{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-308.7.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-308.7.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-308.7.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-308.7.html"}],"law_id":84194,"edition_id":1,"section_id":84194,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.7","catch_line":"Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18; penalty","history":"1993, cc. 467, 494; 2003, c. 976; 2004, c. 995.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, “handgun” means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand and “assault firearm” means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which 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 which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tThis section shall not apply to:\n\n1\n\nAny person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in the home or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or (iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the landowner’s written permission on his person while on such property;2\n\nAny person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported;3\n\nAny person actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting area or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; and4\n\nAny person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":301758,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, “handgun” means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand and “assault firearm” means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which 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 which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tThis section shall not apply to:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":301759,"text":"Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in the home or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or (iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the landowner’s written permission on his person while on such property;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":301760,"text":"Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":301761,"text":"Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting area or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; and","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":301762,"text":"Any person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13912,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Illegal Weapons","identifier":"7","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12973,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:16","permalink":{"id":167193,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13912,"identifier":"7","token":"18.2\/7\/7","url":"\/18.2\/7\/7\/","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":58832,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1","catch_line":"Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1","metadata":false},{"id":81568,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:1","catch_line":"Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearms by persons acquitted by reason of insanity; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.1_1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":86450,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:2","catch_line":"Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm by persons adjudicated legally incompetent or mentally incapacitated; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.1_2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":81410,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:3","catch_line":"Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm by persons involuntarily admitted or ordered to outpatient treatment; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.1_3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1_3","metadata":false},{"id":72509,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:4","catch_line":"Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders; penalties","url":"\/18.2-308.1_4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1_4","metadata":false},{"id":66125,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:5","catch_line":"Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons convicted of certain drug offenses prohibited","url":"\/18.2-308.1_5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1_5","metadata":false},{"id":73257,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:6","catch_line":"Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearms by persons subject to substantial risk orders; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.1_6\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1_6","metadata":false},{"id":81270,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:7","catch_line":"Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm by persons enrolled into the Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.1_7\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1_7","metadata":false},{"id":81427,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.1:8","catch_line":"Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery of a family or household member; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.1_8\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.1_8","metadata":false},{"id":56786,"structure_id":13912,"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","url":"\/18.2-308.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.2","metadata":false},{"id":54959,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:01","catch_line":"Possession or transportation of certain firearms by certain persons","url":"\/18.2-308.2_01\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.2_01","metadata":false},{"id":61558,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:1","catch_line":"Prohibiting the selling, etc., of firearms to certain persons; penalties","url":"\/18.2-308.2_1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":80010,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:2","catch_line":"Criminal history record information check required for the transfer of certain firearms","url":"\/18.2-308.2_2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":79132,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:3","catch_line":"Criminal background check required for employees of a gun dealer to transfer firearms; exemptions; penalties","url":"\/18.2-308.2_3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.2_3","metadata":false},{"id":71509,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:4","catch_line":"Firearm verification check; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.2_4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.2_4","metadata":false},{"id":56633,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:5","catch_line":"Criminal history record information check required to sell firearm; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.2_5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.2_5","metadata":false},{"id":83619,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.3","catch_line":"Use or attempted use of restricted ammunition in commission or attempted commission of crimes prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.3","metadata":false},{"id":80658,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.4","catch_line":"Possession of firearms while in possession of certain substances","url":"\/18.2-308.4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.4","metadata":false},{"id":59300,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.5","catch_line":"Manufacture, import, sale, transfer or possession of plastic firearm prohibited","url":"\/18.2-308.5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.5","metadata":false},{"id":76780,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.5:1","catch_line":"Manufacture, importation, sale, possession, transfer, or transportation of auto sears and trigger activators prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.5_1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.5_1","metadata":false},{"id":68711,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.6","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-308.6\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.6","metadata":false},{"id":84194,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.7","catch_line":"Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.7\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.7","metadata":false},{"id":77067,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.8","catch_line":"Importation, sale, possession or transfer of Striker 12's prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.8\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.8","metadata":false},{"id":80147,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-309","catch_line":"Furnishing certain weapons to minors; penalty","url":"\/18.2-309\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-309","metadata":false},{"id":66485,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-310","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-310\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-310","metadata":false},{"id":72106,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-311","catch_line":"Prohibiting the selling or having in possession blackjacks, etc","url":"\/18.2-311\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-311","metadata":false},{"id":83171,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-311.1","catch_line":"Removing, altering, etc., serial number or other identification on firearm; selling, giving, etc., or possessing firearm without serial number; penalties","url":"\/18.2-311.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-311.1","metadata":false},{"id":70367,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-311.2","catch_line":"Third conviction of firearm offenses; penalty","url":"\/18.2-311.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-311.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":68711,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.6","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-308.6\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.6","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":77067,"structure_id":13912,"section_number":"18.2-308.8","catch_line":"Importation, sale, possession or transfer of Striker 12's prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-308.8\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.8","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-308.7\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1993. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 467 and 494 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 1993 \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 2003, chapter 976<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 995<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":63788,"section_number":"16.1-228","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-228\/"},{"id":66525,"section_number":"16.1-248.1","catch_line":"Criteria for detention or shelter care","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-248.1\/"},{"id":61558,"section_number":"18.2-308.2:1","catch_line":"Prohibiting the selling, etc., of firearms to certain persons; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.2_1\/"},{"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":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":false,"permalink":{"id":167279,"object_type":"law","relational_id":84194,"identifier":"18.2-308.7","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.7","url":"\/18.2-308.7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-308.7\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-308.7","dublin_core":{"Title":"Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-308.7","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault<\/span> firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, “handgun” means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material<\/span> from one or more barrels when held in one hand and “assault<\/span> firearm” means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which 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 which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>.\n\t\tThis section shall not apply to:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in the home or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or (iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the landowner’s written permission on his person while on such property; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting area or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Any person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOSSESSION OR TRANSPORTATION OF CERTAIN FIREARMS BY PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18;\nPENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-308.7)\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and\nintentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the\nCommonwealth. For the purposes of this section, “handgun” means any\npistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended to\nfire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible\nmaterial from one or more barrels when held in one hand and “assault\nfirearm” means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which\nexpels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible\nmaterial and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will\nhold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to\naccommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a\nmagazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for\nwhich it is chambered. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1\nmisdemeanor.\n\t\tThis section shall not apply to:\n\n1. Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in the home\nor on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or (iii) while\non the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior\npermission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the\nlandowner’s written permission on his person while on such property;\n\n2. Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a\nlawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons\nare unloaded while being transported;\n\n3. Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting\narea or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being\ntransported; and\n\n4. Any person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United\nStates or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state.\n\nHISTORY: 1993, cc. 467, 494; 2003, c. 976; 2004, c. 995.","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}}