{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-287.5.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-287.5.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-287.5.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-287.5.html"}],"law_id":71320,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71320,"structure_id":13796,"section_number":"18.2-287.5","catch_line":"Reporting lost or stolen firearms; civil penalty","history":"2020, c. 743.","full_text":"A\n\nIf a firearm is lost or stolen from a person who lawfully possessed it, then such person shall report the loss or theft to any local law-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police within 48 hours after such person discovers the loss or theft or is informed by a person with personal knowledge of the loss or theft. The law-enforcement agency shall enter such report information into the National Crime Information Center maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the loss or theft of an antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.B\n\nA violation of this section is punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $250. The attorney for the county, city, or town in which an alleged violation of this section has occurred is authorized to enforce the provisions of this section and may bring an action to recover the civil penalty, which shall be paid into the local treasury.C\n\nNo person who, in good faith, reports a lost or stolen firearm shall be held criminally or civilly liable for any damages from acts or omissions resulting from the loss or theft. This subsection shall not apply to any person who makes a report in violation of § 18.2-461.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":257099,"text":"If a firearm is lost or stolen from a person who lawfully possessed it, then such person shall report the loss or theft to any local law-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police within 48 hours after such person discovers the loss or theft or is informed by a person with personal knowledge of the loss or theft. The law-enforcement agency shall enter such report information into the National Crime Information Center maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the loss or theft of an antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":257100,"text":"A violation of this section is punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $250. The attorney for the county, city, or town in which an alleged violation of this section has occurred is authorized to enforce the provisions of this section and may bring an action to recover the civil penalty, which shall be paid into the local treasury.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":257101,"text":"No person who, in good faith, reports a lost or stolen firearm shall be held criminally or civilly liable for any damages from acts or omissions resulting from the loss or theft. This subsection shall not apply to any person who makes a report in violation of § 18.2-461.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"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":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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-287.5\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 743<\/a> 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.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":79594,"section_number":"18.2-461","catch_line":"Falsely summoning or giving false reports to law-enforcement officials","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-461\/"}],"permalink":{"id":167027,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71320,"identifier":"18.2-287.5","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.5","url":"\/18.2-287.5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-287.5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.5","dublin_core":{"Title":"Reporting lost or stolen firearms; civil penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-287.5","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> If a firearm is lost or stolen from a person who lawfully possessed it, then such person shall report the loss or theft to any local law<\/span>-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police within 48 hours after such person discovers the loss or theft or is informed by a person with personal knowledge of the loss or theft. The law<\/span>-enforcement agency shall enter such report information into the National Crime<\/span> Information Center maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the loss or theft of an antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A violation of this section is punishable by a civil penalty<\/span> of not more than $250. The attorney for the county, city, or town in which an alleged violation of this section has occurred is authorized to enforce the provisions of this section and may bring an action to recover the civil penalty<\/span>, which shall be paid into the local treasury. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No person who, in good faith, reports a lost or stolen firearm shall be held criminally or civilly liable for any damages<\/span> from acts or omissions resulting from the loss or theft. This subsection shall not apply to any person who makes a report in violation of § 18.2-461<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREPORTING LOST OR STOLEN FIREARMS; CIVIL PENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-287.5)\n\nA. If a firearm is lost or stolen from a person who lawfully possessed it, then\nsuch person shall report the loss or theft to any local law-enforcement agency\nor the Department of State Police within 48 hours after such person discovers\nthe loss or theft or is informed by a person with personal knowledge of the loss\nor theft. The law-enforcement agency shall enter such report information into\nthe National Crime Information Center maintained by the Federal Bureau of\nInvestigation. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the loss or\ntheft of an antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.\n\nB. A violation of this section is punishable by a civil penalty of not more than\n$250. The attorney for the county, city, or town in which an alleged violation\nof this section has occurred is authorized to enforce the provisions of this\nsection and may bring an action to recover the civil penalty, which shall be\npaid into the local treasury.\n\nC. No person who, in good faith, reports a lost or stolen firearm shall be held\ncriminally or civilly liable for any damages from acts or omissions resulting\nfrom the loss or theft. This subsection shall not apply to any person who makes\na report in violation of § 18.2-461.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, c. 743.","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}}