Setting Spring Gun or Other Deadly Weapon
Virginia has criminalized a number of actions relating to firearms. One such crime is setting a spring or other deadly weapon.
Setting Spring Gun or Other Deadly Weapon in Virginia
Setting up a firearm or other deadly weapon so that it can be discharged or activated by someone coming into contact with it or designing it to activate remotely is a Class 6 felony in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-281). This offense is punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500. If someone dies as a result, the offense can be charged as Murder (Va. Code §18.2-33).
Setting a Spring Gun in Virginia
A spring gun is a firearm or another deadly weapon arranged so that it can be automatically discharged when someone comes into contact with a triggering system.
The Charge Setting Spring Gun or Other Deadly Weapon in Virginia is a Felony
The Commonwealth can prove this offense in a variety of ways, including:
- by proving that the offender:
- set or fixed in any manner
- a firearm
- so that it could be discharged or activated
- by someone coming into contact with it
- by proving that the offender:
-
- set or fixed in any manner
- a firearm
- so that it could be discharged or activated
- with a string, wire, spring, or by any other contrivance attached to it
-
- by proving that the offender:
- set or fixed in any manner
- a firearm
- so that it could be discharged or activated
- remotely
Setting a Deadly Weapon in Virginia
The Commonwealth can also convict someone under this statute by proving that the offender set a deadly weapon other than a firearm to be discharged or activated by someone coming into contact with it. A deadly weapon in Virginia is an instrument likely to produce great bodily harm or death from the way it is used. Objects that would not traditionally be considered weapons can be deadly weapons if they are used in a vicious or cruel way, such as if the victim is impelled into the object.
The Commonwealth can prove this offense in a variety of ways, including:
- by proving that the offender:
- set or fixed in any manner
- a deadly weapon
- so that it could be discharged or activated
- by a person
- coming in contact with it
- by proving that the offender:
- set or fixed in any manner
- a deadly weapon
- so that it could be discharged or activated
- with a string, wire, spring, or by any other contrivance attached to it
- by proving that the offender
- set or fixed in any manner
- a deadly weapon
- so that it could be discharged or activated
- remotely
For more information on Murder charges resulting from setting a spring gun or other deadly weapon in Virginia, click here.
For more information on Felony Murder charges resulting from setting a spring gun or other deadly weapon in Virginia, click here.
For more information on Murder charges resulting from setting a spring gun in Virginia, click here.
For more information on Felony Murder resulting from setting a spring gun in Virginia, click here.
For more information on Murder charges resulting from setting a deadly weapon in Virginia, click here.
For more information on Felony Murder resulting from setting a deadly weapon in Virginia, click here.
For more general information on Murder charges in Virginia, click here.
For more information on Felony Murder in Virginia, click here.