Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.7:1 — Storage of firearms; penalty
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 7: Other Illegal Weapons, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.7:1
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
A. For purposes of this section:
"Firearm" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 .
"Minor" means an individual younger than 18 years of age who is not authorized to use or possess a firearm under § 18.2-308.7 .
B. Any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present shall store such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person, or shall render such firearm incapable of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that firearm and specific to this purpose. A firearm may be stored loaded, provided that (i) such firearm is stored in a storage device with a combination lock, coded lock, or biometric lock and (ii) no minor or prohibited person is an authorized user for the lock of such storage device. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any person in lawful possession of a firearm who is carrying such firearm on his person or (ii) the storage of any antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 .
D. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing any person from lawfully authorizing a minor to access a firearm in accordance with § 18.2-56.2 .
E. Every dealer, as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 , shall post in a conspicuous manner at the premises of such dealer a notice stating: "Any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present shall store such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person, or shall render such firearm incapable of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that firearm and specific to this purpose. A violation of this law is a Class 2 misdemeanor."
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is storage of firearms a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Storage of firearms is a class 2 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.7:1.
Which Virginia statute covers storage of firearms?
Storage of firearms is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.7:1 (Storage of firearms; penalty).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.