Gun Laws in Virginia
- Adam Garrett
- Jan 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 19, 2024
Above - my dad & I in a basic duck blind
Disclosures (i.e. verify with the most up-to-date government websites)
It is best to always check government websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information on law & confirm with government officials that government websites are up to date. Keep in mind that this list is not updated daily, is not comprehensive of all laws that pertain to firearms, and that Adam Garret is not an attorney. Also keep in mind that while VA laws should be followed, city/county law can add further restrictions (& often do). For instance, while night hunting might be allowed in some parts of VA per VA law, it won't be allowed in a place that doesn't allow any hunting or that imposes further restrictions on night hunting than the state does.
Gun Law Spreadsheet for SE VA
Here is a spreadsheet of gun laws and other elements impacting SE VA:
By going directly to the spreadsheet you'll find more rows and more columns with further information.
Not all of the cities & counties that I cover in SE VA are on this spreadsheet. Let me know if you'd like to see another city or county (or a few) added.
Information Throughout VA
To see some gun laws and gun violence rankings for VA, go to the following resource on the subject from a pro-gun control perspective:
https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/state/virginia/
To see some gun law information by state from the National Rifle Association (which is pro-gun), go here:
https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-gun-laws/virginia/
I pulled the 2nd amendment sanctuary information from VA2nd.com
I pulled the local firearms ordinances from a publication by DWR. You can find something similar but in a different format on ERegulations.
Night Hunting in VA
Night vision or infrared are unable to be used to hunt deer (see section B), while possible to use when hunting certain other animals.
Night Hunting Law:
Here's a solid resource for night hunting throughout the US categorized by state by Pointoptics. That said, it's not very detailed and could be misleading. For instance, it makes no mention of the fact that you cannot hunt deer at night, & cannot use night vision when hunting deer, while stating the following:
It's another reason why it's important to check the laws themselves before taking action based on online information (i.e. some laws I've linked above).
Here's another resource by FindaHunt specific to VA that's more detailed on VA regulations.
Nationwide
To see some gun law and gun violence rankings by state, go to the following resource on the subject from a pro-gun control perspective:
https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/
To see some gun law information by state from the National Rifle Association (which is pro-gun), go here:
Free Sighting In Ranges & Free Hunting
For those with a hunting license or freshwater fishing license, VA Wildlife Management areas are freely accessible. There are 6 sighting in ranges in the WMA's, & many more options for free hunting for those with a hunting license.
Sighting In Ranges:
Ranges Here
For free hunting options for those with a VA hunting license (not including stamp fees, if applicable), see them on DWR here or by selecting only the hunting layer here:
Related:
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