Virginia gun laws

Handguns

No permit, but there's a limit of one handgun per 30 days (with exceptions through an enhanced check).

Long guns

No state permit required. Licensed dealers run the federal NICS background check.

No general registration (machine guns are registered with the Virginia State Police).

Permitless carry

No, not for concealed carry.

Concealed carry permit

Shall-issue (officials must issue a permit to anyone who qualifies): the Concealed Handgun Permit, from the circuit court.

Open carry

Generally legal for handguns, with local restrictions. Since July 1, 2026, it's a crime to carry an 'assault firearm' (as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2) on public streets, sidewalks, parks and other places open to the public anywhere in Virginia, loaded or not. There are exceptions for police, on-duty security guards and military, and for hunting and shooting ranges (§ 18.2-287.4, as amended by 2026 Acts ch. 1101 (HB 1524) and ch. 1025 (SB 727)).Unverified: We haven't confirmed this against the statute yet. Check the official source. See the note below.

Reciprocity

Until July 1, 2027, Virginia honors any other state's concealed handgun permit for holders 21 or older, as long as the issuing state offers 24-hour verification, you carry government photo ID and show it with the permit on request, and you've never had a Virginia permit revoked (§ 18.2-308.014). From July 1, 2027, Virginia will honor only states whose permit standards the Attorney General finds substantially similar (State Police will publish the list), and Virginia residents will need a Virginia permit (2026 Acts ch. 879). Check the State Police list before you travel.

Enacted but blocked in court (enjoined). SB 749/HB 217 bans the sale, manufacture, import and transfer of 'assault firearms' (effective July 1, 2026). A Lancaster County judge blocked enforcement against the plaintiffs (Crump v. Katz, June 25, 2026), and a statewide preliminary injunction in Santolla v. Katz (Washington County Circuit Court) took effect July 21, 2026. Both cases are reported to be on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court's AR-15 decision, with the injunctions left in place. Not currently enforceable.

Enacted but blocked in court (enjoined): a ban on selling or transferring magazines over 15 rounds (the same law and injunction).

None at the state level. Dealers run the federal NICS background check only.

Yes, universal since 2020. Virginia State Police notes that all sales, including private sales, require checks effective July 1, 2026.

Yes. Virginia has Substantial Risk Orders (2020; expanded 2026).

Suppressors

Legal to own under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).

Short-barreled rifles and shotguns

Legal under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).

No state background check, license or permit for buying ammunition was identified.

Handgun purchase

21, from dealers and in private sales. Since April 22, 2026, it's a crime for anyone under 21 to buy a handgun anywhere in Virginia (§ 18.2-308.7(C); 2026 Acts ch. 1102, HB 1525).

Long gun purchase

18 for most long guns; 21 for an 'assault firearm' (§ 18.2-308.7(C)).

Notes

HB 1525 was enacted with the governor's amendments (2026 Acts ch. 1102) and took effect right away on April 22, 2026. People under 18 generally can't possess a handgun or 'assault firearm', with exceptions such as at home, or at a range or hunting with an adult (§ 18.2-308.7(B), (E)).

If the injunction is lifted, sellers would stop shipping covered rifles and 15+ round magazines to VA. A 2026 ghost-gun law (HB 40/SB 323) bans making, selling or transferring unserialized firearms and frames or receivers from Jan. 1, 2027, and the possession ban starts July 1, 2027.

Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.