Virginia Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Virginia have an Assault Weapons Ban? | ✅ Yes, as of HB 1607/SB 1181, starting July 1, 2025, bans sale/manufacture of certain semiautomatic firearms and large-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes, since July 1, 2020, all private firearm transfers (excluding close family) require state police-conducted checks. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales. |
| Is Virginia a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Partially, Virginia allows open carry without retreat but concealed carry Permitted use doctrine applies. There’s no duty to retreat explicitly for open carry. |
| What kind of restrictions does Virginia have? |
|
| Does Virginia have any gun storage laws? | ✅ Yes secure storage required when a minor or prohibited person could access the firearm. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Virginia? | 🚫 No, handgun purchases are limited to one per 30 days unless CHP holder. |
| Does Virginia have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes, Extreme Risk Protective Orders are permitted via risk-based orders. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Virginia? | 🚫 No. No firearm registration requirement. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | ✅ Yes for private sales; CHP holders exempt from 30-day rule. For dealers: NICS required. |
| Does Virginia have a waiting period for firearms? | ✅ Effectively, concealed purchasers must wait 30 days between handguns unless CHP holder. No waiting for rifles/shotguns. |
✅ Yes, as of HB 1607/SB 1181, starting July 1, 2025, bans sale/manufacture of certain semiautomatic firearms and large-capacity magazines.
✅ Yes, since July 1, 2020, all private firearm transfers (excluding close family) require state police-conducted checks.
✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales.
✅ Partially, Virginia allows open carry without retreat but concealed carry Permitted use doctrine applies. There’s no duty to retreat explicitly for open carry.
- ℹ️ Open carry allowed without permit for ages 18+. Available with exceptions in certain cities/counties.
- ℹ️ Concealed carry requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP): shall-issue, must be 21+, gun-safety training required.
- ℹ️ One-handgun-per-30-days rule applies to non-CHP buyers.
✅ Yes secure storage required when a minor or prohibited person could access the firearm.
🚫 No, handgun purchases are limited to one per 30 days unless CHP holder.
✅ Yes, Extreme Risk Protective Orders are permitted via risk-based orders.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. No firearm registration requirement.
✅ Yes for private sales; CHP holders exempt from 30-day rule. For dealers: NICS required.
✅ Effectively, concealed purchasers must wait 30 days between handguns unless CHP holder. No waiting for rifles/shotguns.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Virginia allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18+ (most places). |
| Does Virginia allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP): shall‑issue at 21+ with training. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray, stun guns, tasers are legal without a permit. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public areas; private property with permission; vehicles (CHP not required for unsecured carry in vehicle). |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Courthouses, schools, govt buildings, airports, secure zones, posted areas restricted. |
| States honored? | ✅ Virginia recognizes all valid out‑of‑state CHPs. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Virginia CHPs are honored in:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ✅ CHP required for concealed carry, valid for residents and non‑residents
|
✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18+ (most places).
✅ Requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP): shall‑issue at 21+ with training.
✅ Pepper spray, stun guns, tasers are legal without a permit.
✅ Most public areas; private property with permission; vehicles (CHP not required for unsecured carry in vehicle).
🚫 Courthouses, schools, govt buildings, airports, secure zones, posted areas restricted.
✅ Virginia recognizes all valid out‑of‑state CHPs.
✅ Virginia CHPs are honored in:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years
🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.
✅ CHP required for concealed carry, valid for residents and non‑residents
- issued by Circuit Court or Virginia State Police
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Local Hunting & Field‑Day Classes | |
| Hunter Education |
Virginia Leadership
- Born: December 9, 1966 (Richmond, VA)
- Term Started: January 15, 2022
- Previous Role: Co-CEO of The Carlyle Group (2018–2020)
- Born: December 15, 1954 (Indianapolis, IN)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2009
- Committees:
- Intelligence (Vice Chair)
- Finance
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
- Born: February 26, 1958 (Saint Paul, MN)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2013
- Committees:
- Armed Services
- Foreign Relations
- Budget
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)