{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-386.29.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-386.29.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-386.29.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-386.29.html"}],"law_id":60469,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60469,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.29","catch_line":"Forfeiture of certain weapons used in commission of criminal offense","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-270; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15, \u00a7 18.2-310; 1986, cc. 445, 641; 1988, c. 359; 1990, cc. 556, 944; 2004, c. 995; 2007, c. 519; 2012, cc. 283, 756; 2020, c. 1000.","full_text":"All pistols, shotguns, rifles, dirks, bowie knives, switchblade knives, ballistic knives, razors, slingshots, brass or metal knucks, blackjacks, stun weapons, and other weapons used by any person in the commission of a criminal offense, shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth by order of the court trying the case. The court shall dispose of such weapons as it deems proper by entry of an order of record. Such disposition may include the destruction of the weapons or, subject to any registration requirements of federal law, sale of the firearms to a licensed dealer in such firearms in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 22.1 (\u00a7 19.2-386.1 et seq.) regarding sale of property forfeited to the Commonwealth.\n\t\tThe court may authorize the seizing law-enforcement agency to use the weapon for a period of time as specified in the order. When the seizing agency ceases to so use the weapon, it shall be disposed of as otherwise provided in this section.\n\t\tHowever, upon petition to the court and notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth, the court, upon good cause shown, shall return any such weapon to its lawful owner after conclusion of all relevant proceedings if such owner (i) did not know and had no reason to know of the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture and (ii) is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the weapon. The owner shall acknowledge in a sworn affidavit to be filed with the record in the case or cases that he has retaken possession of the weapon involved.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":221103,"text":"All pistols, shotguns, rifles, dirks, bowie knives, switchblade knives, ballistic knives, razors, slingshots, brass or metal knucks, blackjacks, stun weapons, and other weapons used by any person in the commission of a criminal offense, shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth by order of the court trying the case. The court shall dispose of such weapons as it deems proper by entry of an order of record. Such disposition may include the destruction of the weapons or, subject to any registration requirements of federal law, sale of the firearms to a licensed dealer in such firearms in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 22.1 (\u00a7 19.2-386.1 et seq.) regarding sale of property forfeited to the Commonwealth.\n\t\tThe court may authorize the seizing law-enforcement agency to use the weapon for a period of time as specified in the order. When the seizing agency ceases to so use the weapon, it shall be disposed of as otherwise provided in this section.\n\t\tHowever, upon petition to the court and notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth, the court, upon good cause shown, shall return any such weapon to its lawful owner after conclusion of all relevant proceedings if such owner (i) did not know and had no reason to know of the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture and (ii) is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the weapon. The owner shall acknowledge in a sworn affidavit to be filed with the record in the case or cases that he has retaken possession of the weapon involved.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15532,"edition_id":1,"name":"Miscellaneous Forfeiture Provisions","identifier":"22.2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:56:02","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:56:02","permalink":{"id":170315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15532,"identifier":"22.2","token":"19.2\/22.2","url":"\/19.2\/22.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12801,"edition_id":1,"name":"Criminal Procedure","identifier":"19.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":168169,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12801,"identifier":"19.2","token":"19.2","url":"\/19.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":76677,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.15","catch_line":"Seizure of property used in connection with or derived from terrorism","url":"\/19.2-386.15\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.15","metadata":false},{"id":60983,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.16","catch_line":"Forfeiture of motor vehicles used in commission of certain crimes","url":"\/19.2-386.16\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.16","metadata":false},{"id":59670,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.17","catch_line":"Forfeitures for computer crimes","url":"\/19.2-386.17\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.17","metadata":false},{"id":73735,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.18","catch_line":"Forfeiture of unlawful electronic communication devices","url":"\/19.2-386.18\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.18","metadata":false},{"id":84430,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.19","catch_line":"Seizure of property used in connection with money laundering","url":"\/19.2-386.19\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.19","metadata":false},{"id":59919,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.20","catch_line":"Forfeiture of cigarettes sold or attempted to be sold in an unlawful delivery sale","url":"\/19.2-386.20\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.20","metadata":false},{"id":76319,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.21","catch_line":"Forfeiture of counterfeit and contraband cigarettes","url":"\/19.2-386.21\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.21","metadata":false},{"id":79626,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.22","catch_line":"Seizure of property used in connection with or derived from illegal drug transactions","url":"\/19.2-386.22\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.22","metadata":false},{"id":68664,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.23","catch_line":"Disposal of seized controlled substances, marijuana, and paraphernalia","url":"\/19.2-386.23\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.23","metadata":false},{"id":67824,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.24","catch_line":"Destruction of seized controlled substances or marijuana prior to trial","url":"\/19.2-386.24\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.24","metadata":false},{"id":61520,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.25","catch_line":"Judge may order law-enforcement agency to maintain custody of controlled substances, etc","url":"\/19.2-386.25\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.25","metadata":false},{"id":77904,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.26","catch_line":"Seizure and forfeiture of drug paraphernalia","url":"\/19.2-386.26\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.26","metadata":false},{"id":84672,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.27","catch_line":"Forfeiture of firearms carried in violation of Article 6.1 (\u00a7 18.2-307.1 et seq.)","url":"\/19.2-386.27\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.27","metadata":false},{"id":75668,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.28","catch_line":"Forfeiture of weapons, etc., that are concealed, possessed, transported, or carried in violation of law","url":"\/19.2-386.28\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.28","metadata":false},{"id":60469,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.29","catch_line":"Forfeiture of certain weapons used in commission of criminal offense","url":"\/19.2-386.29\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.29","metadata":false},{"id":85951,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.30","catch_line":"Forfeiture of money, gambling devices, etc., seized from illegal gambling enterprise; innocent owners or lienors","url":"\/19.2-386.30\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.30","metadata":false},{"id":66548,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.31","catch_line":"Seizure and forfeiture of property used in connection with the exploitation and solicitation of children","url":"\/19.2-386.31\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.31","metadata":false},{"id":76499,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.32","catch_line":"Seizure and forfeiture of property used in connection with the abduction of children","url":"\/19.2-386.32\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.32","metadata":false},{"id":85837,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.33","catch_line":"Forfeiture of money, etc., derived from violation of \u00a7\u00a7 2.2-3103 through 2.2-3112","url":"\/19.2-386.33\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.33","metadata":false},{"id":86284,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.34","catch_line":"Forfeiture of vehicle used in a felony violation of \u00a7 18.2-266","url":"\/19.2-386.34\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.34","metadata":false},{"id":79782,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.35","catch_line":"Seizure of property used in connection with certain offenses","url":"\/19.2-386.35\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.35","metadata":false},{"id":59228,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.36","catch_line":"Seizure of moneys or other assets of value in connection with or derived from financial exploitation of vulnerable adults","url":"\/19.2-386.36\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.36","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":75668,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.28","catch_line":"Forfeiture of weapons, etc., that are concealed, possessed, transported, or carried in violation of law","url":"\/19.2-386.28\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.28","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85951,"structure_id":15532,"section_number":"19.2-386.30","catch_line":"Forfeiture of money, gambling devices, etc., seized from illegal gambling enterprise; innocent owners or lienors","url":"\/19.2-386.30\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.30","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-386.29\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 1960, chapter 358; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1986, chapters 445 and 641; in 1988, chapter 359; in 1990, chapters 556 and 944; in 2004, chapter 995<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 519<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 283<\/a> and 756<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 1000<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84672,"section_number":"19.2-386.27","catch_line":"Forfeiture of firearms carried in violation of Article 6.1 (\u00a7 18.2-307.1 et seq.)","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.27\/"},{"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\/"},{"id":58799,"section_number":"30-34.2:2","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed firearms, other weapons, or other unclaimed personal property in possession of the Division of Capitol Police","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-34.2_2\/"},{"id":69293,"section_number":"52-11.5","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of the State Police","order_by":null,"url":"\/52-11.5\/"},{"id":76224,"section_number":"52-25.1","catch_line":"Reporting and return of firearms confiscated or recovered by law-enforcement agencies","order_by":null,"url":"\/52-25.1\/"},{"id":77727,"section_number":"59.1-148.4","catch_line":"Sale of firearms by law-enforcement agencies prohibited; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-148.4\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68052,"section_number":"19.2-386.1","catch_line":"Commencing an action of forfeiture","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":170373,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60469,"identifier":"19.2-386.29","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.29","url":"\/19.2-386.29\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-386.29\/","token":"19.2\/22.2\/19.2-386.29","dublin_core":{"Title":"Forfeiture of certain weapons used in commission of criminal offense","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-386.29","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

All pistols, shotguns, rifles, dirks, bowie knives, switchblade knives, ballistic knives, razors, slingshots, brass or metal knucks, blackjacks, stun weapons, and other weapons used by any person in the commission of a criminal offense<\/span>, shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth by order<\/span> of the court<\/span> trying the case. The court<\/span> shall dispose of such weapons as it deems proper by entry of an order<\/span> of record. Such disposition<\/span> may include the destruction of the weapons or, subject to any registration requirements of federal law<\/span>, sale of the firearms to a licensed dealer in such firearms in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 22.1 (\u00a7 19.2-386.1<\/a> et seq.) regarding sale of property forfeited to the Commonwealth.\n\t\tThe court<\/span> may authorize the seizing law<\/span>-enforcement agency to use the weapon for a period of time as specified in the order<\/span>. When the seizing agency ceases to so use the weapon, it shall be disposed of as otherwise provided in this section.\n\t\tHowever, upon petition<\/span> to the court<\/span> and notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth, the court<\/span>, upon good cause shown, shall return any such weapon to its lawful owner after conclusion of all relevant proceedings if such owner (i) did not know and had no reason to know of the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture and (ii) is not otherwise prohibited by law<\/span> from possessing the weapon. The owner shall acknowledge in a sworn affidavit<\/span> to be filed with the record in the case or cases that he has retaken possession<\/span> of the weapon involved.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFORFEITURE OF CERTAIN WEAPONS USED IN COMMISSION OF CRIMINAL OFFENSE (\u00a7\n19.2-386.29)\n\nAll pistols, shotguns, rifles, dirks, bowie knives, switchblade knives,\nballistic knives, razors, slingshots, brass or metal knucks, blackjacks, stun\nweapons, and other weapons used by any person in the commission of a criminal\noffense, shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth by order of the court trying the\ncase. The court shall dispose of such weapons as it deems proper by entry of an\norder of record. Such disposition may include the destruction of the weapons or,\nsubject to any registration requirements of federal law, sale of the firearms to\na licensed dealer in such firearms in accordance with the provisions of Chapter\n22.1 (\u00a7 19.2-386.1 et seq.) regarding sale of property forfeited to the\nCommonwealth.\n\t\tThe court may authorize the seizing law-enforcement agency to use the weapon\nfor a period of time as specified in the order. When the seizing agency ceases\nto so use the weapon, it shall be disposed of as otherwise provided in this\nsection.\n\t\tHowever, upon petition to the court and notice to the attorney for the\nCommonwealth, the court, upon good cause shown, shall return any such weapon to\nits lawful owner after conclusion of all relevant proceedings if such owner (i)\ndid not know and had no reason to know of the conduct giving rise to the\nforfeiture and (ii) is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the\nweapon. The owner shall acknowledge in a sworn affidavit to be filed with the\nrecord in the case or cases that he has retaken possession of the weapon\ninvolved.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-270; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15, \u00a7 18.2-310;\n1986, cc. 445, 641; 1988, c. 359; 1990, cc. 556, 944; 2004, c. 995; 2007, c.\n519; 2012, cc. 283, 756; 2020, c. 1000.","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}}