Virginia Gun Laws (2026): CHP, Universal Background Checks & Substantial Risk Order

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Last updated May 2026 · By Nick Hall, CCW instructor tracking Virginia’s Concealed Handgun Permit under Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 et seq., the universal background check at § 18.2-308.2:5 (effective July 1, 2020), the Substantial Risk Order at § 19.2-152.13, and state preemption at § 15.2-915

Disclaimer: This is an editorial round-up of Virginia gun laws. We do our best to make sure it’s correct, but do not rely on this as legal advice. Consult a Virginia-licensed firearms attorney for any specific question.

Quick Answer: Virginia is a “shall-issue” state for concealed handgun permits (CHPs) in 2026, issued through circuit court clerks. Applicants must be 21 or older, complete a state-approved training course (in-person or online for resident applications), pay $50, and submit fingerprints. The permit is valid for 5 years.

Virginia has no assault weapon ban currently in force (2020 attempts failed to pass), no magazine capacity limit, and no statewide gun registration. Virginia does have universal background checks for handgun sales (private sales must be processed through an FFL) and a one-handgun-per-30-days limit. Open carry of long guns and handguns is legal without a permit.

The biggest mistake new Virginia carriers make is carrying onto Virginia state government buildings, where it is a misdemeanor under 2021 legislation. Virginia honors most out-of-state CCW permits issued by shall-issue states.

Looking for a brick-and-mortar shop in Virginia? See our best gun stores in Virginia guide for verified FFL dealers, ranges, and gunsmiths near you.

Virginia Gun Laws in 2026: What You Need to Know

TL;DR: Virginia gun laws sit in the moderate tier. There is no constitutional carry: a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) under Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 et seq. is required to carry concealed. The CHP is shall-issue through the local Circuit Court, age 21+, requires a state-approved firearms training course (in-person or online), $50 fee, valid five years. Open carry of a handgun is legal for adults 18+ without a permit. Universal background check under Va. Code § 18.2-308.2:5 (effective July 1, 2020). Substantial Risk Order (red flag) at § 19.2-152.13. No magazine cap, no assault weapons ban, no waiting period. Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine through case law. State preemption at § 15.2-915 with carve-outs (localities can prohibit firearms in government buildings, parks, and recreation centers).

Virginia gun laws shifted significantly in 2020 when Governor Ralph Northam and a Democratic-controlled General Assembly passed a package of firearms restrictions: universal background checks, the Substantial Risk Order (red flag) law, the one-handgun-a-month limit (later repealed in some forms), and expanded local-government authority to regulate firearms in certain places. Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) took office in January 2022 and the political environment shifted toward stability rather than further restriction. As of April 2026, the 2020 restrictions remain in place but no new layer has been added.

The CHP framework is straightforward shall-issue. The Circuit Court in the applicant’s county or city of residence issues the permit; the training requirement can be satisfied through an in-person course or an online course. Virginia honors permits from 25+ other states under formal reciprocity, and the Virginia CHP travels well under reciprocity in 30+ states.

Whether you live in Virginia, are moving here, or are just passing through, this page covers the 2026 rules with statute citations and official sources. VA gun laws sit within our broader U.S. gun laws by state hub.

Virginia Gun Laws: The Highlights

TL;DR: Virginia gun laws require a Concealed Handgun Permit under Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 (shall-issue, 21+, training course, $50, 5 years), allow open carry of handguns without a permit (18+), run universal background checks under § 18.2-308.2:5, codify a Substantial Risk Order (red flag) at § 19.2-152.13, recognize Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine through case law, and have NO magazine cap, NO assault weapons ban, NO waiting period. State preemption at § 15.2-915 with carve-outs allowing localities to restrict firearms in government buildings, parks, and recreation centers.

• Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) under Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 et seq. Shall-issue through the local Circuit Court. Age 21+, state-approved training course (in-person or online), $50 fee, valid five years.
• Open carry of handguns by adults 18+ legal without a permit. Open carry of long guns also legal but with restrictions in certain public events and gatherings.
• Universal background check under Va. Code § 18.2-308.2:5. All firearm transfers must be processed through a federally licensed dealer with a NICS check. Limited exceptions for transfers between immediate family.
• No state waiting period. NICS Proceed at the FFL means same-day pickup.
• Substantial Risk Order (red flag) at Va. Code § 19.2-152.13. Petition by Commonwealth’s Attorney or law enforcement; ex parte temporary order possible; hearing within 14 days; one-year order possible.
• Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine through Virginia case law (no statutory codification). No statutory civil immunity.
• State preemption at Va. Code § 15.2-915 with carve-outs. Localities may not regulate firearm ownership generally, but may prohibit firearms in government buildings, parks, recreation centers, and at permitted events as authorized by the 2020 amendments.
• No magazine capacity limit. No assault weapons ban. No state-level “ghost gun” prohibition.
• NFA items legal with federal ATF approval. Virginia does not add a state-level NFA layer. Suppressors legal for hunting under VDWR rules.
• Sensitive locations under Va. Code § 18.2-308.1 (schools), § 18.2-283 (places of worship during services with intent to disrupt), Capitol Square, courthouses, and posted private property.
• Virginia honors permits from 25+ other states under reciprocity. The Virginia CHP travels in 30+ states.

For the official state resource, see the Virginia State Police Firearms page and the Code of Virginia portal.

Key Information at a Glance

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Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP): Va. Code § 18.2-308.01

TL;DR: Virginia’s Concealed Handgun Permit under Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 et seq. is the only legal path to concealed carry. Shall-issue through the local Circuit Court. Age 21+, state-approved firearms training course (can be in-person or completed online through a Virginia-recognized provider), $50 fee, valid five years. Non-residents may apply through the Virginia State Police.

Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit

A. Any person 21 years of age or older may apply in writing to the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city in which he resides, or if he is a member of the United States Armed Forces, the county or city in which he is domiciled, for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun. The applicant shall provide such information as set forth in subsection D and submit two photographs not less than one inch by one inch in size. B. The court shall issue the permit unless the applicant is disqualified under § 18.2-308.09. The fee for the permit is $50. The applicant must demonstrate competence with a handgun by completion of a state-approved firearms training course, which may be in-person or completed online through a Virginia-recognized provider. — Non-residents may apply through the Virginia State Police under § 18.2-308.06.

Eligibility under § 18.2-308.09:

• Age 21 or older
• Virginia resident, OR a non-resident applying through the Virginia State Police
• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• No felony convictions or other disqualifying convictions
• Not subject to a current restraining order or Substantial Risk Order
• Not adjudicated mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed
• Has completed a state-approved firearms training course (in-person or online)

Virginia is one of the few states that explicitly allows online completion of the CHP training course. The 2024 changes tightened the online-course standards but did not eliminate the option. The Circuit Court has 45 days from a complete application to issue or deny. Denials are appealable.

Buying a Firearm in Virginia (Universal Background Check)

TL;DR: Virginia gun laws send all firearm transfers (handgun and long gun, dealer and private) through an FFL with NICS under Va. Code § 18.2-308.2:5 (effective July 1, 2020). There is no waiting period. Federal floor: 21+ for FFL handgun, 18+ for FFL long gun. Limited exceptions to the universal check exist for transfers between immediate family.

Self-Defense: Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine (Case Law)

TL;DR: Virginia recognizes Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine through case law rather than statute. Virginia courts have consistently held that a person who is not at fault in provoking an attack may stand his or her ground and use deadly force when reasonably necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury. Castle Doctrine inside the home follows the same framework. Virginia does not have separate statutory civil immunity, and the criminal-justification finding governs both criminal and civil cases.

Reciprocity: Out-of-State Permits

TL;DR: Virginia honors concealed carry permits from 25+ states under formal reciprocity agreements maintained by the Virginia State Police. The Virginia CHP itself is honored in 30+ other states. The 2020 reforms tightened the reciprocity requirements (a partner state’s permit must satisfy substantively similar issuance standards), narrowing the recognized list relative to pre-2020.

Where You Can’t Carry: Sensitive Locations

TL;DR: Even with a CHP, Virginia gun laws prohibit carry in K-12 schools (Va. Code § 18.2-308.1), state Capitol Square, courthouses, federal facilities (18 U.S.C. § 930), and posted private property. The 2020 expansion of locality authority allows cities and counties to prohibit firearms in government buildings, parks, recreation centers, and at permitted events; Charlottesville, Alexandria, Fairfax, and other localities have exercised this authority.

State Preemption: § 15.2-915

TL;DR: Virginia gun laws are preempted under Va. Code § 15.2-915, but the 2020 amendments added meaningful carve-outs allowing localities to prohibit firearms in government buildings, parks, recreation centers, and at permitted events. Localities cannot regulate ownership, sale, transfer, or transportation of firearms, but they can post no-firearms notices on specific city property and at official events. Charlottesville, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Richmond have used this authority.

NFA Items in Virginia

TL;DR: Virginia defers to federal NFA law. Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and pre-1986 transferable machine guns are all legal in Virginia with proper federal ATF registration. Virginia does not impose a state-level NFA layer. Hunting with suppressors is permitted under Virginia DWR rules.

For background on the federal regime itself, see our National Firearms Act explainer or the ATF National Firearms Act page. Virginia has a strong SOT dealer footprint across Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Roanoke.

Recent Changes (2020-2026)

• 2020 Reform Package. Universal background checks (Va. Code § 18.2-308.2:5), Substantial Risk Order at § 19.2-152.13, expanded local-government authority under § 15.2-915.
• 2020 Reciprocity Tightening. Virginia narrowed the list of states whose permits it honors based on substantively similar issuance standards.
• 2022-2025 sessions under Governor Youngkin. No new firearm restrictions enacted. Various proposals to repeal 2020 changes did not advance.
• 2026 session. Convened January 14, 2026. Multiple firearms bills on both sides; no major changes expected.

Our Take on Virginia Gun Laws

For practical everyday purposes, Virginia gun laws sit in a stable middle position. Shall-issue CHP, no waiting period, no magazine cap, no AWB, but universal background check and Substantial Risk Order. The framework is workable for serious carriers and adds the layer of universal background check on private sales that’s increasingly common nationally.

The 2020 expansion of locality authority is the most distinctive feature of Virginia gun laws in 2026. Cities and counties can now post no-firearms notices on specific government property, parks, and event venues. Carriers should check the local jurisdiction’s policy before carrying onto municipal property. For our broader state-by-state comparison, see the this state’s place in the national patchwork hub.

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Virginia-Specific Carry Questions

What does the Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit authorize?

The Concealed Handgun Permit, administered by Circuit Courts, authorizes concealed carry of a handgun in public spaces where carry is otherwise lawful. Virginia is shall-issue for the permit with a state-approved training course requirement, background check, and fingerprinting. The permit is honored by a broad list of states under reciprocity, with the Virginia State Police maintaining the current matrix.

Did Virginia restore the one-handgun-a-month limit?

Yes. Virginia enacted a one-handgun-a-month purchase limit in 2020, restoring a similar restriction that had been repealed in 2012. The statute limits handgun purchases from a federally-licensed dealer to one within any 30-day window, with exceptions for certain credentialed buyers including law enforcement and concealed-permit holders who meet specific criteria.

Does Virginia Castle Doctrine apply outside the home?

Virginia recognizes Castle Doctrine inside the home through case law with a presumption favoring the defender. Outside the home, Virginia case law generally applies a reasonableness standard that requires consideration of whether retreat was a safe alternative. Virginia has not enacted a statutory Stand Your Ground extension to all public spaces.

Did Virginia adopt a Red Flag law and universal background checks?

Yes. Virginia enacted an Extreme Risk Protection Order statute in 2020 and universal background check requirements for private firearm transfers in the same legislative session. Both took effect July 2020. The ERPO statute requires a law enforcement officer or family member to petition a court for an order, with ex parte and full-hearing pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions: Virginia Gun Laws