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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>75271</law_id><section_number>18.2-56.1</section_number><catch_line>Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-46.1</reference><reference>19.2-392.02</reference><reference>29.1-521.2</reference><reference>29.1-523</reference><reference>29.1-525</reference><reference>37.2-314</reference><reference>37.2-416.1</reference><reference>37.2-506.1</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="4">Crimes Against the Person</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="4">Assaults and Bodily Woundings</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">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 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-270280" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-56.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1"><p><span class="prefix-number">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 <span class="dictionary">felony</span>. <a id="paragraph-270281" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-56.1/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If this section is violated while the person is engaged in hunting, trapping or pursuing game, the <span class="dictionary">trial</span> <span class="dictionary">judge</span> may, in addition to the <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> imposed by the <span class="dictionary">jury</span> or the <span class="dictionary">court</span> trying the case without a <span class="dictionary">jury</span>, revoke such person&#x2019;s hunting or trapping license and <span class="dictionary">privileges</span> to hunt or trap while possessing a firearm for a period of one to five years. <a id="paragraph-270282" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-56.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Upon a <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> pursuant to subsection B hereof, the clerk of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> in which the case is tried pursuant to this section shall forthwith send to the Department of Wildlife Resources (i) such person&#x2019;s revoked hunting or trapping license or notice that such person&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> to hunt or trap while in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a firearm has been revoked and (ii) a notice of the length of <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> imposed. The Department shall keep a list which shall be furnished upon request to any <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer, the attorney for the Commonwealth or <span class="dictionary">court</span> in this Commonwealth, and such list shall contain the names and addresses of all persons whose license or <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> to hunt or trap while in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a firearm has been revoked and the <span class="dictionary">court</span> which took such action. <a id="paragraph-270283" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-56.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> If any person whose license to hunt and trap, or whose <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> to hunt and trap while in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a firearm, has been revoked pursuant to this section, thereafter hunts or traps while in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a firearm, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>, and, in addition to any <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> imposed by the <span class="dictionary">jury</span> or the <span class="dictionary">court</span> trying the case without a <span class="dictionary">jury</span>, the <span class="dictionary">trial</span> <span class="dictionary">judge</span> may revoke such person&#x2019;s hunting or trapping license and <span class="dictionary">privileges</span> to hunt or trap while in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a firearm for a period of one year to life. The clerk of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall notify the Department of Wildlife Resources as is provided in subsection C herein. <a id="paragraph-270284" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-56.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1977, c. 194; 1985, c. 182; 1991, c. 384; 2010, c. 183; 2011, c. 684; 2014, cc. 444, 579; 2020, c. 958.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
