{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-311.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-311.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-311.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-311.1.html"}],"law_id":83171,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"1975, c. 590; 2024, c. 786.","full_text":"A\n\nIt is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to intentionally remove, alter, change, destroy, or obliterate in any manner or way or cause to be removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner or way the name of the maker, model, manufacturer’s or serial number, or any other identification required by federal law on any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.B\n\nIt is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly possess any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.C\n\nIt is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly sell, give, or distribute any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. A violation of this subsection is a Class 6 felony.D\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to antique firearms as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":298024,"text":"It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to intentionally remove, alter, change, destroy, or obliterate in any manner or way or cause to be removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner or way the name of the maker, model, manufacturer’s or serial number, or any other identification required by federal law on any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":298025,"text":"It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly possess any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":298026,"text":"It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly sell, give, or distribute any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. A violation of this subsection is a Class 6 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":298027,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to antique firearms as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"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; 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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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-311.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1975. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 590 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 1975 \u201cActs\u201d aren\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 2024, chapter 786<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":167299,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83171,"identifier":"18.2-311.1","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-311.1","url":"\/18.2-311.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-311.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/7\/18.2-311.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Removing, altering, etc., serial number or other identification on firearm; selling, giving, etc., or possessing firearm without serial number; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-311.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to intentionally remove, alter, change, destroy, or obliterate in any manner or way or cause to be removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner or way the name of the maker, model, manufacturer’s or serial number, or any other identification required by federal law<\/span> on any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly possess any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly sell, give, or distribute any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any manner. A violation of this subsection is a Class 6 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to antique firearms as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREMOVING, ALTERING, ETC., SERIAL NUMBER OR OTHER IDENTIFICATION ON FIREARM;\nSELLING, GIVING, ETC., OR POSSESSING FIREARM WITHOUT SERIAL NUMBER; PENALTIES\n(\u00a7 18.2-311.1)\n\nA. It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to\nintentionally remove, alter, change, destroy, or obliterate in any manner or way\nor cause to be removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated in any\nmanner or way the name of the maker, model, manufacturer’s or serial\nnumber, or any other identification required by federal law on any pistol,\nshotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm. A violation of this\nsubsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nB. It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly\npossess any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other firearm that has a\nserial number that has been removed, altered, changed, destroyed, or obliterated\nin any manner. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nC. It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation to knowingly\nsell, give, or distribute any pistol, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, or any other\nfirearm that has a serial number that has been removed, altered, changed,\ndestroyed, or obliterated in any manner. A violation of this subsection is a\nClass 6 felony.\n\nD. The provisions of this section shall not apply to antique firearms as defined\nin § 18.2-308.2:2.\n\nHISTORY: 1975, c. 590; 2024, c. 786.","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}}