Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-433.2 — Paramilitary activity prohibited; penalty
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 8: Unlawful Paramilitary Activity, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-433.2
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. A person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity, punishable as a Class 5 felony, if he:
1. Teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, knowing or having reason to know or intending that such training will be employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder;
2. Assembles with one or more persons for the purpose of training with, practicing with, or being instructed in the use of any firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, intending to employ such training for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder; or
3. Violates subsection A of § 18.2-282 while assembled with one or more persons for the purpose of and with the intent to intimidate any person or group of persons.
B. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any member of a lawfully recognized military color guard, honor guard, or similar organization, or a member of a veterans service organization that is congressionally chartered or officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, when such member is participating in a (i) training or educational exercise offered by such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent or (ii) funeral or public ceremony such as a parade or dedication ceremony on behalf of such color guard, honor guard, or similar organization or such veterans service organization unless such member engages in such activity with malicious intent.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is paramilitary activity prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Paramilitary activity prohibited is a class 5 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-433.2.
Which Virginia statute covers paramilitary activity prohibited?
Paramilitary activity prohibited is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-433.2 (Paramilitary activity prohibited; penalty).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.