Simone Lawson
The Constitution of Virginia protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms from government infringement. However, Virginia gun control laws limit the ownership and carrying of certain weapons, and restrict who is permitted to own guns. For example, people convicted of a felony or who are subject to a protective order (restraining order) may not own or buy guns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the Virginia Constitution protect handgun ownership? | Yes, the Constitution of Virginia protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms from government infringement. |
| Gun control laws | Virginia gun control laws limit the ownership and carrying of certain weapons. |
| Who can own a gun? | People convicted of a felony or who are subject to a protective order (restraining order) may not own or buy guns. |
| Concealed carry permits | Residents and non-residents can apply for a concealed carry permit through their local circuit court. |
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What You'll Learn
- Virginia gun control laws limit the ownership and carrying of certain weapons
- The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to own firearms for self-defence
- Virginia's history with gun regulations
- The Virginia State Police website has information on eligibility for concealed handgun permits
- The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) preserves the right to purchase, possess and use firearms
Virginia gun control laws limit the ownership and carrying of certain weapons
Virginia gun control laws also limit the use of certain guns. Those seeking a concealed handgun permit in Virginia must apply to their local circuit court. Residents and non-residents can apply for a permit. The Virginia State Police website has online versions of the permit applications and other useful information on eligibility.
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to own firearms for self-defence. State and local authorities must show that laws that burden the right to bear arms are consistent with traditional gun regulations from U.S. history. The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), established in 1975, is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to own firearms for self-defence
Virginia's history with gun regulations goes back to 1619, when its first General Assembly passed a gun control law making it a crime to provide arms to indigenous people. State regulation of firearms has changed over time. The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), established in 1975, is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment.
In 2022, the Court invalidated a New York law granting authorities discretion in awarding concealed carry permits. The Court found that the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to own firearms for self-defence. State and local authorities must show that laws that burden the right to bear arms are consistent with traditional gun regulations from U.S. history.
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Virginia's history with gun regulations
State regulation of firearms has changed over time, and Virginia gun control laws limit the ownership and carrying of certain weapons. Virginia laws also restrict who is permitted to own guns. For example, people convicted of a felony or who are subject to a protective order (restraining order) may not own or buy guns. In recent years, the state has enacted new measures aimed at preventing gun violence, including universal background checks on firearm purchases and an extreme risk protective order law. Other laws have sought to strengthen restrictions imposed on those convicted of domestic violence and encourage the safe storage of firearms.
The federal government exercises limited control over the ownership and use of firearms, and federal law restricting firearms stems from two significant enactments: the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) and the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). The NFA created a tax and regulation scheme, while the GCA established licensing requirements for firearm dealers and prohibited the sale of firearms to specific individuals, such as those who have been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
The Commonwealth of Virginia preempts local regulation of several aspects of firearms, though some local regulation is explicitly permitted. Virginia passed the Uniform Machine Gun Act, which was drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. The only firearms prohibited in Virginia are the Armsel Striker, also known as the Striker 12, similar shotguns, and any "plastic firearms." Firearms must contain at least 3.7 ounces of electromagnetically detectable metal in the barrel, slide, cylinder, frame or receiver, and when subjected to x-ray machines, generate an image that accurately depicts their shape.
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The Virginia State Police website has information on eligibility for concealed handgun permits
The Constitution of Virginia protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms from government infringement. However, Virginia gun control laws limit the ownership and carrying of certain weapons. Virginia laws also restrict who is permitted to own guns. For example, people convicted of a felony or who are subject to a protective order (restraining order) may not own or buy guns.
Virginia has a long history with gun regulations. Its first General Assembly, in 1619, passed a gun control law making it a crime to provide arms to indigenous people. State regulation of firearms has changed over time. In 2022, the Court invalidated a New York law granting authorities discretion in awarding concealed carry permits. The Court found that the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to own firearms for self-defence.
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The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) preserves the right to purchase, possess and use firearms
The Constitution of Virginia protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms from government infringement. However, Virginia gun control laws limit the ownership and carrying of certain weapons, and restrict who is permitted to own guns. For example, people convicted of a felony or who are subject to a protective order (restraining order) may not own or buy guns.
The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), established in 1975, is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. The ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has a long history with gun regulations. Its first General Assembly, in 1619, passed a gun control law making it a crime to provide arms to indigenous people. State regulation of firearms has changed over time. In 2022, the Court invalidated a New York law granting authorities discretion in awarding concealed carry permits. The Court found that the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to own firearms for self-defence.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Virginia Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms from government infringement.
It means that Virginia gun control laws limit the ownership and carrying of certain weapons. Virginia laws also restrict who is permitted to own guns. For example, people convicted of a felony or who are subject to a protective order (restraining order) may not own or buy guns.
Those seeking a concealed handgun permit in Virginia apply to their local circuit court. Residents and non-residents can apply for a permit.
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to own firearms for self-defence. State and local authorities must show that laws that burden the right to bear arms are consistent with traditional gun regulations from U.S. history.
