SB 27: Firearm Industry Members; “Standards of Responsible Conduct”
⚫ THREAT LEVEL: CRITICAL
BILL SNAPSHOT
Bill Name: SB 27
Bill Patron: Jennifer D. Carroll Foy
Issue Area: Second Amendment / Business Regulation / Civil Liability
Who It Will Impact: Gun Manufacturers, Distributors, Owners, and Retailers
QUICK SUMMARY
SB 27 establishes broad and poorly defined “responsible conduct” standards for the firearm industry, significantly expanding civil liability for lawful manufacturers and sellers. It requires businesses to adopt undefined “reasonable controls” over manufacturing, sales, distribution, and marketing, and effectively obligates them to anticipate and prevent misuse by third parties. The legislation authorizes lawsuits by the Attorney General or private individuals based on alleged “reasonable cause,” permits courts to issue injunctions and award damages and legal fees, applies the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to firearm sales and marketing, and circumvents long-standing legal protections for lawful firearm businesses.
RALLY ANALYSIS
This bill is a backdoor attack on the Second Amendment using civil lawsuits instead of criminal law.
Rather than punishing criminals, the legislation shifts blame to lawful businesses and demands that firearm manufacturers and retailers predict the future behavior of third parties — an impossible standard in any industry.
By labeling gun commerce as a potential “public nuisance,” the bill weaponizes the court system to:
- Bankrupt firearm businesses through endless litigation
- Regulate firearms through judges instead of lawmakers
- Achieve gun control goals that voters have repeatedly rejected
The language is intentionally vague. Terms like “reasonable cause,” “substantial risk,” and “responsible conduct” are undefined, allowing politically motivated lawsuits and selective enforcement.
This mirrors failed gun-industry litigation strategies used in other states — strategies designed not to improve public safety, but to choke off lawful gun access through legal harassment.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- Targets lawful gun businesses, not criminals
- Invites unlimited lawsuits from activists and prosecutors
- Circumvents the Second Amendment through civil courts
- Drives firearm dealers out of Virginia
- Threatens small, family-owned gun shops
- Creates de facto gun control without legislative votes
RALLY VERDICT: ❌ STRONGLY OPPOSE
This bill is a radical liability scheme designed to dismantle Virginia’s firearm industry through lawsuits, not law enforcement.
It punishes lawful businesses, ignores criminal responsibility, and sets a dangerous precedent where constitutional rights can be regulated out of existence by trial lawyers and activist prosecutors.
Rally Radar urges legislators to vote NO and reject this coordinated assault on the Second Amendment, small businesses, and the rule of law.
RALLY RADAR — THREAT LEVEL LEGEND
⚫ CRITICAL THREAT — Immediate and severe harm; must be stopped
🔴 HIGH THREAT — Serious risk to safety, liberty, or governance
🟡 MODERATE THREAT — Concerning but limited scope
🟢 LOW THREAT — Minimal impact or symbolic
