Selected Code of Virginia on Firearms

This site is only an information site on the law in Virginia. The following information is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as accurate or current. Consult an Attorney, or the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office or the Office of the Attorney General.

NOTE: The notations at the end of the statute are the year and the Chapter Number which changed the law. "2002, c.484 ". To look up how the law was changed in 2002, go to the Acts of Assembly for the year 2002, and look for Chapter 484.

Listed by ascending order of Code:

§ 15.2-915. Control of firearms; applicability to authorities and local governmental agencies.

§ 15.2-915.2 Regulation of transportation of a loaded rifle or shotgun.

§ 15.2-915.3. Requiring fingerprinting for concealed handgun permit.

§ 15.2-917. Applicability of local noise ordinances to certain sport shooting ranges.

§ 15.2-1209.1. Counties may regulate carrying of loaded firearms on public highways.

§ 18.2-46.6. Possession, manufacture, distribution, etc. of weapon of terrorism or hoax device prohibited; penalty.

§ 18.2-85. Manufacture, possession, use, etc., of fire bombs or explosive materials or devices; penalties.

§ 18.2-154. Shooting at or throwing missiles, etc., at train, car, vessel, etc.; penalty.

§ 18.2-279. Discharging firearms or missiles within or at building or dwelling house.

See Also : Goodman v Commonwealth Va. App. (2004 Unpublished) , Illegal Search of Home on 911 Caller Hearing Gun Shots

See Also: Kimberlin v. Commonwealth, Va. App. (2005 Unpublished) False Report on Gunshots

§ 18.2-280. Willfully discharging firearms in public places.

§ 18.2-281. Setting spring gun or other deadly weapon.

§ 18.2-282. Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty.

§ 18.2-282.1. Brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate; penalty.

§ 18.2-285. Hunting with firearms while under influence of intoxicant or narcotic drug.

§ 18.2-286. Shooting in or across road or in street.

See Also: Op. Va. Att'y. Gen. OP. NO. 05-047 (2005)

§ 18.2-286.1. Shooting from vehicles so as to endanger persons; penalty.

§ 18.2-287.01. Carrying weapon in air carrier airport terminal.

§ 18.2-287.2. Wearing of body armor while committing a crime; penalty.

§ 18.2-287.4. Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty.

Geospatial Enforcement of 18.2-287.4

§ 18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.

See Also: Op. Va. Att'y Gen. Feb. (1982) - Permit Valid Throughout the State

See Also: Op. Va. Att'y Gen. Jan. (1986) - U.S. Park Ranger May Carry Concealed While on Duty

See Also : Op. Va. Att’y. Gen. (1995) , Carrying Concealed in a Restaurant that has an ABC License is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, Hunter Safety course is all that is required, etc.

See Also: Op. Va. Att'y Gen. Jan. (1998) - When Permit To Be Issued , Fingerprinting
See Also : Merkel v. Manger, 19 Cir. C 182015 (2003) - Proof of Residency is Required.

See Also: Op. Va. Att'y Gen. No. 04-040, July. (2004) - Incomplete Application not to be dismissed with Prejudice

See Also : Op. Va. Att'y. Gen. No. 04-066 , Sept. (2004)Deferred Finding of Guilt Under §18.2-57.3 Applies to §18.2-308

See Also : Op. Va. Att'y Gen. No. 05-026 (2005) Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 Applies to local or Regional Jail Officer
See Also : Op Va. Att'y Gen. 05-078, Jan (2006) Authority of Colleges to Regulate Carry on Campus

See Also : Op. Va. Att'y Gen. No. 06-072 (2007) Authority of School Boards to prohibit Firearms at school Board meetings not held at schools.

See Also: Op. Va. Att'y Gen. June 26, (2007) Retired Army Counterintelligence Agents and 18.2-308.

See Also: Op. Va. Att'y Gen. No. 07-027 (2007) Permit Holders Protected Against FOIA Requests

Note: The often used terminology in other statutes, "The exemptions set out in § 18.2-308 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section.", refers to the exemptions outlined in § 18.2-308(b),(c). Mutatis Mutandis means that whatever those exemptions are, present or future, are what shall apply.

§ 18.2-308.2:2. Criminal history record information check required for the transfer of certain firearms; firearm safety information to be provided.

See Also : Active-Duty Member of Armed Forces Stationed in Virginia May Purchase Firearm, Op. Va. Att'y Gen. No. 03-044 (2003) , Adkins v. Commonwealth, Va. App. (1998). False Statement on Firearms Transaction Form, See also: Mayhew v. Commonwealth 20 Va. App. 484, 458 S.E.2d 305, (1995) Background Check at gun shows, See Also: Op. Va. Att'y Gen. (1993).

§ 18.2-308.3. Use or attempted use of restricted ammunition in commission or attempted commission of crimes prohibited; penalty.

§ 18.2-309. Furnishing certain weapons to minors; penalty.

§ 18.2-311.1. Removing, altering, etc., serial number or other identification on firearm.

§ 18.2-312. Illegal use of tear gas, phosgene and other gases.

§ 18.2-406. What constitutes an unlawful assembly; punishment. ( Firearm increases penalty)

§ 18.2-415. Disorderly conduct in public places. See: Battle v. Commonwealth, 50 Va. App. 135, 139, 647 S.E.2d 499, 501 (2007).

§ 18.2-416. Punishment for using abusive language to another.

§ 18.2-433.1. Paramilitary Definitions.

§ 18.2-433.2. Paramilitary activity prohibited.

§ 18.2-433.3. Paramilitary Exceptions.

§ 18.2-463. Refusal to aid officer in execution of his office.;

See: Op. Va. Att'y Gen, 02-082, Oct (2002 ) - Withholding Identification not Obstruction of Justice

§ 18.2-56.1. Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting.

See Also: Schlimmer v. Poverty Hunt Club et al. 268 Va. 74, 597 S.E.2d 43, (2004).

§ 18.2-57.01. Pointing laser at law-enforcement officer unlawful; penalty.

§ 19.2-12. Who are conservators of the peace.

See Frias v. Commonwealth, 34 Va. App. 193, 538 S.E.2d 374 (2000) (Guard not conservator of the peace)

§ 19.2-100. Arrest without warrant.

§ 19.2-19. Recognizance to keep the peace; when required.

§ 19.2-386.28. Forfeiture of weapons that are concealed, possessed, transported or carried in violation of law.

§ 29.1-521. Carrying Weapon on Sunday Not Presumed to be Hunting

§ 44-146.15. Construction of chapter.

Nothing in this chapter is to be construed to:

3) Empower the Governor, any political subdivision, or any other governmental authority to in any way limit the rights of the people to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by Article I, Section 13 of the Constitution of Virginia or the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, including the lawful possession, sale, or transfer of firearms except to the extent necessary to ensure public safety in any place or facility designated or used by the Governor, any political subdivision of the Commonwealth or any other governmental entity as an emergency shelter or for the purpose of sheltering persons;

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