News Releases

Attorney General Jones Launches Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit 

RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones announced the creation of the Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit, housed within the Civil and Criminal Justice & Public Safety Divisions. This unit exercises the investigative and civil enforcement authorities vested in the Attorney General by HB21/SB27, the Virginia Firearm Industry Standards of Responsible Conduct, passed by the 2026 Virginia General Assembly. The Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit (FAIR Unit) will investigate and bring civil enforcement actions against firearm industry members in violation of HB21/SB27. 

“Public safety can’t be pushed to the side or saved for another day – the cost is too high, which is why our office has created this path for Virginia to comprehensively seek justice for families who have been impacted by gun violence. While the law continues to hold perpetrators of violence accountable, the FAIR Unit allows our office the opportunity to hold those who are negligently contributing to the illicit flow of firearms in impacted communities accountable,” Attorney General Jones said. “Creating safer communities starts with holding dealers and manufacturers accountable when they are reckless with the lives of Virginians. The FAIR Unit will play an integral role in building lasting public safety in our communities.” 

“With the passing of this new law, and creation of the FAIR Unit, for the first time, our Office is empowered to bring cases against bad actors in the firearms sale and manufacturing industries. These important new civil remedies will help keep Virginians safe and stop dangerous practices across the Commonwealth,” said Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation Gretchen Nygaard.  

“The civil remedies the FAIR Unit will be able to pursue on behalf of Virginians are going to play a significant role in creating a safer Commonwealth for all. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Division looks forward to supporting the work of this unit,” said Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice and Public Safety Jae K. Davenport. 

Through civil enforcement, the FAIR Unit will both investigate activity across the Commonwealth and bring suits to enjoin such activity and seek damages and restitution, among other appropriate relief. 

The law provides that a firearm-industry member may not, through conduct that is unlawful in itself or unreasonable, knowingly create, maintain, or contribute to a public nuisance through the sale, manufacture, importation, or marketing of a firearm-related product. For example, the Attorney General may bring suit against industry members that engage in unlawful or improper sales, distribution practices, marketing practices, known risks associated with particular products, or practices that facilitate the illegal acquisition or diversion of firearms. 

The OAG is seeking dedicated and passionate civil litigators, prosecutors, and investigators for a variety of roles in this new Unit to aid in enforcing this historic new law. Applications can be found here. 

Published on: September 15, 2026

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