{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-56.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-56.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-56.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-56.1.html"}],"law_id":75271,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75271,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.1","catch_line":"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting","history":"1977, c. 194; 1985, c. 182; 1991, c. 384; 2010, c. 183; 2011, c. 684; 2014, cc. 444, 579; 2020, c. 958.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person to handle recklessly any firearm so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.A1\n\nAny person who handles any firearm in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life and causes the serious bodily injury of another person resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment is guilty of a Class 6 felony.B\n\nIf this section is violated while the person is engaged in hunting, trapping or pursuing game, the trial judge may, in addition to the penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, revoke such person’s hunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap while possessing a firearm for a period of one to five years.C\n\nUpon a revocation pursuant to subsection B hereof, the clerk of the court in which the case is tried pursuant to this section shall forthwith send to the Department of Wildlife Resources (i) such person’s revoked hunting or trapping license or notice that such person’s privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and (ii) a notice of the length of revocation imposed. The Department shall keep a list which shall be furnished upon request to any law-enforcement officer, the attorney for the Commonwealth or court in this Commonwealth, and such list shall contain the names and addresses of all persons whose license or privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and the court which took such action.D\n\nIf any person whose license to hunt and trap, or whose privilege to hunt and trap while in possession of a firearm, has been revoked pursuant to this section, thereafter hunts or traps while in possession of a firearm, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in addition to any penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, the trial judge may revoke such person’s hunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm for a period of one year to life. The clerk of the court shall notify the Department of Wildlife Resources as is provided in subsection C herein.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":270280,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to handle recklessly any firearm so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":270281,"text":"Any person who handles any firearm in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life and causes the serious bodily injury of another person resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment is guilty of a Class 6 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["A1"],"prefix":"A1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B"},"2":{"id":270282,"text":"If this section is violated while the person is engaged in hunting, trapping or pursuing game, the trial judge may, in addition to the penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, revoke such person’s hunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap while possessing a firearm for a period of one to five years.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"C"},"3":{"id":270283,"text":"Upon a revocation pursuant to subsection B hereof, the clerk of the court in which the case is tried pursuant to this section shall forthwith send to the Department of Wildlife Resources (i) such person’s revoked hunting or trapping license or notice that such person’s privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and (ii) a notice of the length of revocation imposed. The Department shall keep a list which shall be furnished upon request to any law-enforcement officer, the attorney for the Commonwealth or court in this Commonwealth, and such list shall contain the names and addresses of all persons whose license or privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and the court which took such action.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"4":{"id":270284,"text":"If any person whose license to hunt and trap, or whose privilege to hunt and trap while in possession of a firearm, has been revoked pursuant to this section, thereafter hunts or traps while in possession of a firearm, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in addition to any penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, the trial judge may revoke such person’s hunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm for a period of one year to life. The clerk of the court shall notify the Department of Wildlife Resources as is provided in subsection C herein.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Assaults and Bodily Woundings","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:39","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:39","permalink":{"id":164963,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13717,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13100,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Against the Person","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":164763,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13100,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/","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":72243,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51","catch_line":"Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc","url":"\/18.2-51\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51","metadata":false},{"id":72165,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.1","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury to law-enforcement officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel; 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penalty","url":"\/18.2-54.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54.2","metadata":false},{"id":82347,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-55","catch_line":"Bodily injuries caused by prisoners, state juvenile probationers and state and local adult probationers or adult parolees","url":"\/18.2-55\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55","metadata":false},{"id":69835,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-55.1","catch_line":"Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability","url":"\/18.2-55.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55.1","metadata":false},{"id":86902,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56","catch_line":"Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56","metadata":false},{"id":75271,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.1","catch_line":"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting","url":"\/18.2-56.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.1","metadata":false},{"id":57206,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.2","catch_line":"Allowing access to firearms by children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.2","metadata":false},{"id":64628,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57","catch_line":"Assault and battery; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57","metadata":false},{"id":58241,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.01","catch_line":"Pointing laser at law-enforcement officer unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.01\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.01","metadata":false},{"id":67857,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.02","catch_line":"Disarming a law-enforcement or correctional officer; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.02\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.02","metadata":false},{"id":65560,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-57.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.1","metadata":false},{"id":72208,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.2","catch_line":"Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.2","metadata":false},{"id":59318,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.3","catch_line":"Persons charged with first offense of assault and battery against a family or household member may be placed on local community-based probation; conditions; education and treatment programs; costs and fees; violations; discharge","url":"\/18.2-57.3\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.3","metadata":false},{"id":66795,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.4","catch_line":"Reporting findings of assault and battery to military family advocacy representatives","url":"\/18.2-57.4\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.4","metadata":false},{"id":70823,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.5","catch_line":"Certain matters not to constitute defenses","url":"\/18.2-57.5\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86902,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56","catch_line":"Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":57206,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.2","catch_line":"Allowing access to firearms by children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-56.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 194 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 1977 \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 1985, chapter 182; in 1991, chapter 384; in 2010, chapter 183<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 684<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 444<\/a> and 579<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 958<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86583,"section_number":"18.2-46.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-46.1\/"},{"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":54761,"section_number":"29.1-521.2","catch_line":"Violation of \u00a7 18.2-286 while hunting; revocation of license and privileges","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-521.2\/"},{"id":76993,"section_number":"29.1-523","catch_line":"Killing deer by use of certain lights; acts raising presumption of attempt to kill","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-523\/"},{"id":68411,"section_number":"29.1-525","catch_line":"Employment of lights under certain circumstances upon places used by deer","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-525\/"},{"id":75182,"section_number":"37.2-314","catch_line":"Background check required","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-314\/"},{"id":67357,"section_number":"37.2-416.1","catch_line":"Background checks required; adult substance abuse and mental health services","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-416.1\/"},{"id":61726,"section_number":"37.2-506.1","catch_line":"Background checks required; adult substance abuse and mental health services","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-506.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":165041,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75271,"identifier":"18.2-56.1","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.1","url":"\/18.2-56.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-56.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-56.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person to handle recklessly any firearm so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A1.<\/span> Any person who handles any firearm in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life and causes the serious bodily injury of another person resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment is guilty of a Class 6 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If this section is violated while the person is engaged in hunting, trapping or pursuing game, the trial<\/span> judge<\/span> may, in addition to the penalty<\/span> imposed by the jury<\/span> or the court<\/span> trying the case without a jury<\/span>, revoke such person’s hunting or trapping license and privileges<\/span> to hunt or trap while possessing a firearm for a period of one to five years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Upon a revocation<\/span> pursuant to subsection B hereof, the clerk of the court<\/span> in which the case is tried pursuant to this section shall forthwith send to the Department of Wildlife Resources (i) such person’s revoked hunting or trapping license or notice that such person’s privilege<\/span> to hunt or trap while in possession<\/span> of a firearm has been revoked and (ii) a notice of the length of revocation<\/span> imposed. The Department shall keep a list which shall be furnished upon request to any law<\/span>-enforcement officer, the attorney for the Commonwealth or court<\/span> in this Commonwealth, and such list shall contain the names and addresses of all persons whose license or privilege<\/span> to hunt or trap while in possession<\/span> of a firearm has been revoked and the court<\/span> which took such action. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If any person whose license to hunt and trap, or whose privilege<\/span> to hunt and trap while in possession<\/span> of a firearm, has been revoked pursuant to this section, thereafter hunts or traps while in possession<\/span> of a firearm, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>, and, in addition to any penalty<\/span> imposed by the jury<\/span> or the court<\/span> trying the case without a jury<\/span>, the trial<\/span> judge<\/span> may revoke such person’s hunting or trapping license and privileges<\/span> to hunt or trap while in possession<\/span> of a firearm for a period of one year to life. The clerk of the court<\/span> shall notify the Department of Wildlife Resources as is provided in subsection C herein. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRECKLESS HANDLING OF FIREARMS; RECKLESS HANDLING WHILE HUNTING (\u00a7 18.2-56.1)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any person to handle recklessly any firearm so as to\nendanger the life, limb or property of any person. Any person violating this\nsection shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nA1. Any person who handles any firearm in a manner so gross, wanton, and\nculpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life and causes the serious\nbodily injury of another person resulting in permanent and significant physical\nimpairment is guilty of a Class 6 felony.\n\nB. If this section is violated while the person is engaged in hunting, trapping\nor pursuing game, the trial judge may, in addition to the penalty imposed by the\njury or the court trying the case without a jury, revoke such person’s\nhunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap while possessing a\nfirearm for a period of one to five years.\n\nC. Upon a revocation pursuant to subsection B hereof, the clerk of the court in\nwhich the case is tried pursuant to this section shall forthwith send to the\nDepartment of Wildlife Resources (i) such person’s revoked hunting or\ntrapping license or notice that such person’s privilege to hunt or trap\nwhile in possession of a firearm has been revoked and (ii) a notice of the\nlength of revocation imposed. The Department shall keep a list which shall be\nfurnished upon request to any law-enforcement officer, the attorney for the\nCommonwealth or court in this Commonwealth, and such list shall contain the\nnames and addresses of all persons whose license or privilege to hunt or trap\nwhile in possession of a firearm has been revoked and the court which took such\naction.\n\nD. If any person whose license to hunt and trap, or whose privilege to hunt and\ntrap while in possession of a firearm, has been revoked pursuant to this\nsection, thereafter hunts or traps while in possession of a firearm, he shall be\nguilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in addition to any penalty imposed by the\njury or the court trying the case without a jury, the trial judge may revoke\nsuch person’s hunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap\nwhile in possession of a firearm for a period of one year to life. The clerk of\nthe court shall notify the Department of Wildlife Resources as is provided in\nsubsection C herein.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 194; 1985, c. 182; 1991, c. 384; 2010, c. 183; 2011, c. 684;\n2014, cc. 444, 579; 2020, c. 958.","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}}