<P> Gun laws in Virginia regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long Guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Permit to purchase required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Firearm registration? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> § 18.2 - 295 </Td> <Td> Fully - automatic firearms (machine guns) are required to be registered with the state police . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Owner license required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Proof of age and citizenship required for the purchase of "assault weapons". </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Carry permits required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> § 18.2 - 308 </Td> <Td> Virginia is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry . Permits are issued to non-residents and training is permitted online or in person . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Open carry permitted? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> § 15.2 - 915.2 <P> § 18.2 - 287.4 § 18.2 - 282 . </P> </Td> <Td> Open carry is generally allowed without a permit for people 18 years of age and older . The following cities and counties have exceptions that disallow the open carry of "assault weapons" (any firearm that is equipped with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or is designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock) or shotguns equipped with a magazine that holds more than 7 rounds: the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, and Virginia Beach and in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, and Prince William . These restrictions do not apply to valid concealed carry permit holders . Stated differently, you may open carry an assault weapon / shotgun with more than 7 rounds with a permit in the aforementioned locations, but do not need a permit to do so in any other locality in Virginia . <P> For open carry in a vehicle, the firearm must be "properly secured in a container or compartment within the vehicle" (ie glove box, center console, trunk, etc). The container / compartment does not have to be locked, the firearm may be within the reach of the driver or a passenger, and the firearm may be loaded . This does not preempt an employer from prohibiting firearms "at a place of employment if there is a company policy or signage prohibiting firearms on the premises ." Furthermore, a "county or city may by ordinance make it unlawful for any person to transport, possess or carry a loaded shotgun or loaded rifle in any vehicle on any public street, road, or highway within such locality ." However, this does not "apply to duly authorized law - enforcement officers or military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, nor to any person who reasonably believes that a loaded rifle or shotgun is necessary for his personal safety in the course of his employment or business ." </P> <P> In addition, a firearm may be considered "open carry" in a vehicle if the firearm is openly visible, though this is not as well established as the "secured in a container / compartment" rule . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State preemption of local restrictions? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> § 15.2 - 915 </Td> <Td> Virginia has state preemption for most but not all firearm laws . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Assault weapon law? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> § 18.2 - 308.2: 2 <P> § 18.2 - 308.2: 01 § 18.2 - 308.7 </P> </Td> <Td> Proof of age (18 + for long arms, 21 + for pistols) and proof of citizenship (or permanent residence license) are required for the purchase of "assault weapons". "Assault weapons" are defined as a semi-automatic, centerfire, firearm equipped with a folding / adjustable stock, or equipped at the time with a magazine capable of holding more than 20 rounds, or capable of accommodating a silencer / suppressor . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Magazine restriction? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> § 18.2 - 287.4 <P> § 18.2 - 282 . </P> </Td> <Td> Magazines capable of holding more than 20 rounds are legal but, they make the firearm an "assault weapon", subject to law accordingly . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NFA weapons restricted? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> § 18.2 - 308.8 § 18.2 - 308.5 § 18.2 - 295 </Td> <Td> Fully - automatic firearms (machine guns) must be registered with the state police . Plastic firearms and some destructive devices (such as the striker 12 shotgun) are prohibited outside law enforcement . SBS, SBR, AOWs, and suppressors are legal with NFA paperwork . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Background checks required for private sales? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long Guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr>

Can you open carry a shotgun in virginia