Carrying a Firearm to Place of Religious Worship
It is a crime to carry firearms and other dangerous weapons to and in certain places in Virginia. One of these places at which the law specifically prohibits the carrying of firearms (without a good and sufficient reason) is a place of religious worship (Va. Code §18.2-283).
Carrying a Firearm to a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia
Carrying a Firearm into a Place of Religious Worship in Virginia is a Misdemeanor
Carrying a firearm 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 is punished with a fine as high as $250.
The Commonwealth can convict someone of committing this offense by proving that an offender:
- carried
- a gun or pistol
- 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 handgun is any pistol or revolver or other firearm, except a machine gun, that was originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile by an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when being held in one hand.
A pistol is a weapon that was originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile from one or more barrels when held in one hand, and having: a chamber as an integral part of or permanently aligned with the bore and a short stock designed to be gripped by one hand at an angle to and extending below the line of the bore.
A revolver is a handgun with a revolving cylinder for ammo, and is operated by pulling the trigger which rotates the cylinder, cocks the hammer, and causes the gun to fire.
A firearm is an instrument that was designed, made, and intended to expel a projectile by means of an explosion.
A machine gun is a gun which fires more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger.
Click here for more information on firearms in Virginia.
Click here for more information on dangerous weapons in Virginia.
Click here for more information on carrying a gun into a place of religious worship in Virginia.
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