Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.7:2 — Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; 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. § 18.2-308.7:2
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:
"Handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made, and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand.
"Vehicle" has the same meaning as ascribed to "motor vehicle" in § 46.2-364 . A "boat" is considered a vehicle and is defined as any vessel or other watercraft, privately owned, whether moved by oars, paddles, sails, or other power mechanism, inboard or outboard, or any other vessel or structure floating on water in the Commonwealth, whether or not capable of self-locomotion, including cruisers, cabin cruisers, runabouts, houseboats, and barges. However, bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, motorized skateboards or scooters, and mopeds are not vehicles. A vehicle is considered to be unattended if (i) such vehicle is left unattended (a) on a public highway or other public property or (b) any parking area, lot, or structure intended for commercial or retail use, including such parking areas, lots, or structures exclusively reserved and used by commercial or retail employees, and (ii) the owner, operator, or any passenger of such motor vehicle is unable to observe such motor vehicle.
B. No person shall knowingly leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle or trunk unless such handgun is placed out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container, including a locked container that is affixed to the vehicle's interior by steel cable, bolt, or welding. A locked container affixed to the vehicle's interior includes a locked glove compartment or a locked center console. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) the storage of any antique firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 , (ii) a law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101 , or (iii) a person who reports the theft or loss of a firearm to a law-enforcement agency as provided in § 18.2-287.5 .
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is firearm in unattended motor vehicle a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Firearm in unattended motor vehicle is a class 4 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.7:2.
Which Virginia statute covers firearm in unattended motor vehicle?
Firearm in unattended motor vehicle is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.7:2 (Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; penalty).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.