{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-433.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-433.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-433.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-433.2.html"}],"law_id":56135,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56135,"structure_id":14611,"section_number":"18.2-433.2","catch_line":"Paramilitary activity prohibited; penalty","history":"1987, c. 720; 2020, c. 601; 2022, cc. 37, 38.","full_text":"A\n\nA person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity, punishable as a Class 5 felony, if he:1\n\nTeaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, knowing or having reason to know or intending that such training will be employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder;2\n\nAssembles with one or more persons for the purpose of training with, practicing with, or being instructed in the use of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, intending to employ such training for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder; or3\n\nViolates subsection A of § 18.2-282 while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the intent to intimidate any person or group of persons.B\n\nThe provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any member of a lawfully recognized military color guard, honor guard, or similar organization, or a member of a veterans service organization that is congressionally chartered or officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, when such member is participating in a (i) training or educational exercise offered by such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent or (ii) funeral or public ceremony such as a parade or dedication ceremony on behalf of such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":205725,"text":"A person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity, punishable as a Class 5 felony, if he:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":205726,"text":"Teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, knowing or having reason to know or intending that such training will be employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":205727,"text":"Assembles with one or more persons for the purpose of training with, practicing with, or being instructed in the use of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, intending to employ such training for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":205728,"text":"Violates subsection A of § 18.2-282 while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the intent to intimidate any person or group of persons.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":205729,"text":"The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any member of a lawfully recognized military color guard, honor guard, or similar organization, or a member of a veterans service organization that is congressionally chartered or officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, when such member is participating in a (i) training or educational exercise offered by such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent or (ii) funeral or public ceremony such as a parade or dedication ceremony on behalf of such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14611,"edition_id":1,"name":"Unlawful Paramilitary Activity","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14570,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:53","permalink":{"id":168155,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14611,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/9\/8","url":"\/18.2\/9\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14570,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Against Peace and Order","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:42","permalink":{"id":167995,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14570,"identifier":"9","token":"18.2\/9","url":"\/18.2\/9\/","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":80565,"structure_id":14611,"section_number":"18.2-433.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/18.2-433.1\/","token":"18.2\/9\/8\/18.2-433.1","metadata":false},{"id":56135,"structure_id":14611,"section_number":"18.2-433.2","catch_line":"Paramilitary activity prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-433.2\/","token":"18.2\/9\/8\/18.2-433.2","metadata":false},{"id":77479,"structure_id":14611,"section_number":"18.2-433.3","catch_line":"Exceptions","url":"\/18.2-433.3\/","token":"18.2\/9\/8\/18.2-433.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":80565,"structure_id":14611,"section_number":"18.2-433.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/18.2-433.1\/","token":"18.2\/9\/8\/18.2-433.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":77479,"structure_id":14611,"section_number":"18.2-433.3","catch_line":"Exceptions","url":"\/18.2-433.3\/","token":"18.2\/9\/8\/18.2-433.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-433.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1987. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 720 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 1987 \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 2020, chapter 601<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 37<\/a> and 38<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80246,"section_number":"17.1-805","catch_line":"Adoption of initial discretionary sentencing guideline midpoints","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-805\/"},{"id":61280,"section_number":"19.2-392.02","catch_line":"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.02\/"},{"id":63586,"section_number":"53.1-202.3","catch_line":"Rate at which sentence credits may be earned; prerequisites","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-202.3\/"},{"id":58640,"section_number":"53.1-40.02","catch_line":"Conditional release of terminally ill prisoners","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-40.02\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":73757,"section_number":"18.2-282","catch_line":"Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-282\/"}],"permalink":{"id":168161,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56135,"identifier":"18.2-433.2","token":"18.2\/9\/8\/18.2-433.2","url":"\/18.2-433.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-433.2\/","token":"18.2\/9\/8\/18.2-433.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Paramilitary activity prohibited; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-433.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity, punishable as a Class 5 felony<\/span>, if he: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any firearm<\/span>, explosive or incendiary device<\/span>, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, knowing or having reason to know or intending that such training will be employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Assembles with one or more persons for the purpose of training with, practicing with, or being instructed in the use of any firearm<\/span>, explosive or incendiary device<\/span>, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, intending to employ such training for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Violates subsection A of § 18.2-282<\/a> while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the intent<\/span> to intimidate any person or group of persons. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any member of a lawfully recognized military color guard, honor guard, or similar organization, or a member of a veterans service organization that is congressionally chartered or officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, when such member is participating in a (i) training or educational exercise offered by such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious<\/span> intent<\/span> or (ii) funeral or public ceremony such as a parade or dedication ceremony on behalf of such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious<\/span> intent<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPARAMILITARY ACTIVITY PROHIBITED; PENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-433.2)\n\nA. A person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity, punishable as a Class 5\nfelony, if he:\n\n 1. Teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making\n of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of\n causing injury or death to persons, knowing or having reason to know or\n intending that such training will be employed for use in, or in furtherance\n of, a civil disorder;\n\n 2. Assembles with one or more persons for the purpose of training with,\n practicing with, or being instructed in the use of any firearm, explosive or\n incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons,\n intending to employ such training for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil\n disorder; or\n\n 3. Violates subsection A of § 18.2-282 while assembled with one or more\n persons for the purpose of and with the intent to intimidate any person or\n group of persons.\n\nB. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any member of a lawfully\nrecognized military color guard, honor guard, or similar organization, or a\nmember of a veterans service organization that is congressionally chartered or\nofficially recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, when such\nmember is participating in a (i) training or educational exercise offered by\nsuch color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service\norganization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent\nor (ii) funeral or public ceremony such as a parade or dedication ceremony on\nbehalf of such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such\nveterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with\nmalicious intent.\n\nHISTORY: 1987, c. 720; 2020, c. 601; 2022, cc. 37, 38.","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}}