Carrying a Dangerous Weapon to Place of Religious Worship in Virginia

March 16, 2016 by Jean Humbrecht

It is a crime to carry dangerous weapons to and in a number of specific places in Virginia. One such place at which the carrying of a dangerous weapon is prohibited is a place of religious worship. For more information on Carrying a Dangerous Weapon to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-283), see below.

Carrying a Dangerous Weapon to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia

carrying a dangerous weapon to a place of religious worship in virginia

Carrying a Dangerous Weapon to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia is a Crime

Carrying a dangerous weapon to a place of religious worship in Virginia (without a good reason) while a meeting for religious purposes is being held is a crime under Va. Code §18.2-283. This offense is a Class 4 misdemeanor and is punished with a fine up to $250.

The Commonwealth can prove this offense by showing that an offender:

  • carried
  • a dangerous weapon
  • without a good and sufficient reason
  • to a place of religious worship
  • while a meeting for religious purposes is being held
  • at such place

This statute also bans carrying specific weapons to places of religious worship in Virginia. The banned weapons include guns (specifically pistols and revolvers), daggers, and bowie knives. The term dangerous weapon is included to cover any weapons not specifically listed.

Click here for more information on handguns in Virginia.

Click here for more information on pistols in Virginia.

Click here for more information on revolvers in Virginia.

Click here for more information on daggers in Virginia.

Click here for more information on bowie knives in Virginia.

Click here for more information on carrying a handgun to a place of religious worship in Virginia.

Click here for more information on carrying a pistol to a place of religious worship in Virginia.

Click here for more information on carrying a revolver to a place of religious worship in Virginia.

Click here for more information on carrying a dagger to a place of religious worship in Virginia.

Click here for more information on carrying a bowie knife to a place of religious worship in Virginia.

Click here for more general information on carrying weapons in public places in Virginia.

Click here for more information on carrying firearms in public places in Virginia.

 

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