Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hey guys

I recently bought a truck and i do not have a lockbox on it, how would i take my gun to the range and move it around the state?

Cased, unloaded and behind the seat should work fine. You can also open carry it in a rifle rack that is visable to common observation.

wally626 wrote:Cased, unloaded and behind the seat should work fine. You can also open carry it in a rifle rack that is visable to common observation.

Ill keep it on the back seat unloaded. i would hate to have it sitting right there in the open

Are you transporting a pistol or a rifle?

sorry, rifle, a .22lr and soon a mosin maybe

In general, in Virginia, as long as you are at least 18 years old and not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm, you can carry a firearm anywhere that is not prohibited (e.g., courthouse, school), as long as you do not conceal the firearm. Of course, if you have a concealed handgun permit, then you can conceal a handgun. I typically have my .45 with me in my truck, either in a pocket in my briefcase, or in the center console. That is "concealed," but I have a CHP.

It is legal to have them loaded and on the seat in the open, if you want, believe it or not.

The only caveat I know of is Virginia Code § 18.2-287.4, which prohibits carrying "(a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol ... 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) shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered", 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.

Note that this is limited to carrying "on or about your person." So walking around with it with an AR-15 slung over your shoulder in those areas would be a no-no, but having it in the back seat of your car should be ok, as long as it is not within your reach ("about" your person).

IANAL But In VA you can carry a firearm secured in the glovebox or center console without a CHP

§ 18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.
B.
Except as provided in subsection J1, this section shall not apply to:
10. Any person who may lawfully possess a firearm and is carrying a handgun while in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel and such handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel.