Reckless Handling of Firearms

Virginia criminalizes a number of acts involving firearms, regardless of whether the offender has a concealed handgun permit. Some of these offenses include shooting and discharging crimes, possession crimes, transferring crimes, and reckless handling crimes. One specific handling offense is the Reckless Handling of Firearms in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-56.1.

Reckless Handling of Firearms in Virginia

Reckless Handling of Firearms in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-56.1) can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the level of recklessness the offender exhibited. 

A person can be convicted of this offenses even if no one was injured as a result of the reckless handling of a firearm. He or she can even be convicted of this offense if he or she did not shoot the firearm or if the firearm did not discharge at all.

Penalties for Reckless Handling of Firearms in Virginia

The penalty for the Reckless Handling of Firearms in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-56.1 varies based on the level of recklessness of the offender.

Recklessly Handling a Firearm so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This offense is punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500.

However, if the offender handled a firearm in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life and thereby caused serious bodily injury to another person which resulted in permanent and significant physical impairment, this offense is a Class 6 felony. It is punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.

If the offender was found to be recklessly handling a firearm while hunting, trapping or pursuing game in Virginia, his or her hunting or trapping license and privilege to hunt or trap while possessing a firearm may be revoked for 1-5 years. This revocation is in addition to any other penalty imposed as a result of this offense.

Hunting or trapping while in possession of a firearm while such person’s license to hunt or trap has been revoked or whose privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked can result in another misdemeanor charge, punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500. The judge can also impose a civil penalty of a revocation of the offender’s hunting or trapping license or privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm can be revoked for 1 year to life.

For more information on Reckless Handling of a Firearm in Virginia, click here.

For more information on Reckless Handling of a Firearm while Hunting, Trapping, or Pursuing Game in Virginia, click here.

For more information on Reckless Handling of a Firearm while Hunting in Virginia, click here.

For more information on Reckless Handling of a Firearm while Trapping in Virginia, click here.

For more information on Reckless Handling of a Firearm while Pursuing Game in Virginia, click here.

For more information on the revocation of a hunting and trapping license after Recklessly Handling a Firearm in Virginia, click here.

For more information on the revocation of the privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm after Recklessly Handling a Firearm in Virginia, click here.

For more information on the revocation of a hunting and trapping license or revocation of the privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm in Virginia after a Recklessly Handling of a Firearm conviction in Virginia, click here.

For more information on Hunting and Firearms in Virginia, click here.

For more information on Hunting laws in Virginia, click here.