Is firearms legal in Virginia?

Q: Is firearms legal in Virginia?

Firearms in Virginia is permitted with conditions. Open carry: legal at 18 without a permit, but several cities/counties (incl. Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church) ban OC in public buildings, parks, and at permitted events. Concealed: shall-issue permit at 21+.

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VIRGINIA · FIREARMS

Firearms

Conditional

Summary

Open carry: legal at 18 without a permit, but several cities/counties (incl. Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church) ban OC in public buildings, parks, and at permitted events. Concealed: shall-issue permit at 21+.

Penalties

Firearms is allowed with limits in Virginia — and crossing those limits still bites. See the fines, charges, and where the line is.

Exceptions & nuances

Firearms in Virginia comes with real conditions. See the exemptions, age and place rules, and edge cases that decide outcomes.

Statute

Read the exact Virginia statute covering firearms — the citation when you want to check the source.

Last updated: May 28, 2026

LawLert is informational only — not legal advice. Verify with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.