What they’re saying

“It's the part you attach to all the other parts to. They can be manufactured by companies 80% of the way, and then they send it to you to finish.”

— Del. Marcus Simon (pilotonline.com)

“The fact that it's illegal, I think hopefully, we'll keep people from marketing these items and making them available for sale in Virginia, so hopefully we don't need to prosecute it.”

— Del. Marcus Simon (pilotonline.com)

“The people most affected by this bill are communities who can be protected from gun violence perpetrated by those who have firearms that we can't trace.”

— Del. Dan Helmer, Member of the House Public Safety committee (pilotonline.com)

“There was no history of serialization of firearms when the country was founded … that started in 1968.”

— Philip Van Cleave, President of the Virginia Citizens Defense League (pilotonline.com)

What’s next

The Senate bill is now in the House, where lawmakers have requested a conference committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation.

The takeaway

This legislation is part of a broader effort by Virginia lawmakers to address the growing problem of ghost guns, which have become a concern for law enforcement due to their untraceable nature. The bills aim to improve public safety by regulating these emerging firearm technologies, though they face opposition from gun rights advocates who argue the measures are unconstitutional.