Virginia legal term
Firearm in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Firearm” 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 “Firearm” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Firearm" means any handgun, shotgun, or rifle that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material. (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.2:2)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Assault and battery
- Carrying concealed weapons
- Disarming a law-enforcement or correctional officer
- Fraudulent use of birth certificates, etc
- Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance
- Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited
- Prohibiting the selling, etc., of firearms to certain persons
- Prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms
- Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders
- Reckless handling of firearms
- Removing, altering, etc., serial number or other identification on firearm
- Threats to bomb, damage, or discharge a firearm within or at buildings or means of transportation
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.