Category Archives: Weapons Offenses
What Do You Need for a Gun License in Virginia?
Until 2020, Virginia had some of the most liberal gun possession laws in the United States. That year, lawmakers passed a bundle of laws that greatly restricted gun-carrying abilities. These laws included some objective roadblocks, like a background check, and some subjective ones, such as a red flag law (of sorts). Furthermore, pretty much… Read More »
Virginia Gun Laws and Location Restrictions
In recent years, gun possession laws in Virginia have changed significantly, and the laws are still in a state of flux. Likewise, location restrictions have changed significantly and will likely change again at least once. But we’ll break down these restrictions as they exist as of May 2024. The penalties for carrying a weapon… Read More »
Breaking Down Virginia’s Illegal Discharge Law
Most states prohibit the unauthorized discharge of firearms, and most states don’t strictly enforce these prohibitions. Virginia is different. Local authorities aggressively enforce Section 18.2-280 violations. Officers usually respond to shots-fired calls, investigators usually follow up, and prosecutors usually file charges. Obviously, these cases have a lot of moving parts. Police officers can only… Read More »
Overview Of Four Types Of People Who Cannot Own Firearms In Virginia
Even though the Second Amendment grants the right to bear arms, it is a weapon crime in Virginia for certain individuals to purchase, possess, or transport firearms. Effectively, these individuals do not have the necessary capacity to appreciate the danger that firearms pose. Accordingly, Virginia law prohibits these individuals from purchasing, possessing, or transporting… Read More »
Overview of Three Firearm Weapon Crimes in Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia features laws against weapon crimes, including various restrictions on the ability to possess or use firearms. For example, it is a crime to display or brandish a firearm in certain circumstances. It is also illegal to discharge a firearm in public or at occupied buildings or residences. Pointing, Holding or… Read More »
Exploring Four Virginia Laws Involving Dangerous Weapons
Owing to the dangerousness of firearms and similar weapons, the Commonwealth of Virginia has strict laws against various weapon crimes. Often referred to generally as dangerous weapons, there are state laws against possession or use in various places and settings, such as churches, courthouses, and airports. There are also laws against using dangerous weapons… Read More »
Ashburn Man Charged with Reckless Handling of a Firearm in Virginia
A 24-year-old man from Ashburn, Virginia, now faces criminal charges for the weapon crime of reckless handling of a firearm, according to an article by the Loudoun Times-Mirror. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office responded to this incident on September 9th in Hamilton. The Ashburn man apparently discharged a firearm and injured a woman in… Read More »
Virginia Laws Against Aggressive or Violent Machine Gun Use
Referred to as machine guns, automatic firearms and similar weapons are highly regulated in Virginia. This stems from the potential danger that these weapons pose to the general public. Armed with a machine gun, a single assailant has the power to harm large groups of people at the same time. To minimize the impact… Read More »
Will a Hamilton Gun Store be Able to Sell Coffee or Food?
The Town Council of Hamilton, Virginia, is considering whether to allow a gun store to sell coffee, reported Loudoun Now. On October 15th, the Hamilton Council will vote on a six-month trial period for coffee sales at the gun store. This decision arose after the Hamilton Council met for one hour on September 25th…. Read More »
What is the Virginia Uniform Machine Gun Act?
The Uniform Machine Gun Act regulates the possession and use of machine guns within the Commonwealth of Virginia. The following sections will provide an overview of several important components of the Uniform Machine Gun Act in Virginia. Definition of Machine Guns Under Code of Virginia § 18.2-288, a machine gun is any weapon that:… Read More »
