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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>56135</law_id><section_number>18.2-433.2</section_number><catch_line>Paramilitary activity prohibited; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>17.1-805</reference><reference>19.2-392.02</reference><reference>53.1-202.3</reference><reference>53.1-40.02</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="18.2">Crimes and Offenses Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="9">Crimes Against Peace and Order</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="8">Unlawful Paramilitary Activity</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity, punishable as a Class 5 <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, if he: <a id="paragraph-205725" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.2/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any <span class="dictionary">firearm</span>, <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">civil disorder</span>; <a id="paragraph-205726" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.2/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Assembles with one or more persons for the purpose of training with, practicing with, or being instructed in the use of any <span class="dictionary">firearm</span>, <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">civil disorder</span>; or <a id="paragraph-205727" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.2/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Violates subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty" href="/18.2-282/">18.2-282</a> while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to intimidate any person or group of persons. <a id="paragraph-205728" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.2/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">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 <span class="dictionary">malicious</span> <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">malicious</span> <span class="dictionary">intent</span>. <a id="paragraph-205729" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.2/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1987, c. 720; 2020, c. 601; 2022, cc. 37, 38.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
