Virginia attorney general launches unit to enforce firearm industry law

(The Center Square) – Virginia is beginning enforcement of a new firearm industry law, with first-term Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones creating a unit to investigate manufacturers, sellers and other industry members and bring civil cases under powers that took effect July 1. Jones announced the Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit, known as the FAIR Unit, on Tuesday. The unit is housed within the attorney general's Civil and Criminal Justice and Public Safety divisions. The office said the unit will investigate possible violations of Virginia's Firearm Industry Standards of Responsible Conduct and bring civil enforcement actions against firearm industry members. The law was enacted through House Bill 21 and Senate Bill 27 during this year's General Assembly session. The law requires firearm industry members to establish what it calls "reasonable controls" over the manufacture, sale, distribution, use and marketing of firearm-related products. It also prohibits them from knowingly creating, maintaining or contributing to a public nuisance through unlawful or unreasonable conduct involving those products. A firearm industry member is defined as someone engaged in the sale, manufacture, distribution, importation or marketing of a firearm-related product. That includes firearms, ammunition, components and accessories covered by the statute. Under the law, the attorney general or a local county, city or town attorney may bring a civil action seeking an injunction, restitution, compensatory or punitive damages, attorney fees and other relief. People injured as a result of a violation may also bring certain civil actions. The attorney general also has authority to issue a civil investigative demand when there is reasonable cause to believe someone has violated, is violating or is about to violate the law. Jones' office said the FAIR Unit may pursue cases involving improper sales or distribution, marketing practices, known risks associated with particular products or practices that facilitate the illegal acquisition or diversion of firearms. The office is recruiting attorneys, investigators and other employees for the unit. A Department of Planning and Budget fiscal analysis prepared as lawmakers considered HB21 estimated the law would require three additional Attorney General's Office positions and $409,864 in annual general fund spending beginning in fiscal 2027. The estimate included two assistant attorneys general and an administrative position. The new unit comes as Virginia continues implementing firearm laws approved during the 2026 General Assembly session. The FAIR Unit, however, is focused specifically on the civil enforcement framework created by HB21 and SB27 and the conduct of firearm industry members covered by that law.