Carrying Bowie Knife to Place of Religious Worship in Virginia

February 20, 2020 by Jean Humbrecht

It is against the law to carry a bowie knife and other dangerous weapons to and in a number of places in Virginia. One such prohibition is Carrying a Bowie Knife to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-283). 

Carrying a Bowie to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia

carrying a bowie knife to a place of religious worship in Virginia

Carrying ia Bowie Knife to a Place of Religious Worship in VIrginia is a Crime-even with a Concealed Carry Permit

Carrying a bowie knife to a place of religious worship in Virginia (without a good and sufficient reason) while a meeting for religious purposes is taking place is a crime (Va. Code §18.2-283). It is a Class 4 misdemeanor and it is punished with a fine as high as $250.

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

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

A bowie knife in Virginia is a large hunting knife adapted for knife-fighting with a 10 to 15 inch long blade.

This crime can also be committed by bringing other weapons into a place of religious worship in Virginia. These weapons include guns (including pistols and revolvers), daggers, and other dangerous weapons.

For more information on carrying guns into a place of religious worship in Virginia, click here.

For more information on carrying firearms into a place of religious worship in Virginia, click here.

For more information on carrying a pistol into a place of religious worship in Virginia, click here.

For more information on carrying a revolver into a place of religious worship in Virginia, click here.

For more information on carrying a dagger into a place of religious worship in Virginia, click here.

For more information on carrying other dangerous weapons into a place of religious worship in Virginia, click here.

For more general information on carrying firearms in Virginia, click here.

For more general information on carrying weapons in Virginia, click here.

 

 

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