Carrying Longuns In VA

[Good Ol' Boy]

I have recently decided it would be in my best interest to have a pump shotgun in the car in addition to my EDC pistol.

I have searched without much luck as to whether this is legal in VA and if it is, how the gun can be carried or stowed.

Generally I look to the VA State Police site for firearm related questions but I haven't been able to come up with much regarding long guns.

I do have a CHP but as I understand it that mainly pertains to handguns.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

As I continue to search I found this, but as I read it it's still pretty muddy water.

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter9/section15.2-915.2/

 

[pdsmith505]

While generally the carry of loaded long-guns in vehicles in VA is LEGAL, municipalities/counties can restrict the loaded carry of long guns in vehicles in the state of VA.

VA 15.2-915.2:
This section empowers the governing body of any county or city to, by ordinance, make it unlawful for any person to transport, possess or carry a loaded shotgun or loaded rifle in any vehicle on any public street, road, or highway within such locality.

A valid carry permit does not exempt you from such restrictions, but I cannot find such a restriction for Hanover County. I would recommend you look for yourself.

Keep in mind that Richmond, however, does:

Sec. 19-334. - Transporting loaded shotgun or rifle.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to transport, possess or carry a loaded shotgun or a loaded rifle in any vehicle on any public street, road or highway. Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00.

(b) This section shall not apply to duly authorized law enforcement officers or to military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties nor to any person demonstrating a reasonable belief that a loaded rifle or shotgun is necessary for his or her personal safety in the course of employment or business.

(Code 1993, § 20-160; Code 2004, § 66-353)

State Law reference— Authority for above, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-915.2.

There are additional restrictions imposed by state law that center around magazine capacity and the ability to accept a silencer (threaded barrel), but a valid concealed handgun permit will exempt you from them:

VA 18.2-287.4 said:
It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer 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 his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.

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.

 

[il_10]

I've had a mid-length AR stowed in the storage compartment in the back for a while. I'm in Henry County, and while there's no restriction here, the murkiness is enough that I've started very seriously considering an AR 'pistol' with a brace for this role as that would fall under my CHP.

Another thing that can trip you up is the hunting regulations; in several areas it's illegal to have a loaded rifle or shotgun in the vehicle during certain hunting seasons:
https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/local-ordinances.pdf

 

[badkarmamib]

I live in VA, and not in one of the counties with added restrictions, and I agree that it is hard to determine if it is legal to carry a loaded long gun in a vehicle. I have read that it is, isn't, or only with a CHL, depending on which page you read. So, I am hoping for someone to come along and explain it better, as well.

 

[AlexanderA]

It's simple enough to carry the magazine separately from a rifle, and therefore the gun would not be "loaded." This is a little more difficult with a shotgun.

 

[George P]

Unless it is one of the box magazine versions.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Well being I don't want to carry an unloaded long gun and there's been no other clear answer I've decided to add another 12rd mag and G19 mag with X Grip to the car for the time being.

I like the idea of an AR pistol with a "brace" as it falls under my CHP, but that also seems to be somewhat murky depending on the LEO that you might have to deal with. Doesn't seem to be a clear cut understood ruling on that either.

 

[rromeo]

Well being I don't want to carry an unloaded long gun and there's been no other clear answer I've decided to add another 12rd mag and G19 mag with X Grip to the car for the time being.

I like the idea of an AR pistol with a "brace" as it falls under my CHP, but that also seems to be somewhat murky depending on the LEO that you might have to deal with. Doesn't seem to be a clear cut understood ruling on that either.

That's why I prefer my AR pistol without a brace.

 

[GBExpat]

Removed ...

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

That's why I prefer my AR pistol without a brace.

If you could legally shoulder it I could get by without a brace/stock, but it doesn't seem that clear to me. At least not to the point that I want to deal with the whole letter from the ATF thing if I had to use it.

As for shooting it like a pistol forget about it. I've shot a Evo 9mm as a pistol and I'm less accurate than just using a regular pistol.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

In the Commonwealth of Virginia "Back in the Day" (or, at least, the mid'70s ) the permit was not a concealed handgun permit but a concealed weapon permit.

A couple of my 2nd Precinct buddies suggested that I also carry a rifle or shotgun covered up by a blanket in my car's back seat. I was driving an MGB during that period and didn't have anything short enough to easily fit on the battery deck.

VA was May Issue back then but there were more options for those of us approved.

View attachment 810367

Yeah I've seen those before from back in the day.

It does me no good currently as that is not what they hand out.

 

[wojownik]

I believe that the citations of carrying in a public place (§ 18.2-287.4) relate to that actual carrying of firearms on one's person. I don't believe that transport in a vehicle (at least in a separate compartment/container) is covered under that statute.

FWIW, Fairfax County VA passed a new ordinance, taking effect on Jan 1, 2019, prohibiting loaded rifles and shotguns in vehicles (excepting LEOs). CHL is not an exemption. Unloaded rifles and shotguns are still permitted (though this is going to open up the whole probably cause thing, if an officer discovers the rifle, is that PC to search to find out whether it is loaded. VCDL folk insist that does not provide PC, I know several FFX officers who think otherwise).

Loudoun and Fauquier Counties already prohibit loaded rifles and shotguns in vehicles.

These local ordinances do not impact CHL right to carry a loaded handgun.

Transporting a loaded handgun by a non-CHL holder is also not addressed , but some of us are concerned that could be a next step.

 

[GBExpat]

... It does me no good currently as that is not what they hand out.

My apologies for stepping on your Thread, GOB, I did not think that you would mind.

I thought that you and/or some readers might be interested in seeing one of the old licenses and hearing about how it was "more open" back then.

GBE Out.