18.2-56.2 - Allowing access to firearms by children; penalty. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-56.2. Allowing access to firearms by children; penalty.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to recklessly leave a loaded,unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of anychild under the age of fourteen. Any person violating the provisions of thissubsection shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to authorize a child underthe age of twelve to use a firearm except when the child is under thesupervision of an adult. Any person violating this subsection shall be guiltyof a Class 1 misdemeanor. For purposes of this subsection, "adult" shallmean a parent, guardian, person standing in loco parentis to the child or aperson twenty-one years or over who has the permission of the parent,guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to supervise the child in theuse of a firearm.

(1991, c. 537; 1994, c. 832.)