{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-287.4.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-287.4.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-287.4.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-287.4.html"}],"law_id":74480,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74480,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287.4","catch_line":"Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty","history":"1991, c. 570; 1992, c. 790; 2003, c. 976; 2004, c. 995; 2005, c. 160; 2007, c. 813; 2016, c. 257.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (b) shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered on or about his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.\n\t\tThe provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement officers, licensed security guards, military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, or any person having a valid concealed handgun permit or to any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or lawful recreational shooting activities at an established shooting range or shooting contest. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tThe exemptions set forth in \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-308 and 18.2-308.016 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":267657,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (b) shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered on or about his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.\n\t\tThe provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement officers, licensed security guards, military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, or any person having a valid concealed handgun permit or to any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or lawful recreational shooting activities at an established shooting range or shooting contest. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tThe exemptions set forth in \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-308 and 18.2-308.016 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-287.4\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1991. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 570 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 1991 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1992, chapter 790; in 2003, chapter 976<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 995<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 160<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 813<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 257<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86583,"section_number":"18.2-46.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-46.1\/"},{"id":75668,"section_number":"19.2-386.28","catch_line":"Forfeiture of weapons, etc., that are concealed, possessed, transported, or carried in violation of law","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.28\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56600,"section_number":"18.2-308","catch_line":"Carrying concealed weapons; exceptions; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308\/"},{"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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":167023,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74480,"identifier":"18.2-287.4","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.4","url":"\/18.2-287.4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-287.4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.4","dublin_core":{"Title":"Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-287.4","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material<\/span> and is equipped at the time of the offense<\/span> with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (b) shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered on or about his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.\n\t\tThe provisions of this section shall not apply to law<\/span>-enforcement officers, licensed security guards, military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, or any person having a valid concealed handgun permit or to any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or lawful recreational shooting activities at an established shooting range or shooting contest. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>.\n\t\tThe exemptions set forth in \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-308<\/a> and 18.2-308.016<\/a> shall apply, mutatis mutandis<\/span>, to the provisions of this section.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCARRYING LOADED FIREARMS IN PUBLIC AREAS PROHIBITED; PENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-287.4)\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic\ncenter-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action\nof an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the\noffense with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or\ndesigned by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a\nfolding stock or (b) shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven\nrounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered on or about his\nperson on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in\nany public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public\nin the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News,\nNorfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax,\nHenrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.\n\t\tThe provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement officers,\nlicensed security guards, military personnel in the performance of their lawful\nduties, or any person having a valid concealed handgun permit or to any person\nactually engaged in lawful hunting or lawful recreational shooting activities at\nan established shooting range or shooting contest. Any person violating the\nprovisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tThe exemptions set forth in \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-308 and 18.2-308.016 shall apply,\nmutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section.\n\nHISTORY: 1991, c. 570; 1992, c. 790; 2003, c. 976; 2004, c. 995; 2005, c. 160;\n2007, c. 813; 2016, c. 257.","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}}