Source: http://johnpierceesq.com/demystifying-the-age-to-acquire-possess-and-carry-handguns-in-virginia/
Timestamp: 2018-01-16 07:33:02
Document Index: 201680174

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 922', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 922', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18']

Demystifying the age to acquire, possess, and carry handguns in Virginia | The Law Office of John Pierce, Esq.
← The NFA item you can’t own in Virginia
It’s time to comment on ATF’s disastrous proposed rulemaking →
Posted on November 12, 2013 by John Pierce
Based upon a recent posting on the Virginia Citizens Defense League Facebook page there seems to be quite a bit of confusion about Virginia’s gun laws where minors and handguns are concerned.
In fact, there seems to be just as much confusion about what actually constitutes a ‘minor’.
So I thought it would be beneficial to break it down step-by-step.
Let’s start by defining our terms. As I noted above, there is some confusion about what is meant by the term minor. Luckily, in Virginia we have a definitive answer.
§ 1-207 of Chapter 2.1 of the Code of Virginia which contains rules of construction tells us that “‘Child,’ ‘juvenile,’ ‘minor,’ ‘infant,’ or any combination thereof means a person less than 18 years of age.”
Now that we have the term minor defined, let’s move on to the various age brackets.
Those under the age of 21 are prohibited by federal law from purchasing handguns from a licensed dealer. This is codified at 18 USC § 922(b)(1) which reads:
This leaves open the possibility that those under 18 might be able to acquire firearms from a private seller or as a gift. Let’s look and see what state law has to say about the subject.
Where handguns are concerned, Virginia law generally prohibits any transfer to those under the age of 18. However, there are several important exceptions. This is codified at § 18.2-309(B) of the Code of Virginia which reads:
There is also a federal statute which heavily restricts the ability to transfer handguns to minors. 18 U.S.C. 922(x) provides in part that:
So … Those under 18 may legally acquire handguns (ownership) from family members or in a private transfer for the purpose of engaging in a sporting event or activity, or as the federal statute states it … for target practice, hunting, or a course of instruction in the safe and lawful use of a handgun.
However, that is not the end of the analysis. Once they ‘own’ a firearm then we must determine if there are other limitations on its use.
Possession / Carry
There are several statutes which address possession and use of firearms by minors. Let’s start with § 18.2-56.2 which reads:
Out of an abundance of caution, I take this code section to imply that legally any minor under the age of 15 should be under the supervision of an adult at any time they are using a firearm.
But that is not all. While offering fairly broad exceptions for private lands, target shooting, and hunting, § 18.2-308.7 further limits the ability of minors to possess and transport handguns in the Commonwealth. It reads in part :
It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a handgun … A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.
In addition, 18 U.S.C. 922(x) governs possession and use as well as initial transfer.
In summary, those under 14 should be supervised by an adult while using handguns and those 15 through 17 should not possess handguns outside of the exceptions laid out in § 18.2-308.7 of the Code of Virginia and 18 U.S.C. 922(x).
Are you 18 through 20 years of age?
As noted above, those under the age of 21 are prohibited by federal law from purchasing handguns from a licensed dealer by the provisions of 18 USC § 922(b)(1).
However, there is no prohibition under Virginia law preventing someone 18 years of age or older from acquiring a handgun via a private sale.
Therefore, it is perfectly legal for someone 18 to 20 years of age, who is otherwise not prohibited from possessing firearms, to acquire one via a private sale.
Virginia is an unlicensed open carry state. Additionally, there is no prohibition under Virginia law preventing someone 18 years of age or older from openly carrying a legally-owned handgun.
The only disability that applies to those 18 to 20 years of age is an inability to apply for, and receive, a Virginia concealed handgun permit (CHP). § 18.2-308.02 of the Code of Virginia limits this to those 21 years of age or older. It reads in part:
A. Any person 21 years of age or older may apply in writing to the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city in which he resides, or if he is a member of the United States armed forces, the county or city in which he is domiciled, for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun ….
The summary for those 18 to 20 years of age is much simpler than that for minors. These legal adults may acquire handguns through private sales and may openly carry them so long as they avoid those places statutorily off limits to open carry. Their only limitation is an inability to apply for, and receive, a concealed handgun permit.
One of those who commented on the VCDL Facebook page posited that since § 18.2-308.2:1 (which makes it a felony to provide a firearm to someone prohibited under § 18.2-308.7) does not have the same exceptions as § 18.2-308.7 that this creates a conflict in the law.
That is not the case. If someone meets one or more of the exceptions in § 18.2-308.7 then they are NOT prohibited under § 18.2-308.7 and therefore § 18.2-308.2:1 never applies.
This entry was posted in Federal Law, Gifting Firearms, Minors, Virginia Law. Bookmark the permalink.