1227(a) (2)(C) (firearms offense)7 If type of firearm is not included in federal definition (e.g. Many Virginia gun owners do not hold a concealed carry permit because they feel telling the government they own a gun it is a violation of their privacy, and they do not wish to be added to a government-held list of firearm owners. Virginia law permits carrying of concealed weapons with a properly issued government permit. A. If youre reading this for anything important, you should double-check its And, a purchaser who receives a firearm from another person without obtaining the required background check can also be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. Concealed carry [], ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CASE RESULT: Trial for Impersonating Law Enforcement Officer, Brandishing a Firearm (VA Code 18.2-282), and Driving on a Suspended License, resulted in a NOT GUILTY finding for the Impersonating Law Enforcement charge and the Driving on Suspended charge, and no active jail time for the [], ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA: Class 1 misdemeanor charge for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit under VA Code 18.2-308 was AMENDED to a disorderly conduct charge with no active jail time, a fine, and weapon surrender. (b) This section shall not apply to persons who are exempt from Code of Virginia, 18.2-308(A). B. Any person who handles any firearm in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life and causes the serious bodily injury of another person resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment is guilty of a Class 6 felony. (f) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm from or across any highway, sidewalk or any public land except on a properly constructed target range. Brandishing is a type of assault by showing of a firearm. Home Criminal Defense Reckless Handling of a Firearm: Va. Code 18.2-56.1. A1. Lee went outside and called out for the money. A violation of this law is a class 1 misdemeanor offense. 444, 579; 2020, c. 958. Fairfax County: 6-1-2. A. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to point, or brandish any firearm, as hereinafter described, or any object similar in appearance to a firearm, whether capable of being fired or not, in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another. When interpreting statutes, courts ascertain and give effect to the intention of the legislature. That intent is usually self-evident from the words used in the statute. Under VA law, the following persons are disqualified [], Virginia Firearms Offenses Penalty Table Description of Offense Code Section Criminal Classification Maximum Imprisonment Maximum Fine Brandishing firearm Va. Code 18.2-282 Class 1 Misdemeanor 12 Months $2,500.00 Fine Brandishing near School Va. Code 18.2-282 Class 6 Felony 5 Years $2,500.00 Fine Reckless handling of firearm Va. Code 18.2-56.1 Class 1 [], ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CASE RESULT Class 1 Misdemeanor charge for Reckless Handling of a Firearm in Alexandria, Virginia resulted in DROPPED charges. Upon arrival, it was determined the suspect allegedly discharged a firearm in his residence, causing damage to the interior of his home and an adjacent unit. A Virginia court has ruled that a deadly weapon may not be brandished solely in defense of personal property. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot any firearm in any areas of the County that are so heavily populated as to make such conduct dangerous to the inhabitants thereof, which areas are designated in Appendix J to the Fairfax County Code. Vienna Sec. A1. Read more about Virginia firearm laws here: Virginia Firearm & Weapon Charges and Hunting Laws: Defense Lawyers Explanation of Brandishing, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, and [], ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA Criminal Defense Attorney Case Result: A Class 1 misdemeanor charge for Carrying Firearm While Intoxicated (Va Law 18.2-308.012) was avoided with plea to related driving under the influence charge and minimum penalties under the law for the offense. Firearms may lawfully be discharged in those areas that are exempted in Appendix J to the Fairfax County Code so long as the firearms are discharged on a Parcel of Land that is posted with signs giving reasonable notice that firearms are in use on that Parcel of Land and that no trespassing is allowed. In 2009, the Supreme Court of Virginia decided in the case of Thompson v. Commonwealth that it is insufficient as a matter of law to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the butterfly knife at issue is of like kind to a dirk or any other weapon enumerated in Code 18.2-308(A). 10-45.1. When the seizing agency ceases to so use the weapon, it shall be disposed of as otherwise provided in this section. It shall be unlawful for any person to handle recklessly any firearm so as to endanger the. 1 0 obj A1. Appellant argues that we should employ the definition of firearm applicable to Code 18.2308.2 in assessing the sufficiency of the evidence for his conviction under Code 18.256.1(A). 3. The term ammunition means cartridge, pellet, ball, missile or projectile adapted for use in a firearm. Read more about Fairfax criminal defense attorney Marina Medvin, who represented this client and achieved this result. Thus, the courts were left to interpret whether a butterfly knife is a weapon that cannot be concealed under the code section as the ones described above. Booking Date: 2/26/2023. It shall be unlawful for any person to handle recklessly any firearm so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Information by, in, to or through this Web site and your receiptoruse of it (1) isnotprovided in the course of and does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship, (2) is not intended as a solicitation, (3) isnotintended to convey or constitute legal advice, and (4) isnota substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. If this section is violated while the person is engaged in hunting, trapping or pursuing game, the trial judge may, in addition to the penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, revoke such persons hunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap while possessing a firearm for a period of one to five years. Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting. Fairfax County General District Court: 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. Any firearm, stun weapon as defined by 18.2-308.1, or any weapon concealed, possessed, transported or carried in violation of 18.2-283.1, 18.2-287.01, 18.2-287.4, 18.2-308.1:2, 18.2-308.1:3, 18.2-308.1:4, 18.2-308.2, 18.2-308.2:01, 18.2-308.2:1, 18.2-308.4, 18.2-308.5, 18.2-308.7, or 18.2-308.8 shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth and disposed of as provided in 19.2-386.29. (6) Discharge of any firearm for the purpose of protecting any person from death or great bodily harm. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, There is a newer version Unlawfully discharging a gun. It shall be unlawful for any person to handle recklessly any firearm so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge or shoot or throw any dangerous missiles bymechanical, explosive, air-or gas-propelled means, or similar method or device onto or across any public sidewalk,path, or roadway, at any public structure or building, or at or onto the property of another. Virginia law makes reckless handling of firearms a class 1 misdemeanor. FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. C. Upon a revocation pursuant to subsection B hereof, the clerk of the court in which the case is tried pursuant to this section shall forthwith send to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (i) such persons revoked hunting or trapping license or notice that such persons privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and (ii) a notice of the length of revocation imposed. Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. (a) A person is guilty of a felony who, while in or having just exited from a motor vehicle, recklessly discharges a firearm at or toward: (1) an unoccupied motor vehicle or building; (2) an occupied motor vehicle or building; or. Discharge of firearms. As you can tell these charges are serious by their very nature. Read more about Virginia [], Under current federal law, a federal felony conviction results in the permanent loss of firearm possession rights. (d) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt with a shotgun loaded with slugs. Height: 510. The Possession charge was DROPPED, which means the client did not [], FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA: VA Code 18.2-250.1 was charged for possession of drug paraphernalia, 8 film containers of marijuana, and possession of a handgun in the same bag. . In Virginia, it is illegal to handle recklessly any firearm in such a way that endangers the life, limb, or property of another person. REPORTS RECKLESS HANDLING OF A FIREARM, 2023-02280101, 5800 block of Washington Boulevard. Thus, firing two shots would be two counts of unlawful discharge. Va Law 18.2-282. PDF. Read Section 18.2-56.1 - Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting, Va. Code 18.2-56.1, see flags on bad law, and search Casetext's comprehensive legal database All State & Fed. x=r8?Q o5]r'e$[SyP,%%o %i*+ ;2O.K_z6~y'WrR/u6V''Wg~ H$Xj-? Further, VA Code Ann. The client was charged with Threat to Bomb or Burn(18.2-83) and Profane Language over the Telephone (18.2-427). Shooter pleaded guilty to that charge. 18.2-56.1. What does Reckless Handling of a Firearm mean in Virginia? at 584, 562 S.E.2d at 145. Call us to inquire about eligibilityfor a free consultation. Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty. Client was able to keep his concealed carry permit. The trial court acquitted the defendant of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, concluding that the respective statutes required different standard[s] of proof of a firearm. Additional felony charges for firearm possession (18.2-308.4) and PWID Possession with Intent to Distribute (18.2-248, [], ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA: Class 1 misdemeanor offense of Reckless Handling of a Firearm under VA Code 18.2-56.1 will be DISMISSED conditioned on completing a gun safety course at the NRA and surrender of concealed carry permit for one year. A violation of this Subsection shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor. If this section is violated while the person is engaged in hunting, trapping or pursuing game, the trial judge may, in addition to the penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, revoke such persons hunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap while possessing a firearm for a period of one to five years. V\!;T83C2ma &#D 'Xq?E:)&k\*p^^P^i n|F%6k>t%5v5+I2=^/aq`XXd :&775yF'$o The weapons covered by the law are handguns, switchblade knives and some fixed blade knives, razors, slingshots, brass knuckles, spring sticks, throwing stars, ballistic knives, machetes, blackjacks, and nunchucks or fighting chains. Contact us. <> Any person violatingthis section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Department shall keep a list which shall be furnished upon request to any law-enforcement officer, the attorney for the Commonwealth or court in this Commonwealth, and such list shall contain the names and addresses of all persons whose license or privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and the court which took such action. z$Q 8QHlOe9yc`47032!s'i;}aY Please check official sources. Va Code 18.2-287.01: Carrying weapon in air carrier airport terminal. Lee was standing about twenty meters from appellant. of Virginia also regulates the transfer and record . Call us to see if you are eligible for a free phone consultation with a criminal defense attorney. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Such disposition may include the destruction of the weapons or, subject to any registration requirements of federal law, sale of the firearms to a licensed dealer in such firearms in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 22.1 ( 19.2-386.1 et seq.) Only a lawyer can . A1. For more information on Brandishing a Firearm in Virginia, click here. Charges: Charge Code . By that definition, he argues, the evidence is insufficient to prove that he recklessly handled such a firearm.. The client was a young student with no criminal record. A defense to brandishing is exercising justifiable self-defense. D. If any person whose license to hunt and trap, or whose privilege to hunt and trap while in possession of a firearm, has been revoked pursuant to this section, thereafter hunts or traps while in possession of a firearm, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in addition to any penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, the trial judge may revoke such persons hunting or trapping license and privileges to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm for a period of one year to life. Read more about Weapons Law here: Virginia Firearm & Weapon Charges and Hunting Laws: Defense [], FAIRFAX VIRGINIA: VA Code 18.2-308, Class 1 Misdemeanor offense for carrying a concealed handgun while under the influence of alcohol in a public place was DROPPED with an informal agreement not to use the concealed carry permit for a period of 5 years.