{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-283.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-283.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-283.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-283.2.html"}],"law_id":80457,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80457,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-283.2","catch_line":"Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty","history":"2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 527, 548; 2023, c. 810.","full_text":"A\n\nFor the purposes of this section, “Capitol Square and the surrounding area” means the grounds, land, real property, and improvements in the City of Richmond bounded by Bank, Governor, Broad, and Ninth Streets, and the sidewalks of Bank Street extending from 50 feet west of the Pocahontas Building entrance to 50 feet east of the entrance of the Capitol of Virginia.B\n\nIt is unlawful for any person to carry any firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 or explosive material as defined in § 18.2-308.2 within (i) the Capitol of Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area; (iii) any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; or (iv) any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.C\n\nA violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any firearm or explosive material carried in violation of this section shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and disposed of as provided in § 19.2-386.28.D\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to the following while acting in the conduct of such person’s official duties: (i) any law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101; (ii) any authorized security personnel; (iii) any active military personnel; (iv) any fire marshal appointed pursuant to § 27-30 when such fire marshal has police powers provided by § 27-34.2:1; or (v) any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public institution of higher education while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.E\n\nThe provisions of clause (ii) of subsection B shall not apply to (i) any State Police officer who is off-duty or (ii) any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with subsection C of § 18.2-308.016.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection B shall not apply to (a) any State Police officer who is off-duty; (b) any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with subsection C of § 18.2-308.016; (c) any retired law-enforcement officer who has participated in annual firearms training, has qualified pursuant to subsection C of § 18.2-308.016, and is visiting a gun range owned or leased by the Commonwealth; (d) any of the following employees authorized to carry a firearm while acting in the conduct of such employee’s official duties: (1) a bail bondsman as defined in § 9.1-185, (2) an employee of the Department of Corrections or a state juvenile correctional facility, (3) an employee of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, or (4) an employee of the Department of Wildlife Resources; (e) any individual carrying a weapon into a courthouse who is exempt under § 18.2-283.1; (f) any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education; (g) any state park; or (h) any magistrate acting in the conduct of the magistrate’s official duties.F\n\nNotice of the provisions of this section shall be posted conspicuously along the boundary of Capitol Square and the surrounding area and at the public entrance of each location listed in subsection B, and no person shall be convicted of an offense under subsection B if such notice is not posted at such public entrance, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions in subsection B.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":288210,"text":"For the purposes of this section, “Capitol Square and the surrounding area” means the grounds, land, real property, and improvements in the City of Richmond bounded by Bank, Governor, Broad, and Ninth Streets, and the sidewalks of Bank Street extending from 50 feet west of the Pocahontas Building entrance to 50 feet east of the entrance of the Capitol of Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":288211,"text":"It is unlawful for any person to carry any firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 or explosive material as defined in § 18.2-308.2 within (i) the Capitol of Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area; (iii) any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; or (iv) any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":288212,"text":"A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any firearm or explosive material carried in violation of this section shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and disposed of as provided in § 19.2-386.28.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":288213,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following while acting in the conduct of such person’s official duties: (i) any law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101; (ii) any authorized security personnel; (iii) any active military personnel; (iv) any fire marshal appointed pursuant to § 27-30 when such fire marshal has police powers provided by § 27-34.2:1; or (v) any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public institution of higher education while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":288214,"text":"The provisions of clause (ii) of subsection B shall not apply to (i) any State Police officer who is off-duty or (ii) any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with subsection C of § 18.2-308.016.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection B shall not apply to (a) any State Police officer who is off-duty; (b) any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with subsection C of § 18.2-308.016; (c) any retired law-enforcement officer who has participated in annual firearms training, has qualified pursuant to subsection C of § 18.2-308.016, and is visiting a gun range owned or leased by the Commonwealth; (d) any of the following employees authorized to carry a firearm while acting in the conduct of such employee’s official duties: (1) a bail bondsman as defined in § 9.1-185, (2) an employee of the Department of Corrections or a state juvenile correctional facility, (3) an employee of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, or (4) an employee of the Department of Wildlife Resources; (e) any individual carrying a weapon into a courthouse who is exempt under § 18.2-283.1; (f) any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education; (g) any state park; or (h) any magistrate acting in the conduct of the magistrate’s official duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":288215,"text":"Notice of the provisions of this section shall be posted conspicuously along the boundary of Capitol Square and the surrounding area and at the public entrance of each location listed in subsection B, and no person shall be convicted of an offense under subsection B if such notice is not posted at such public entrance, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions in subsection B.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13796,"edition_id":1,"name":"Dangerous Use of Firearms or Other Weapons","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12973,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:54","permalink":{"id":166953,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13796,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/7\/4","url":"\/18.2\/7\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12973,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Health and Safety","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":166501,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12973,"identifier":"7","token":"18.2\/7","url":"\/18.2\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":62694,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-279","catch_line":"Discharging firearms or missiles within or at building or dwelling house; penalty","url":"\/18.2-279\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-279","metadata":false},{"id":83677,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-280","catch_line":"Willfully discharging firearms in public places","url":"\/18.2-280\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-280","metadata":false},{"id":86429,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-281","catch_line":"Setting spring gun or other deadly weapon","url":"\/18.2-281\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-281","metadata":false},{"id":73757,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-282","catch_line":"Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty","url":"\/18.2-282\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-282","metadata":false},{"id":54804,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-282.1","catch_line":"Brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate; penalty","url":"\/18.2-282.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-282.1","metadata":false},{"id":71593,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-283","catch_line":"Carrying dangerous weapon to place of religious worship","url":"\/18.2-283\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283","metadata":false},{"id":60587,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-283.1","catch_line":"Carrying weapon into courthouse","url":"\/18.2-283.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283.1","metadata":false},{"id":80457,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-283.2","catch_line":"Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-283.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283.2","metadata":false},{"id":55012,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-284","catch_line":"Selling or giving toy firearms","url":"\/18.2-284\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-284","metadata":false},{"id":72975,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-285","catch_line":"Hunting with firearms while under influence of intoxicant or narcotic drug; penalty","url":"\/18.2-285\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-285","metadata":false},{"id":58111,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-286","catch_line":"Shooting in or across road or in street","url":"\/18.2-286\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-286","metadata":false},{"id":86343,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-286.1","catch_line":"Shooting from vehicles so as to endanger persons; penalty","url":"\/18.2-286.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-286.1","metadata":false},{"id":79205,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-287\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287","metadata":false},{"id":70707,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287.01","catch_line":"Carrying weapon in air carrier airport terminal","url":"\/18.2-287.01\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.01","metadata":false},{"id":77735,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-287.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.1","metadata":false},{"id":66302,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287.2","catch_line":"Wearing of body armor while committing a crime; penalty","url":"\/18.2-287.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.2","metadata":false},{"id":67438,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-287.3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.3","metadata":false},{"id":74480,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287.4","catch_line":"Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-287.4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.4","metadata":false},{"id":71320,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287.5","catch_line":"Reporting lost or stolen firearms; civil penalty","url":"\/18.2-287.5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":60587,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-283.1","catch_line":"Carrying weapon into courthouse","url":"\/18.2-283.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55012,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-284","catch_line":"Selling or giving toy firearms","url":"\/18.2-284\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-284","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-283.2\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2023, chapter 810<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":60587,"section_number":"18.2-283.1","catch_line":"Carrying weapon into courthouse","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-283.1\/"},{"id":77788,"section_number":"18.2-308.016","catch_line":"Retired law-enforcement officers; carrying a concealed handgun","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.016\/"},{"id":56786,"section_number":"18.2-308.2","catch_line":"Possession or transportation of firearms, firearms ammunition, stun weapons, explosives or concealed weapons by convicted felons; penalties; petition for restoration order; when issued","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.2\/"},{"id":80010,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:2","catch_line":"Criminal history record information check required for the transfer of certain firearms","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.2_2\/"},{"id":69739,"section_number":"27-30","catch_line":"Appointment of fire marshal","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-30\/"},{"id":66294,"section_number":"27-34.2:1","catch_line":"Police powers of fire marshals","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-34.2_1\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"},{"id":79481,"section_number":"9.1-185","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-185\/"}],"permalink":{"id":166983,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80457,"identifier":"18.2-283.2","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283.2","url":"\/18.2-283.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-283.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-283.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> For the purposes of this section, “Capitol Square and the surrounding area<\/span>” means the grounds, land, real property, and improvements in the City of Richmond bounded by Bank, Governor, Broad, and Ninth Streets, and the sidewalks of Bank Street extending from 50 feet west of the Pocahontas Building entrance to 50 feet east of the entrance of the Capitol of Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person to carry any firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2<\/a> or explosive material<\/span> as defined in § 18.2-308.2<\/a> within (i) the Capitol of Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area<\/span>; (iii) any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; or (iv) any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. Any firearm or explosive material<\/span> carried in violation of this section shall be subject to seizure by a law<\/span>-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and disposed of as provided in § 19.2-386.28<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following while acting in the conduct of such person’s official duties: (i) any law<\/span>-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101<\/a>; (ii) any authorized security personnel; (iii) any active military personnel; (iv) any fire marshal appointed pursuant to § 27-30<\/a> when such fire marshal has police powers provided by § 27-34.2:1<\/a>; or (v) any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public institution of higher education while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The provisions of clause (ii) of subsection B shall not apply to (i) any State Police officer who is off-duty or (ii) any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law<\/span>-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with subsection C of § 18.2-308.016<\/a>.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection B shall not apply to (a) any State Police officer who is off-duty; (b) any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law<\/span>-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with subsection C of § 18.2-308.016<\/a>; (c) any retired law<\/span>-enforcement officer who has participated in annual firearms training, has qualified pursuant to subsection C of § 18.2-308.016<\/a>, and is visiting a gun range owned or leased by the Commonwealth; (d) any of the following employees authorized to carry a firearm while acting in the conduct of such employee’s official duties: (1) a bail<\/span> bondsman as defined in § 9.1-185<\/a>, (2) an employee of the Department of Corrections or a state juvenile correctional facility, (3) an employee of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, or (4) an employee of the Department of Wildlife Resources; (e) any individual carrying a weapon into a courthouse who is exempt under § 18.2-283.1<\/a>; (f) any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education; (g) any state park; or (h) any magistrate<\/span> acting in the conduct of the magistrate<\/span>’s official duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Notice of the provisions of this section shall be posted conspicuously along the boundary of Capitol Square and the surrounding area<\/span> and at the public entrance of each location listed in subsection B, and no person shall be convicted of an offense<\/span> under subsection B if such notice is not posted at such public entrance, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions in subsection B. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCARRYING A FIREARM OR EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL WITHIN CAPITOL SQUARE AND THE\nSURROUNDING AREA, INTO A BUILDING OWNED OR LEASED BY THE COMMONWEALTH, ETC.;\nPENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-283.2)\n\nA. For the purposes of this section, “Capitol Square and the surrounding\narea” means the grounds, land, real property, and improvements in the City\nof Richmond bounded by Bank, Governor, Broad, and Ninth Streets, and the\nsidewalks of Bank Street extending from 50 feet west of the Pocahontas Building\nentrance to 50 feet east of the entrance of the Capitol of Virginia.\n\nB. It is unlawful for any person to carry any firearm as defined in §\n18.2-308.2:2 or explosive material as defined in § 18.2-308.2 within (i)\nthe Capitol of Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area; (iii) any\nbuilding owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; or (iv) any\noffice where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly\npresent for the purpose of performing their official duties.\n\nC. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any\nfirearm or explosive material carried in violation of this section shall be\nsubject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the\nCommonwealth and disposed of as provided in § 19.2-386.28.\n\nD. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following while acting\nin the conduct of such person’s official duties: (i) any law-enforcement\nofficer as defined in § 9.1-101; (ii) any authorized security personnel;\n(iii) any active military personnel; (iv) any fire marshal appointed pursuant to\n§ 27-30 when such fire marshal has police powers provided by §\n27-34.2:1; or (v) any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public\ninstitution of higher education while such member is participating in an\nofficial ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.\n\nE. The provisions of clause (ii) of subsection B shall not apply to (i) any\nState Police officer who is off-duty or (ii) any retired State Police officer\nwho has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the\nstandards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in\naccordance with subsection C of § 18.2-308.016.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection B shall not apply to\n(a) any State Police officer who is off-duty; (b) any retired State Police\nofficer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to\nthe standards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth,\nin accordance with subsection C of § 18.2-308.016; (c) any retired\nlaw-enforcement officer who has participated in annual firearms training, has\nqualified pursuant to subsection C of § 18.2-308.016, and is visiting a gun\nrange owned or leased by the Commonwealth; (d) any of the following employees\nauthorized to carry a firearm while acting in the conduct of such\nemployee’s official duties: (1) a bail bondsman as defined in §\n9.1-185, (2) an employee of the Department of Corrections or a state juvenile\ncorrectional facility, (3) an employee of the Department of Conservation and\nRecreation, or (4) an employee of the Department of Wildlife Resources; (e) any\nindividual carrying a weapon into a courthouse who is exempt under §\n18.2-283.1; (f) any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher\neducation; (g) any state park; or (h) any magistrate acting in the conduct of\nthe magistrate’s official duties.\n\nF. Notice of the provisions of this section shall be posted conspicuously along\nthe boundary of Capitol Square and the surrounding area and at the public\nentrance of each location listed in subsection B, and no person shall be\nconvicted of an offense under subsection B if such notice is not posted at such\npublic entrance, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions in\nsubsection B.\n\nHISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 527, 548; 2023, c. 810.","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}}