{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1721.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1721.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1721.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1721.html"}],"law_id":77275,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77275,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of sheriff or police","history":"1990, c. 324, \u00a7 15.1-133.01:1; 1997, c. 587; 2015, c. 220.","full_text":"Any locality may destroy unclaimed firearms and other weapons which have been in the possession of law-enforcement agencies for a period of more than 120 days. For the purposes of this section, &#8220;unclaimed firearms and other weapons&#8221; means any firearm or other weapon belonging to another which has been acquired by a law-enforcement officer pursuant to his duties, which is not needed in any criminal prosecution, which has not been claimed by its rightful owner and which the State Treasurer has indicated will be declined if remitted under the Virginia Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (\u00a7 55.1-2500 et seq.).\n\t\tAt the discretion of the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized agents, unclaimed firearms and other weapons may be destroyed by any means which renders the firearms and other weapons permanently inoperable. Prior to the destruction of such firearms and other weapons, the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized agents shall comply with the notice provision contained in \u00a7 15.2-1719.\n\t\tIn lieu of destroying any such unclaimed firearm, the locality may donate the firearm to the Department of Forensic Science, upon agreement of the Department.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":277188,"text":"Any locality may destroy unclaimed firearms and other weapons which have been in the possession of law-enforcement agencies for a period of more than 120 days. For the purposes of this section, &#8220;unclaimed firearms and other weapons&#8221; means any firearm or other weapon belonging to another which has been acquired by a law-enforcement officer pursuant to his duties, which is not needed in any criminal prosecution, which has not been claimed by its rightful owner and which the State Treasurer has indicated will be declined if remitted under the Virginia Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (\u00a7 55.1-2500 et seq.).\n\t\tAt the discretion of the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized agents, unclaimed firearms and other weapons may be destroyed by any means which renders the firearms and other weapons permanently inoperable. Prior to the destruction of such firearms and other weapons, the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized agents shall comply with the notice provision contained in \u00a7 15.2-1719.\n\t\tIn lieu of destroying any such unclaimed firearm, the locality may donate the firearm to the Department of Forensic Science, upon agreement of the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13483,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13482,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","permalink":{"id":153749,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13483,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/17\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13482,"edition_id":1,"name":"Police and Public Order","identifier":"17","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","permalink":{"id":153747,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13482,"identifier":"17","token":"15.2\/II\/17","url":"\/15.2\/II\/17\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59436,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1700","catch_line":"Preservation of peace and good order","url":"\/15.2-1700\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1700","metadata":false},{"id":82838,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1701","catch_line":"Organization of police forces","url":"\/15.2-1701\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1701","metadata":false},{"id":73443,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1702","catch_line":"Referendum required prior to establishment of county police force","url":"\/15.2-1702\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1702","metadata":false},{"id":81008,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1703","catch_line":"Referendum to abolish county police force","url":"\/15.2-1703\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1703","metadata":false},{"id":74490,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1704","catch_line":"Powers and duties of police force","url":"\/15.2-1704\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1704","metadata":false},{"id":78495,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1705","catch_line":"Minimum qualifications; waiver","url":"\/15.2-1705\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1705","metadata":false},{"id":85175,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1706","catch_line":"Certification through training required for all law-enforcement officers; waiver of requirements","url":"\/15.2-1706\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1706","metadata":false},{"id":65694,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1707","catch_line":"Decertification of law-enforcement officers and jail officers","url":"\/15.2-1707\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1707","metadata":false},{"id":69038,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1708","catch_line":"Notice of decertification; decertification review process","url":"\/15.2-1708\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1708","metadata":false},{"id":71374,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1709","catch_line":"Employer immunity from liability; disclosure of information regarding former deputy sheriffs and law-enforcement officers","url":"\/15.2-1709\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1709","metadata":false},{"id":59628,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1710","catch_line":"Fees and other compensation","url":"\/15.2-1710\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1710","metadata":false},{"id":86731,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1710.1","catch_line":"Arrest or summons quota prohibited","url":"\/15.2-1710.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1710.1","metadata":false},{"id":63376,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1711","catch_line":"Providing legal fees and expenses for law-enforcement officers; repayment to locality of two-thirds of amount by Compensation Board","url":"\/15.2-1711\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1711","metadata":false},{"id":63610,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1712","catch_line":"Employment of off-duty officers","url":"\/15.2-1712\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1712","metadata":false},{"id":77061,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1713","catch_line":"Localities authorized to offer and pay rewards in felony and misdemeanor cases","url":"\/15.2-1713\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1713","metadata":false},{"id":87347,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1713.1","catch_line":"Local \"Crime Stoppers\" programs; confidentiality","url":"\/15.2-1713.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1713.1","metadata":false},{"id":60435,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1714","catch_line":"Establishing police lines, perimeters, or barricades","url":"\/15.2-1714\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1714","metadata":false},{"id":81983,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1715","catch_line":"Authority to declare Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdictions; expenditure of funds","url":"\/15.2-1715\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1715","metadata":false},{"id":73688,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to DUI and related incidents","url":"\/15.2-1716\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716","metadata":false},{"id":54447,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716.1","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to terrorism hoax incident, bomb threat, or malicious activation of fire alarm","url":"\/15.2-1716.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716.1","metadata":false},{"id":61242,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716.2","catch_line":"Methamphetamine lab cleanup costs; localities may charge for reimbursement","url":"\/15.2-1716.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716.2","metadata":false},{"id":63062,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1717","catch_line":"Preventing interference with pupils at schools","url":"\/15.2-1717\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1717","metadata":false},{"id":75499,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1717.1","catch_line":"Designation of police to enforce trespass violations","url":"\/15.2-1717.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1717.1","metadata":false},{"id":86283,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718","catch_line":"Receipt of missing child reports","url":"\/15.2-1718\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718","metadata":false},{"id":82937,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718.1","catch_line":"Receipt of missing senior adult reports","url":"\/15.2-1718.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718.1","metadata":false},{"id":68631,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718.2","catch_line":"Receipt of critically missing adult reports","url":"\/15.2-1718.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718.2","metadata":false},{"id":85242,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1719","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed property in possession of sheriff or police","url":"\/15.2-1719\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1719","metadata":false},{"id":81997,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1720","catch_line":"Localities authorized to license bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices; disposition of unclaimed bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices","url":"\/15.2-1720\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1720","metadata":false},{"id":77275,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of sheriff or police","url":"\/15.2-1721\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721","metadata":false},{"id":61487,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721.1","catch_line":"Acquisition of military property by localities","url":"\/15.2-1721.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721.1","metadata":false},{"id":59331,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1722","catch_line":"Certain records to be kept by sheriffs and chiefs of police","url":"\/15.2-1722\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1722","metadata":false},{"id":67755,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1722.1","catch_line":"Prohibited practices; collection of data","url":"\/15.2-1722.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1722.1","metadata":false},{"id":70576,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723","catch_line":"Validation of certain police forces","url":"\/15.2-1723\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723","metadata":false},{"id":60551,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723.1","catch_line":"Body-worn camera system","url":"\/15.2-1723.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723.1","metadata":false},{"id":78195,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Facial recognition technology; approval","url":"\/15.2-1723.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81997,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1720","catch_line":"Localities authorized to license bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices; disposition of unclaimed bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices","url":"\/15.2-1720\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1720","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":61487,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721.1","catch_line":"Acquisition of military property by localities","url":"\/15.2-1721.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1721\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1990. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 324 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1990 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>; in 2015, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?151+ful+CHAP0220\">220<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":65104,"section_number":"15.2-1123.1","catch_line":"Lynchburg Regional Airport police department","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1123.1\/"},{"id":85242,"section_number":"15.2-1719","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed property in possession of sheriff or police","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1719\/"},{"id":72509,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:4","catch_line":"Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.1_4\/"},{"id":80479,"section_number":"19.2-152.15","catch_line":"Return or disposal of firearms","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.15\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":85242,"section_number":"15.2-1719","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed property in possession of sheriff or police","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1719\/"},{"id":58539,"section_number":"55.1-2500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2500\/"}],"permalink":{"id":153863,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77275,"identifier":"15.2-1721","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721","url":"\/15.2-1721\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1721\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721","dublin_core":{"Title":"Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of sheriff or police","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1721","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Any <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> may destroy unclaimed firearms and other weapons which have been in the <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement agencies for a period of more than 120 days. For the purposes of this section, &#8220;unclaimed firearms and other weapons&#8221; means any firearm or other weapon belonging to another which has been acquired by a <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officer pursuant to his duties, which is not needed in any criminal <span class=\"dictionary\">prosecution<\/span>, which has not been claimed by its rightful owner and which the State Treasurer has indicated will be declined if remitted under the Virginia <span class=\"dictionary\">Disposition<\/span> of Unclaimed Property Act (\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/55.1-2500\/\">55.1-2500<\/a> et seq.).\n\t\tAt the discretion of the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized agents, unclaimed firearms and other weapons may be destroyed by any means which renders the firearms and other weapons permanently inoperable. Prior to the destruction of such firearms and other weapons, the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized agents shall comply with the notice provision contained in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Disposal of unclaimed property in possession of sheriff or police\" href=\"\/15.2-1719\/\">15.2-1719<\/a>.\n\t\tIn lieu of destroying any such unclaimed firearm, the <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> may donate the firearm to the Department of Forensic Science, upon agreement of the Department.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDISPOSAL OF UNCLAIMED FIREARMS OR OTHER WEAPONS IN POSSESSION OF SHERIFF OR\nPOLICE (\u00a7 15.2-1721)\n\nAny locality may destroy unclaimed firearms and other weapons which have been in\nthe possession of law-enforcement agencies for a period of more than 120 days.\nFor the purposes of this section, &#8220;unclaimed firearms and other\nweapons&#8221; means any firearm or other weapon belonging to another which has\nbeen acquired by a law-enforcement officer pursuant to his duties, which is not\nneeded in any criminal prosecution, which has not been claimed by its rightful\nowner and which the State Treasurer has indicated will be declined if remitted\nunder the Virginia Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (\u00a7 55.1-2500 et seq.).\n\t\tAt the discretion of the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized\nagents, unclaimed firearms and other weapons may be destroyed by any means which\nrenders the firearms and other weapons permanently inoperable. Prior to the\ndestruction of such firearms and other weapons, the chief of police, sheriff, or\ntheir duly authorized agents shall comply with the notice provision contained in\n\u00a7 15.2-1719.\n\t\tIn lieu of destroying any such unclaimed firearm, the locality may donate the\nfirearm to the Department of Forensic Science, upon agreement of the Department.\n\nHISTORY: 1990, c. 324, \u00a7 15.1-133.01:1; 1997, c. 587; 2015, c. 220.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}