Question: do you need a permit to open carry in virginia

title: Gun laws in Virginia
text: Subject / Law Long Guns Handguns Relevant Statutes Notes Permit to purchase required ? No No Firearm registration ? No No § 18.2 - 295 Fully - automatic firearms ( machine guns ) are required to be registered with the state police . Owner license required ? No No Proof of age and citizenship required for the purchase of `` assault weapons '' . Concealed carry permits required ? No Yes § 18.2 - 308 Virginia is a `` shall issue '' state for concealed carry . Permits are issued to non-residents and training is permitted online or in person . Open carry permitted ? Yes Yes § 15.2 - 915.2 § 18.2 - 287.4 § 18.2 - 282 Open carry is generally allowed without a permit for people 18 years of age and older . The following cities and counties have exceptions that disallow the open carry of `` assault weapons '' ( any firearm that is equipped with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or is designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock ) or shotguns equipped with a magazine that holds more than 7 rounds : the Cities of Alexandria , Chesapeake , Fairfax , Falls Church , Newport News , Norfolk , Richmond , and Virginia Beach and in the Counties of Arlington , Fairfax , Henrico , Loudoun , and Prince William . These restrictions do not apply to valid concealed carry permit holders . Stated differently , you may open carry an assault weapon / shotgun with more than 7 rounds with a permit in the aforementioned locations , but do not need a permit to do so in any other locality in Virginia . For open carry in a vehicle , the firearm must be `` properly secured in a container or compartment within the vehicle '' ( ie glove box , center console , trunk , etc ) . The container / compartment does not have to be locked , the firearm may be within the reach of the driver or a passenger , and the firearm may be loaded . This does not preempt an employer from prohibiting firearms `` at a place of employment if there is a company policy or signage prohibiting firearms on the premises . '' Furthermore , a `` county or city may by ordinance make it unlawful for any person to transport , possess or carry a loaded shotgun or loaded rifle in any vehicle on any public street , road , or highway within such locality . '' However , this does not `` apply to duly authorized law - enforcement officers or military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties , nor to any person who reasonably believes that a loaded rifle or shotgun is necessary for his personal safety in the course of his employment or business . '' In addition , a firearm may be considered `` open carry '' in a vehicle if the firearm is openly visible , though this is not as well established as the `` secured in a container / compartment '' rule . State preemption of local restrictions ? Yes Yes § 15.2 - 915 Virginia has state preemption for most but not all firearm laws . Assault weapon law ? Yes Yes § 18.2 - 308.2 : 2 § 18.2 - 308.2 : 01 § 18.2 - 308.7 Proof of age ( 18 + for long arms , 21 + for pistols ) and proof of citizenship ( or permanent residence license ) are required for the purchase of `` assault weapons '' . `` Assault weapons '' are defined as a semi-automatic , centerfire , firearm equipped with a folding stock , or equipped at the time with a magazine capable of holding more than 20 rounds , or capable of accommodating a silencer / suppressor . Magazine restriction ? No No § 18.2 - 287.4 § 18.2 - 282 . Magazines capable of holding more than 20 rounds are legal but , they make the firearm an `` assault weapon '' , subject to law accordingly . NFA weapons restricted ? No No § 18.2 - 308.8 § 18.2 - 308.5 § 18.2 - 295 Fully - automatic firearms ( machine guns ) must be registered with the state police . Plastic firearms and some destructive devices ( such as the striker 12 shotgun ) are prohibited outside law enforcement . SBS , SBR , AOWs , and suppressors are legal with NFA paperwork . Background checks required for private sales ? No No 

Answer: answer: No, Open carry is generally allowed without a permit for people 18 years of age and older . You may open carry an assault weapon / shotgun with more than 7 rounds with a permit in the aforementioned locations , but do not need a permit to do so in any other locality in Virginia .