Test Your Knowledge of VA Gun Laws

[Well Regulated]

The Virginian-Pilot Newspaper will be doing a four part article on firearms in Virginia starting this Sunday. They have a test on-line to see how much you know already. It's a fun test.



http://hamptonroads.com/2008/02/quiz-how-much-do-you-know-about-guns-virginia


How well did you do?

 

[Titan6]

I scored only 7/10. I had to guess to guess the number of Hampton Roads legislators that had permits (wrong), I misread a question but... I can find no law that states that 15 year old's can not own an AK-47.

Is there such a law in Virginia? Maybe not buy... but own?

 

[novaDAK]

In VA, you must be 18 to possess HANDGUNS, and what the state defines as "ASSAULT FIREARMS."

So a real [semi-auto] AK (in other words, an AK with all of the evil features) you have to be 18 to possess.

It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, "handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand and "assault firearm" means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which 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 which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308.7

 

[Titan6]

and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock

Yes, not to split hairs but, if it has no folding stock and a ten round magazine?

 

[RP88]

if it is not a handgun or assault weapon (i.e. hunting weapon, etc.), then there is no age limit where someone may possess a hunting weapon so long as they are supervised, but they may not purchase one of their own until they are 18. Anyone under 18 may not even touch assault weapons or handguns.

 

[lacoochee]

Anyone under 18 may not even touch assault weapons or handguns.

That's hard to believe...even under adult supervision?

 

[Sans Authoritas]

RP88 wrote:

Anyone under 18 may not even touch assault weapons or handguns

RP88, that's not quite accurate.

The rest of the above law:

"This section shall not apply to:

1. Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in the home or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or (iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the landowner's written permission on his person while on such property;

2. Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported;

3. Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting area or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; and

4. Any person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state."

-Sans Authoritas

 

[chris in va]

6/10. I was suprised to find only two other states have the one-per-month law.

 

[JohnBT]

Stupid test, it's not about Virginia laws. There are questions about other states and do I really care about how many Hampton Roads area politicians have permits.

Yes, Virginia has a one handgun a month law, unless you have a carry permit and then it doesn't apply. Others can submit a form to the State Police to purchase more than one - a set, a collection, a good deal, etc.

Oh well, that quiz was about as stupid as the outfit that published it.

I missed two.

John

 

[rockinrussky]

7/10 but only because I'm not from Hampton Roads and don't know about how many legislators have CC permits. Also, I had no idea only 2 other states have this 1 handgun a month lunacy. Good to know most other parts of the country don't have that law, but it still feels like our state has to ride the short bus alongside Maryland and California

 

[riverdog]

CA has the one a month rule also but it only applies to new/used guns owned and sold by the gunshop. I can buy multiple handguns if they're being sold on consignment. As for the test, many of the questions don't have anything to do with VA law, but are just general trivia.