Carrying Dagger to Place of Religious Worship in Virginia

February 20, 2019 by Jean Humbrecht

It is a crime to carry a dagger and other dangerous weapons to and in a number of places in Virginia. One such prohibition is Carrying a Dagger to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-283). 

Carrying a Dagger to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia

carrying a dagger to a place of religious worship in virginia

Carrying a Dagger to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia is a Misdemeanor

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

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

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

A dagger in Virginia refers to a short knife used for stabbing.

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

For more information on carrying a gun 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 bowie knife to a place of religious worship in Virginia, click here.

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

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

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

 

 

 

***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***