(The Center Square) – The Virginia General Assembly has advanced legislation banning the use of “trigger activators” to Gov. Glenn Youngkin for final approval.
Senate passage Tuesday was 21-19. Final passage Feb. 4 was 51-48 in the House of Delegates.
Trigger activators are devices that modify semi-automatic firearms to increase their rate of fire. House Bill 1660, introduced by Chesterfield County Democratic Del. Michael J. Jones, defines a trigger activator as “a conversion kit, tool, accessory, or device designed to alter the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm to mimic automatic weapon fire or used to increase the rate of fire to a rate faster than such semi-automatic firearm not equipped with a conversion kit, tool, accessory, or device.”
Youngkin has the options to sign it into law, veto it, propose amendments, or take no action at all, which would result in the bill becoming law in 30 days. The Institute for Legislative Action, the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association, is urging Youngkin to veto.
Amendments in the legislation refined the definition of “trigger activator,” aiming to ensure clarity and prevent misinterpretation.
Youngkin had previously blocked proposals such as a five-day waiting period for firearm purchases, increased penalties for unsecured firearms near minors, and expanded prohibitions on carrying semi-automatic rifles in public places.
“We voted for gun sense majorities in 2023 because we knew that they would deliver on making our state safer,” said Gayatri Manoharan, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action in a statement. “Time and again, they’ve demonstrated that they are up for the challenge. In both the House and the Senate, our legislative champions have not let a day go by where they are not prioritizing gun safety bills, and our communities will be safer for it. With the session halfway done, it’s time to get these bills across the finish line.”
Gun rights organizations, such as the National Rifle Association, argue that the bill’s definition of trigger activators is overly broad and could inadvertently criminalize lawful firearm accessories, including common trigger upgrades.
According to Moms Demand Action, Virginia averages 1,200 deaths and 1,624 wounded by firearms each year, noting that the gun-related violence costs Virginia $14.2 billion annually, with $288.3 million of that covered by taxpayers.
With a rate of 13.6 deaths per 100,000 people, Virginia is the 34th-highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S. Gun-related deaths in the state have risen 34% from 2014 to 2023, mirroring the national increase. In 2023, there were 348 more gun deaths than in 2014. The rate of gun suicide surged by 93% during this time, while gun suicides rose by 10%.
If signed into law, Virginia would be one of several states restricting the trigger activators.