Allowing Child Under 14 Access to Firearms in Virginia

There are several recent changes to firearms laws in Virginia. One major change is the penalty for leaving a loaded and unsecured firearm in a manner that endangers a child under the age of 14. For information on the penalty for Allowing Child Under 14 Access to Firearms in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-56.2), read the post below.

For more information on other recent changes to firearm laws in Virginia, click here.

For more information on changes to other Virginia criminal laws, click here.

Allowing Child Under 14 Access to Firearms in Virginia

Allowing a Child Under 14 Access to Firearms in Virginia is a Crime

In Virginia, it is a crime to recklessly leave a loaded and unsecured firearm in a manner that endangers the life or limb of a child under the age of 14.

Penalty for Allowing a Child Under 14 Access to Firearms in Virginia

Previously, this offense was a Class 3 misdemeanor and was punished with a fine up to $500. Class 3 misdemeanors in Virginia are not punished with any jail time.

A violation of this code section is now a Class 1 misdemeanor. It is punished with up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.

This change in the law took effect on July 1, 2020, in addition to many other changes to firearm and other criminal laws in Virginia.

Click here to see a full list of the changes in Virginia laws that took effect on July 1, 2020

***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***