Open Carry in Virginia
Whether open carry is legal in Virginia, any permit or age rules, and where it is banned.
Short answer: Generally allowed without a permit for people who may lawfully possess firearms; no general state open-carry ban or permit exists. Va. Code §§ 18.2-287.4 (both versions); 18.2-308.7(B)
| Open carry | Generally allowed without a permit for people who may lawfully possess firearms; no general state open-carry ban or permit exists. Limits: persons under 18 may not possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm except in listed situations; and in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Virginia Beach and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun and Prince William, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to carry in public a loaded semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol with a magazine holding more than 20 rounds (or designed for a silencer or with a folding stock) or a shotgun with a magazine holding more than seven rounds, unless the person has a concealed handgun permit or another exemption applies. From July 1, 2027, that section is replaced by a statewide ban on carrying an 'assault firearm' in public places (exceptions for law enforcement, military, cadets, hunting and ranges). The July 1, 2027 version was enacted by 2026, cc. 1025, 1101 and 2026 Sp. Sess. I, c. 1. |
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| Guns in your car | A person who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry a handgun without a permit in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel if the handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle; otherwise a hidden handgun requires a concealed handgun permit. Since 2026, a handgun left in an unattended vehicle (on public property or in a commercial or retail parking area, where no occupant can observe the vehicle) must be out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container, such as a locked glove compartment or center console (Class 4 misdemeanor). Unattended vehicles: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter7/section18.2-308.7:2/ (2026, cc. 560, 561). |
| Where guns are banned | Main places: (1) property of child day centers and public, private or religious preschools and K-12 schools, including buildings, grounds and school buses, and areas used for school functions while they occur (Class 6 felony, with listed exceptions); (2) courthouses; (3) the Capitol, Capitol Square and surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, and offices where state employees regularly work; (4) within 100 feet of a polling place while polls are open, ballots are counted, or within one hour of opening or after closing; (5) air carrier airport terminals; (6) hospitals providing mental health or developmental services; (7) places of religious worship without good and sufficient reason. Permit holders may not carry while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or illegal drugs in a public place, and may not drink alcohol while carrying concealed in a licensed restaurant or club. |
More Virginia gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Virginia
- Buying a Gun in Virginia
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Virginia
- All Virginia gun laws rules
FAQ
Is open carry legal in Virginia?
Generally allowed without a permit for people who may lawfully possess firearms; no general state open-carry ban or permit exists. Limits: persons under 18 may not possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm except in listed situations; and in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Virginia Beach and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun and Prince William, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to carry in public a loaded semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol with a magazine holding more than 20 rounds (or designed for a silencer or with a folding stock) or a shotgun with a magazine holding more than seven rounds, unless the person has a concealed handgun permit or another exemption applies. From July 1, 2027, that section is replaced by a statewide ban on carrying an 'assault firearm' in public places (exceptions for law enforcement, military, cadets, hunting and ranges).
Can you keep a gun in your car in Virginia without a permit?
A person who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry a handgun without a permit in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel if the handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle; otherwise a hidden handgun requires a concealed handgun permit. Since 2026, a handgun left in an unattended vehicle (on public property or in a commercial or retail parking area, where no occupant can observe the vehicle) must be out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container, such as a locked glove compartment or center console (Class 4 misdemeanor).
Where can't you carry a gun in Virginia?
Main places: (1) property of child day centers and public, private or religious preschools and K-12 schools, including buildings, grounds and school buses, and areas used for school functions while they occur (Class 6 felony, with listed exceptions); (2) courthouses; (3) the Capitol, Capitol Square and surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, and offices where state employees regularly work; (4) within 100 feet of a polling place while polls are open, ballots are counted, or within one hour of opening or after closing; (5) air carrier airport terminals; (6) hospitals providing mental health or developmental services; (7) places of religious worship without good and sufficient reason. Permit holders may not carry while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or illegal drugs in a public place, and may not drink alcohol while carrying concealed in a licensed restaurant or club.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.