AK transport in VA

[Ron-Bon]

Someone tell me the legal way to transport an AK. Since I've gotten it, on the rare occasions that it had to leave my house, I have it unloaded in my car trunk in the original box or a rifle-case, and I have both magazines loaded but locked in my glove compartment. Is this proper, or am I in some way breaking any laws?

 

[dirtygrunt95]

You are fine.

 

[Ron-Bon]

Glad to hear that. Thanks a million

 

[nalioth]

They have specific laws just for AKs in Virginia?

 

[Ron-Bon]

They don't have specific laws that I am aware of, but I know that many gun laws vary from state to state, so I put VA in the title just to be sure.

 

[Right Wing Wacko]

I can't speak for VA, but here in WA you would be just fine. I suspect you would be ok in "MOST" free states.

There are some states where you would have a problem since the magazines are loaded, as they consider the gun loaded just because there is a loaded mag in your possession.

 

[sernv99]

just put the gun, unloaded of course, in a gun case. You can even put the mags, unloaded of course, with the gun in the gun case. I would seperate the ammo so that it is not "readily accessible" near the gun. I would place the gun in your trunk or "out of sight" inside your car.

 

[nalioth]

In Texas (yes, here it is), if you're legal to carry, you're legal to carry loaded.

Texas law makes no attempt to discuss "loaded" or "unloaded" - just legal to carry or illegal to carry.

 

[Titan6]

They have specific laws just for AKs in Virginia?

Umm no, yes, sort of. In VA the AK is considered an assault weapon which limits it's transfer below a certain age and other applications but you can carry it fully loaded in your vehicle within hands reach so long as it is in plain sight. Having it loaded and in your trunk might be considered concealed. Strange I know.

 

[vetts1911]

I spent 18 years living in VA. From what the law enforcement had told me when I asked. Now I asked about transporting guns period. Three steps was the rule they used. As long as it took 3 or more steps to have the gun loaded and ready to fire you were okay. I thought that was kind of loose but, it does make sense. If you have a CCW he told me we were good to go with a loaded firearm.

The reason I was asking a state trooper about this was due to us running from Hampton Roads to Richmond to shoot 3 gun. With a truck loaded full of ammo, guns and, people (SUV no way to lock in the trunk, every thing in easy reach and, all in one spot to boot). I wanted to know what would happen in if we got pulled over.

Just as a last thought since our laws change often. Just call or go to the state police barracks and ask them. When you get the info post it. It will be a great info.

 

[30 cal slob]

if you have a VA CHP you can open carry it, loaded.

 

[Eric F]

wait hold on

fully loaded in your vehicle within hands reach so long as it is in plain sight

There is a little known rule about transporting loaded mags over a capacity of 20 rounds, I will have to do a search but its been discused here before.

Found it

Section 18.2-287.4 prohibits the carrying of a loaded: a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that is equipped with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or is designed to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock; or b) shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered, on or about the person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place open to the public.(i) in any city with a population of 160,000 or more or (ii) in any county having an urban county executive form of government or any county or city surrounded thereby or adjacent thereto or in any county having a county manager form of government.

So yeah try to figure that one out, more over try to find a law enforcement official that will charge you with this one also.

It further reads

The provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement officers, licensed security guards, military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, or any person having a valid concealed handgun permit or to any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or lawful recreational shooting activities at an established shooting range or shooting contest. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

So If you are caught just claim you were a guest at a range or claim you were going to shoot a 3 gun match.

Funny this was mentioned

or to any person actually engaged in lawful hunting

because it is not lawful to hunt with a hicap anything in VA

 

[Titan6]

Vetts 1911- Virginia is an open carry state. I OC there all the time when I am there. The only limitation is for assault rifles.

Thanks Eric. That was what I could not find earlier. So if you have a magazine with less than 20 round capacity in it you are good to go, unless you have a folder or silencer.

My .308 has 19 round magazines for that very reason.

 

[skidmark]

My .308 has 19 round magazines for that very reason.

You can get rid of those reduced-capacity magazines. The law applies to magazines capable of holding more than 20 rounds. You would only run into problems if you had 21-round or greater magazines.

Of course, if your .308 is defined as an "assault weapon" you are bound by the restriction - unless you have a CHP.

stay safe.

skidmark

 

[748]

Hunting is why I have some 5 round mags for my "assualt weapons".
The high cap mag + hunting thing might have been added after this law?
Some times they write laws so that other laws can be added, changed and removed and effect as few other laws as possible.

 

[zoom6zoom]

because it is not lawful to hunt with a hicap anything in VA

No longer true. Only capacity restrictions now are for migratory game.

 

[chris in va]

Only capacity restrictions now are for migratory game

Didn't they get rid of that also, or is it just for regular hunting? Took a hunter safety course last year, seem to remember a rule change they mentioned.