Am I Required to Report a Lost or Stolen Firearm in Virginia?

Am I required to report a lost or stolen firearm in Virginia? The law in Virginia requires that anyone who is in lawful possession of a firearm must immediately report a loss or theft of that firearm (Va. Code §18.2-287.5). Failure to timely do so will result in a civil penalty, and the person could be held criminally or civilly liable for any acts resulting from the loss or theft.

What is a Firearm?

Am I Required to Report a Lost or Stolen Firearm in Virginia?

The definition of “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.”

Am I Required to Report a Lost or Stolen Firearm in Virginia?

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

Any person who, in good faith, reports a loss or theft of a firearm will not be held criminally or civilly liable for damages resulting from the loss or theft.

Penalty for Not Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearm in Virginia

Failing to report a lost or stolen firearm in Virginia is punished with a civil penalty up to $250.

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