18.2-308.7 - Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18; penalty. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-308.7. Possession or transportation of certain firearms by personsunder the age of 18; penalty.

It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly andintentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere inthe Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, "handgun" means anypistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended tofire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustiblematerial from one or more barrels when held in one hand and "assaultfirearm" means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol whichexpels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of acombustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with amagazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by themanufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or(ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of thelongest ammunition for which it is chambered. A violation of this sectionshall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.

This section shall not apply to:

1. Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in thehome or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or(iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, andwith the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person hasthe 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 andfrom, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided thatthe weapons are unloaded while being transported;

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

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

(1993, cc. 467, 494; 2003, c. 976; 2004, c. 995.)