http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/t...ion18.2-287.4/
It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (b) [...] on or about his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk,
Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to [...] any person having a valid concealed handgun permit or to any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or lawful recreational shooting activities at an established shooting range or shooting contest. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The exemptions set forth in §§ 18.2-308 and 18.2-308.016 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this section.
Seems no one has touched on the 20 or more "assault weapon" designation. Has anyone ever been charged under this statute? I always wondered about this one. It seems that a gun with a threaded barrel would fit under this description as well, which is clearly not an assault weapon. So if you use an FN 5.7 for self defense, or a Glock with a threaded barrel then you're going to catch this charge even if justified?
NECRO POSTING..... I KNOW!
^ emphasis mine:
FNH 5.7 have magazines with 10rd , 20 and 30rds.
One would have to have the 30rd mag inserted in the firearm (AND NOT HAVE A VALID CHP) for the charge to apply.
IMHO, the way the law is written, those with the 20rd mag inserted are not in violation of the law, even with a rd in the chamber.
IMHO, those carrying a rimfire with a mag inserted that holds more than 20rds (Kel-tec PMR, 30rd 22magnum) would also be legal the way the law is written.
Never been questioned (bothered) when I carry my FNH 5.7x28 or when I carried a Keltec PMR, YMMV.
as for the assault weapon charge see below:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...ed-buy-5-000-rounds-ammo-police-s/1081975001/
At this yrs Lobby Day I spoke with several officers that stated they could question (possibly arrest) those carrying AR's (pistol's/rifle's) with 30rd mags inserted for their valid CHP.
The mention of the threaded barrel (almost all ar's and now many other guns have) never came into the conversation.