Virginia legal term
Sawed-off rifle in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Sawed-off rifle” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Sawed-off rifle” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Sawed-off rifle" means a rifle of any caliber, loaded or unloaded, which expels a projectile by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is designed as a shoulder weapon with a barrel or barrels length of less than 16 inches or which has been modified to an overall length of less than 26 inches. (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-299)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.