Virginia has preempted firearms laws that govern the entire state. Local law enforcement has the right to regulate any firearm discharge, the transporting of loaded shotguns and rifles, the fingerprinting for certain permits -- including concealed weapons permits -- pneumatic gun usage, and any revolver or pistol sellers as through the county clerk's office.

Any fingerprints taken as a concealed weapons permit requirement can later be returned. Law enforcement has the rights to check the weapon number, the purchasing date, the weapon itself, the name of the weapon owner, and the weapon's caliber upon weapon purchase.

Virginia Legal Issues
Virginia has made some firearms illegal to be possessed in state lines. These include semi-automatic shotguns designated as folding stock with a spring tension magazine as well as Striker 12 Shotguns. These firearms are described as too dangerous for usage. All machine guns are to be under registration through the state police department as designated by the National Firearms Act.

Prohibiting Firearms
Virginia has specific places where the law disallows firearms to enter. Since these places are prohibited, consequences will subsequently follow. Firearms are illegal in courthouses, any place where there are religious meetings, air carrier airport terminals, public school property, private school property, and school functions.

Firearms cannot have more than twenty rounds when loaded nor can a shotgun hold more than seven shells at a time while on a public road, a public street, a sidewalk, an alley, a public park, or a right-of-way. Virginia also does not allow these kinds of firearms in any public place in the cities of Richmond, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Alexandria, Newport News, Fairfax, Virginia Beach, and Falls Church.

Certain counties also prohibit these firearms including Prince William, Henrico, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington. This law, however, does not apply to those with concealed weapons permits.

Concealed weapons are not prohibited on any premises that sell alcohol, including clubs, bars, and restaurants. The Virginia Code altered this law in 2010 to say that those with concealed weapons permits are allowed to possess firearms in alcohol-serving establishments as long as they do not consume alcohol themselves. Law enforcement officers are allowed to consume alcohol and carry concealed weapons. Firearms are also not permitted in state parks unless in the outlined areas where concealed weapons may be possessed with a permit.

Possession Eligibility
Only certain individuals are allowed to possess firearms in Virginia and many are not prohibited to possess any kind of firearm at all. These include individuals acquitted due to insanity reasons; individuals adjudicated due to mental incompetency; individuals involuntarily committed to treatment centers; individuals designated to protective orders; individuals under drug offense convictions for five years or more; individuals under kidnapping, felony, rape, or robbery convictions while using a firearm; non-United States citizens; and individuals under the age of eighteen.

Minors under eighteen may possess firearms while in the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. Children over the age of twelve are not allowed to use firearms unless authorized by an adult over the age of twenty-one in designated areas.