Helmer championed HB21, giving Attorney General Jay Jones and local prosecutors the tools to hold negligent firearm dealers and manufacturers accountable


Fairfax, VA — Delegate Dan Helmer commended Attorney General Jay Jones’ launch of the Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility (FAIR) Unit, a new office empowered by legislation Helmer championed earlier this year to crack down on negligent gun dealers and manufacturers.


The FAIR Unit, announced last Tuesday, will investigate and bring civil enforcement actions against firearm industry members who violate the law by failing to implement business practices designed to prevent guns from reaching traffickers, straw purchasers, or people at risk of using a firearm to harm themselves or others. The unit can pursue lawsuits over improper sales, marketing, and distribution practices, and seek damages and restitution on behalf of impacted communities.


The law creating this authority, which Helmer introduced as HB21, was signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger in April. It gives the Office of the Attorney General new tools to investigate firearm industry members suspected of breaking the rules and prohibits industry members from knowingly contributing to a public nuisance through unlawful or unreasonable sales, manufacturing, importing, or marketing practices.


Delegate Dan Helmer released the following statement:


“For too long, negligent gun dealers and manufacturers have looked the other way while their products end up in the hands of traffickers and people who shouldn’t have them, and Virginia families have paid the price. HB21 was about drawing a hard line: if you’re going to sell firearms in Virginia, you have a responsibility to do it safely and lawfully, or you will be held accountable. I’m grateful to Attorney General Jones for standing up the FAIR Unit and putting real teeth behind this law. This is exactly the kind of common-sense action Virginians expect from their government — one that holds bad actors accountable and makes our communities safer, without infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners.”