Help on VA transport laws.

Status
Not open for further replies.

scythefwd

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2008
Messages
3,603
Location
Manassas Park, VA
When transporting in a vehicle in VA, what do the laws say? Since I can open carry a loaded gun on me while driving, I can't see a viable reason to need to unload/separate the guns/ammo, but VA is a little goofy some times. A link to the statutes and laws will suffice.

Thanks for any replies.
 
As I understand things from a couple CC courses and books, VA wants the gun to be 'out of wingspan', IOW out of reach. For example, if you have a Jeep Cherokee with the rear seat down, it needs to be waaaaay in the back, cased (or securely wrapped as it's termed).

Or, you can simply have it in the open where an LEO can see it. Open carry. Basically if it's gonna be hidden and you don't have a CC permit, keep it in the trunk.
 
Either open carry or not readily accessible.
Different courts have different standards for 'not readily accessible.'

You can also run into issues with long guns under the hunting regulations, especially if loaded.

Handguns just open carry them.
On the seat beside you is fine.

Long guns, unloaded and either in the trunk, or way in the back (out of occupant reach) or clearly in the window.
Hanging on rack in the rear or side window is still legal, but theft has limited this method unless you are in the car.
 
Long guns, unloaded and either in the trunk, or way in the back (out of occupant reach) or clearly in the window.
Hanging on rack in the rear or side window is still legal, but theft has limited this method unless you are in the car.
Funny this comes up since I was in Court for a reckless driving ticket(I was found not guilty) A few cases before mine a guy had a loaded pistol in the front seat OC-no big deal, aparently you can not OC a rifle or shot gun Judge dismissed the case since there was no ill intention but the guy got a stern warning to stay out of trouble and familiarize himself with the rules, I dont know if that is a city ordance or state but I had no Idea about the no loaded rifles or shotguns. It could have been a hunting type law as he got pulled over during hunting season on a country road.
 
huh? no open carry of a rifle or shotgun in VA in public or in a car:confused:

Loaded rifles and shotguns may be carried in a vehicle if the long guns are in plain view in Virginia. Placement in a visible gun rack and containment in a commercial gun case are commonly used means of transport.
Prior laws allowing counties to regulate the vehicle carry of loaded long guns have been repealed.
I believe Virginia still prohibits center-fire firearms with a magazine capacity of more than 20 rounds from being loaded while one is traveling through many of Virginia's urban areas.This may have been repealed.I'll try to find out or perhaps someone knows for sure.
 
Last edited:
I am sure it had to do with hunting, In VA with out a hadicap licens you can not have a loaded firearm in the car while hunting, I am sure this was the case. I will say I could not hear everything going on in this case.
 
"Loaded rifles and shotguns may be carried in a vehicle if the long guns are in plain view in Virginia."

Not on certain locations depending on the type of rifle or shotgun.

There are also rules about loaded rifles on roads unless permisio to hunt has been granted.

Unloaded is still legal.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-287.4
§ 18.2-287.4. Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty.

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.

The exemptions set forth in § 18.2-308 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section.

(1991, c. 570; 1992, c. 790; 2003, c. 976; 2004, c. 995; 2005, c. 160; 2007, c. 813.)
 
Loaded rifles and shotguns may be carried in a vehicle if the long guns are in plain view in Virginia. Placement in a visible gun rack and containment in a commercial gun case are commonly used means of transport.
Prior laws allowing counties to regulate the vehicle carry of loaded long guns have been repealed.
I believe Virginia still prohibits center-fire firearms with a magazine capacity of more than 20 rounds from being loaded while one is traveling through many of Virginia's urban areas.This may have been repealed.I'll try to find out or perhaps someone knows for sure.

Not on certain locations depending on the type of rifle or shotgun.

brickeyee,

That's why I mentioned the center-fire, 20 round, urban area proviso.
Thanks for clarifying that's it's still in effect.
 
So the way I read this if I have a chp then I can have a loaded rifle with a 30 rnd mag in my truck, right?
 
So the way I read this if I have a chp then I can have a loaded rifle with a 30 rnd mag in my truck, right?

That's the way I read it,Eric:

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.
 
You're going to like this:

According to my reading of the law, you can open-carry a loaded rifle in an urban area if...


...wait for it...


...you have a Concealed Handgun Permit

Update: Drat, can't find the link to the relevant law. Don't take my word on this.
Update II: Thanks, Duke Junior; I knew it was in there somewhere!
 
Last edited:
You're going to like this:

According to my reading of the law, you can open-carry a loaded rifle in an urban are if...


...wait for it...


...you have a Concealed Handgun Permit

Definitely cool.Virginia Rocks!
Crazy,but we'll take it.

Update: Drat, can't find the link to the relevant law. Don't take my word on this.

This seems to cover it:
§ 18.2-287.4. Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty.

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.

The exemptions set forth in § 18.2-308 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section.

(1991, c. 570; 1992, c. 790; 2003, c. 976; 2004, c. 995; 2005, c. 160; 2007, c. 813.) it,Tribal:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top