
Open Carry is legal in Virginia in most places with or without a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP).
Concealed Carry requires, with a few exceptions, a CHP. (See §18.2-308, Sections B, C, & D for the exceptions.)
However, some restrictions may apply.
Places where carry is prohibited in Virginia
Effective: December 3, 2015 – June 30, 2020
- Federal facilities (buildings) (18 USC § 930)
- Many federal agency lands (various federal regulations)
- National Forests — open carry prohibited except where hunting is allowed (4VAC15-40-60)
- General Assembly Buildings except for CHP holders (Joint Rules Committee rule)
- Virginia Executive Branch offices: open carry (Executive Order 50 Section VI) and concealed carry (1VAC30-105)
- Land owned or managed by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries — open carry prohibited except where hunting is allowed (4VAC15-40-60)
- Hog Island Wildlife Management Area (4VAC15-40-120)
- Buggs Island (4VAC15-40-140)
- State law (§18.2-287.4) prohibits the carry by a non-CHP holder of a loaded:
- semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that is
- equipped with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of centerfire ammunition
- or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer
- or equipped with a folding stock
- shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds
- semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that is
in the following localities:
- Cities of:
- Alexandria
- Chesapeake
- Fairfax
- Falls Church
- Newport News
- Norfolk
- Richmond
- Virginia Beach
- Counties of:
- Arlington
- Fairfax
- Henrico
- Loudoun
- Prince William
Carry this information with you by printing your own VCDL Carry Card!
Virginia Citizens Defense League
Address: PO. Box 513, Newington, VA 22122
Phone: 804-639-0600 • 703-372-3285 • 757-271-3705 • 540-446-5783