Virginia criminal charge
Furnishing certain weapons to minors in Virginia
Furnishing certain weapons to minors is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-309. Its classification is not fixed: Virginia assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-309.
What is the penalty for furnishing certain weapons to minors in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Furnishing dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife to minor — Person sells, barters, gives or furnishes a dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife to a minor, having good cause to believe the recipient is a minor.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Furnishing dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife to minor — Person sells, barters, gives or furnishes a dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife to a minor, having good cause to believe the recipient is a minor.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 5 years (Furnishing handgun to minor — Person sells, barters, gives or furnishes a handgun to a minor, having good cause to believe the recipient is a minor, unless the transfer is between family members or for a sporting event or activity.; or, at the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both (§ 18.2-10(f))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Furnishing handgun to minor — Person sells, barters, gives or furnishes a handgun to a minor, having good cause to believe the recipient is a minor, unless the transfer is between family members or for a sporting event or activity.; with the jail-confinement alternative under § 18.2-10(f)) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10 |
Applies to current.
How is furnishing certain weapons to minors classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furnishing dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife to minor | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Person sells, barters, gives or furnishes a dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife to a minor, having good cause to believe the recipient is a minor. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-309A |
| Furnishing handgun to minor | Class 6 Felony | Person sells, barters, gives or furnishes a handgun to a minor, having good cause to believe the recipient is a minor, unless the transfer is between family members or for a sporting event or activity. | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-309B |
Common questions about furnishing certain weapons to minors in Virginia
Is furnishing certain weapons to minors a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: furnishing certain weapons to minors ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-309.
Furnishing dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife to minor: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-309A) · Furnishing handgun to minor: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-309B)
What are the penalties for furnishing certain weapons to minors in Virginia?
Which Virginia statute covers furnishing certain weapons to minors?
Furnishing certain weapons to minors is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-309 (Furnishing certain weapons to minors; penalty).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.