Do I Have To Report a Stolen Firearm in Virginia?

Do I Have to Report a Stolen Firearm in Virginia?

Anyone who is in lawful possession of a firearm in Virginia must immediately report a theft of his or her firearm (Va. Code §18.2-287.5). Failure to timely report a stolen firearm will result in a fine and the person could be held both civilly and criminally liable for any acts resulting from the unreported theft.

What is a Firearm?

A “firearm” in Virginia is “an instrument designed, made, and intended to expel a projectile by means of an explosion.” It is not necessary to prove that the instrument was “operable,” “capable of being fired,” or has the “actual capacity to do serious harm.”

Do I Have to Report a Stolen Firearm in Virginia?

Anyone in lawful possession of a firearm in Virginia has a duty to report a stolen firearm to a local law-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police within 48 hours of discovering or being informed of the theft. The law-enforcement agency will then update that information into the National Crime Information Center.

Any person who, in good faith, reports a stolen firearm in Virginia will not be held liable for damages resulting from the theft.

Failure to Report a Stolen Firearm

Failing to report a stolen firearm in Virginia is punished with a fine up to $250 and the person could be held both civilly and criminally liable for any acts resulting from the unreported theft.

***DISCLAIMER: THE MATERIAL AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS POST, ON ANY PAGES ON THIS WEBSITE, AND ON ANY PAGES LINKED FROM THESE PAGES, ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND NOT LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY IN YOUR JURISDICTION BEFORE RELYING ON ANY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THESE PAGES. SENDING EMAIL TO OR VIEWING INFORMATION FROM THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP***