Overview Of Gun Laws In Virginia Open Carry Vs Concealed Weapons

What's the difference between walking into a CVS in Virginia with a pistol on your belt and walking into a CVS with a pistol under your shirt? Beneath Virginia law, a single is legal, but the other could cost you twelve months in jail. To understand the differences find more  involving these seemingly indiscernible circumstances, it is essential to understand the distinction amongst Virginia's open carry and concealed weapons laws.

Recent shootings across the country have sent states scrambling to enact new gun legislation that restrict or prohibit people from buying and carrying guns. In Virginia, on the other hand, gun laws stay virtually unchanged. Virginia enables folks to openly carry firearms, with some exceptions, and carry concealed handguns having a concealed handgun permit.

Are you able to Openly Carry A Loaded Gun in Virginia?

The answer to this question is determined by the kind of firearm as well as the location in which you carry it. Section 18.2-287.4 in the Virginia Code outlines the basic prohibitions relating to openly carrying a firearm. The section prevents folks from openly carrying three varieties of loaded weapons. The initial two weapons are semi-automatic center-fire rifles, which consist of assault rifles, and semi-automatic pistols which might be equipped using a magazine that could hold greater than 20 rounds, can accommodate a silencer, or are equipped with a folding stock. Hence, Virginians are able to openly carry semi-automatic pistols and rifles so long as they don't meet one of many 3 above-mentioned restrictions. Section 18.2-287.four also prohibits openly carrying shotguns with a magazine that can hold greater than seven rounds. As a result, Virginians can openly carry shotguns with this one exception.

It's significant to recall that the weapon must be openly carried. Concealing an otherwise permissible weapon is illegal with out a concealed handgun permit. In the CVS hypothetical above, it was the concealment from the pistol beneath the shirt that created the act illegal. Likewise, it can be illegal to brandish a weapon, regardless of no matter if it can be capable of firing, if doing so would lead to a reasonable person to fear becoming shot or injured. Basically, this provision in the Virginia Code prohibits with an otherwise legally carried firearm.

Ultimately, the prohibitions on openly carrying firearms in Section 18.2-287.four with the Virginia Code usually do not apply to many classes of people. The law exempts law enforcement personnel, licensed security guards, any person lawfully engaged in hunting or activities at a shooting variety, and folks with a concealed handgun permit

Can you Carry a Concealed Weapon in Virginia?

Virginia has relatively strict laws prohibiting concealed weapons. Not just is carrying a concealed firearm illegal, it is illegal to conceal a wide selection of other weapons such as bowie knives and switchblades. A very first time violation with the law can be a Class 1 Misdemeanor and subsequent violations are classified as felonies. There are many exceptions for the laws against concealed weapons, like individuals in their location of small business and those traveling to shooting ranges, provided that the weapon is secured and unloaded. Likewise, Virginians with a concealed handgun permit are exempt in the law.