Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task you must undertake as an armed American. To help with that, we’ve provided a comprehensive overview of Virginia gun laws. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Old Dominion State below.

Can You Carry a Gun in Virginia?

Open carry is legal in Virginia without a permit for anyone who is at least 18 years old and can legally possess a firearm. Concealed carry is legal with a license/permit from Virginia. Likewise, Virginia honors all out-of-state concealed carry permits.

Virginia Concealed Carry Permit

Virginia Handgun Permits (VHPs) are issued to both residents and non-residents at least 21 years old and require a firearms training course that has been approved by the state. The mandated processing time for a resident Virginia Handgun Permit (VHP) is 45 days from acceptance of your application. Processing a non-resident concealed handgun permit can take between three and six months. Permits are valid for five years, cost $50 and a training course is required.

Open Carry Gun Laws in Virginia

Open carry is legal in Virginia for anyone at least 18 years old and does not require a permit. However, open carry is not permitted everywhere without restriction. Localities — such as cities and counties — may impose their own regulations, including limitations on open carry in certain public places.

Stand Your Ground

Although not codified by statute, Virginia case law supports self-defense, a version of the castle doctrine and stand your ground in certain circumstances. Deadly force can only be used, however, if you or another person are under imminent danger of an overt act threatening unlawful force, serious bodily harm or death and the amount of force is reasonable in relation to the threat.

Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements

A permit to purchase a handgun is not required in Virginia. For the remainder of 2020, background checks are not required when buying a firearm from a private individual. However, as of Jan. 1, 2021, all sales/transfers will be required to be completed through a dealer who will submit a background check. There is no firearms registration, waiting period or ammunition restrictions for handguns. A purchaser must be at least 18 years old to buy a handgun.

Although Virginia has no law restricting large capacity ammunition magazines, Virginia law defines “assault firearm” as any semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material, 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. These assault firearms are prohibited from being loaded and carried on or about the individual openly or concealed in public areas of many cities and counties, although there are some exceptions.

Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons

Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit. These devices are not allowed in secure airport terminals, in courthouses, on school property or on school buses. Possession and use of self-defense sprays is lawful in the protection of person, life or property.

Where Can One Carry Concealed in Virginia?

Understanding where you can and cannot carry a firearm is crucial for staying compliant with Virginia’s gun laws. The state has specific locations where carrying a concealed handgun is allowed and places where it is strictly prohibited, even for permit holders. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure you are always carrying legally and responsibly.

Locations where a concealed handgun may be carried include:

  • Restaurants that serve alcohol (unless posted and provided you consume no alcohol)
  • State/national parks
  • State/national forests
  • Wildlife Management Areas (except for Hog Island, Buggs Island or upon the water on Gaston Reservoir)
  • Roadside rest areas

Locations where concealed carry is prohibited, even for permit holders, include:

  • Any elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds and portions of public property exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular activities while such functions or activities are taking place
  • Any school bus
  • Places of religious worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held, without good and sufficient reason
  • Anywhere while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
  • Courthouses
  • The Capitol Square in Richmond
  • Regional jails and juvenile detention facilities
  • Offices owned or occupied by executive branch agencies
  • Within 40 feet of any building, or part thereof, used as a polling place, including one hour before and one hour after its use as a polling place;
  • Private property when prohibited by the owner of the property or where posted as prohibited
  • Non-secure areas of airport terminals
  • Day-use areas, campgrounds and other developed recreational Tennessee Valley Authority lands
  • The portion of Hog Island Wildlife Management Area bordering on the James River and lying north of the Surry Nuclear Power Plant (except while hunting deer or waterfowl in conformity with a special permit issued by the department)
  • Buggs Island or upon the water on Gaston Reservoir (Roanoke River) from a point beginning at High Rock and extending to the John H. Kerr Dam
  • Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal or state law or regulation

Can You Have a Gun in Your Car in Virginia?

Anyone with a valid concealed carry permit can carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Virginia. Carry in a vehicle is allowed without a permit if it is secured in a container or compartment. This can mean a console, glove compartment or any other area of the vehicle that has the ability to be closed.

Ready to Learn More About Virginia Gun Laws?

It’s your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map is the ultimate tool for armed citizens like you to stay informed. To learn more about Virginia’s permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit Virginia’s gun laws page now…

Interested in obtaining your Virginia concealed carry permit? Learn how to apply for a Virginia concealed carry permit here with this step-by-step guide.

Find a concealed carry class in Virginia today.

The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. Members and the concealed carry community, and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing, and as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.