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A brand new invoice launched in Virginia would slap a $500 state excise tax on each retail sale of a firearm suppressor.
Home Invoice 207, prefiled on January 7, 2026, and formally supplied on January 14, would create a completely new part of Virginia’s tax code devoted solely to suppressors.
Beneath the proposal, licensed firearms sellers can be required to gather a $500 excise tax per suppressor offered starting July 1, 2026.
The tax would apply to all civilian retail gross sales within the Commonwealth. Exemptions can be carved out just for gross sales to federal, state, or native authorities companies and law-enforcement officers buying suppressors for official obligation use.
Income generated by the tax can be deposited immediately into Virginia’s common fund. With no requirement that the cash be earmarked for public security, legislation enforcement, or hearing-protection applications.
The invoice defines a firearm suppressor broadly as “any gadget or mixture of components designed to silence, muffle, or diminish the report of a firearm.” And applies the tax no matter caliber or firearm sort.
If enacted, the proposal would impose a brand new $500 state tax on suppressor purchases. Considerably growing the out-the-door price regardless of the federal authorities eliminating the $200 NFA tax stamp as of January 1, 2026.
Whereas the federal charge is gone, patrons would nonetheless face state gross sales tax, vendor charges, switch prices, and the prolonged federal approval course of required for NFA registration.
Critics argue the proposal quantities to a focused monetary barrier aimed squarely at discouraging lawful possession of a federally regulated accent that is still authorized underneath each federal legislation and Virginia legislation.
Supporters, in the meantime, body the measure as a income software layered onto an already regulated market. One which has simply seen its long-standing federal price barrier eliminated.
Committee referral for HB 207 continues to be pending, and no listening to date has but been introduced.
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