Source: http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/open-and-concealed-gun-carry-laws-virginia.htm
Timestamp: 2013-05-19 22:24:20
Document Index: 790234825

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 24', '§ 23']

Open and Concealed Gun Carry Laws in Virginia | CriminalDefenseLawyer.com
Criminal Law > Criminal Charges > Gun Laws > Concealed Weapons Laws > Open and Concealed Gun Carry Laws in Virginia
Virginia protects the right to bear arms under Article I, Section 13 of the state constitution, but this does not mean that everyone may carry a gun, or that you may always carry a gun wherever you like. Virginia requires a concealable carry permit to carry a weapon openly or
concealed on (or near) you body or vehicle unless you are in your house, at your place of business, or on your own property. (Va. Ann. Code § 18.2-308.)
For more information on permitting laws, see Gun Permit Laws in Virginia.
People Who May Not Carry a Gun in Virginia
The following individuals are prohibited from carrying a weapon in Virginia:
non- residents of Virginia, unless the person is a permit holder from a state with reciprocity with Virginia (see Gun Permit Laws in Virginia for more information on reciprocity)
discharged from state custody, commitment in a mental institution, or whose competency or capacity was restored within the last five years
someone who has been convicted of two or more misdemeanors within the last five years
addicted to, or unlawful users or dealers of marijuana or other controlled substances; or who have been found guilty of illegal possession or distribution of these substances within the last three years
anyone convicted of public drunkenness, or substantially similar laws in other states within the last three years
individuals dishonorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces
who have been convicted of specified crimes (including but not limited to assault, sexual battery, and stalking), or persons with a charge pending against them for one of these crimes, and
a person who was convicted of being delinquent based on an offense that, if committed by an adult, would have been a felony
(Va. Ann. Code § 18.2-308(E).)
The following rules govern when and where you may not carry a gun in Virginia. You may not carry a firearm:
you are in your house, place of business, or on your own property, you may not carry a firearm without a concealed carry permit. (Va. Ann. Code
§ 18.2-308) into a place of religious worship (Va. Ann. Code § 18.2-283) into a courthouse (Va. Ann. Code § 18.2-283.1)
into an airport terminal (Va. Ann. Code § 18.2-287.01)
onto school property (Va. Ann. Code § 18.2-308.1)
in a jail, prison, or detention facility. (S.C. Code Ann.§ 24-13-440), and
school premises (including day care and preschool facilities), in law enforcement offices or facilities, in court facilities, at polling places on election days, in churches or other religious sanctuaries, in hospitals or medical facilities. (S.C. Code Ann.§ 23-31-215).
is a Class 1 misdemeanor to carry a handgun in Virginia without a concealed carry license (unless you are in your own home, on your own property, or at your fixed place of business). Penalties for a first offense include a fine of up to $2,500, up to 12 months in jail, or both.
penalties for violating gun carry laws are serious, and often include harsh fines and long prison sentences. If you have any questions about whether you are allowed to carry a gun in Virginia, or if you are facing
charges for a gun violation, consult a qualified criminal defense lawyer. by: Monica Steiner, Contributing Author