Updated May 31, 2022
A Virginia firearm bill of sale is a form that proves the legal sale and purchase of a firearm between a dealer and an individual or two (2) private parties in the bbin电竞官网官方永久 of Virginia. This document will add a layer of protection to both parties inasmuch as it will provide identifiable information pertaining to the firearm an d change of ownership. It will also provide identifying details regarding the seller and the buyer. This document does require notarization.
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Privately Selling a Firearm
Virginia does not have laws regulating the private sale of privately owned firearms. However, sellers are required to conduct background checks on buyers for any transactions that occur at firearms shows . Licensed dealers are also required to conduct background checks for all firearms sales. Any individual who sells a firearm to a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm is guilty of a Class 4 felony .
Prohibited from Buying
Any person who meets any of the following criteria is prohibited from purchasing a firearm in the state of Virginia:
- VA Code § 18.2-308.1:1 : It shall be unlawful for any person acquitted by reason of insanity and committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, pursuant to Chapter 11.1 ( § 19.2-182.2 et seq.) of Title 19.2, on a charge of treason, any felony or any offense punishable as a misdemeanor under Title 54.1 or a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor under this title, except those misdemeanor violations of (i) Article 2 ( § 18.2-266 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of this title, (ii) Article 2 ( § 18.2-415 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of this title, (iii) § 18.2-119 , or (iv) an ordinance of any county, city, or town similar to the offenses specified in clause (i), (ii), or (iii), to knowingly and intentionally purchase, possess, or transport any firearm.
- VA Code § 18.2-308.1:2 : It shall be unlawful for any person who has been adjudicated (i) legally incompetent pursuant to former § 37.1-128.02 or former § 37.1-134, (ii) mentally incapacitated pursuant to former § 37.1-128.1 or former § 37.1-132, or (iii) incapacitated pursuant to Chapter 20 ( § 64.2-2000 et seq.) of Title 64.2 to purchase, possess, or transport any firearm.
- VA Code § 19.2-308.1:3 : It shall be unlawful for any person (i) involuntarily admitted to a facility or ordered to mandatory outpatient treatment pursuant to § 19.2-169.2 ; (ii) involuntarily admitted to a facility or ordered to mandatory outpatient treatment as the result of a commitment hearing pursuant to Article 5 ( § 37.2-814 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 37.2, notwithstanding the outcome of any appeal taken pursuant to § 37.2-821 ; (iii) involuntarily admitted to a facility or ordered to mandatory outpatient treatment as a minor 14 years of age or older as the result of a commitment hearing pursuant to Article 16 ( § 16.1-335 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, notwithstanding the outcome of any appeal taken pursuant to § 16.1-345.6 ; (iv) who was the subject of a temporary detention order pursuant to § 37.2-809 and subsequently agreed to voluntary admission pursuant to § 37.2-805 ; (v) who, as a minor 14 years of age or older, was the subject of a temporary detention order pursuant to § 16.1-340.1 and subsequently agreed to voluntary admission pursuant to § 16.1-338 ; or (vi) who was found incompetent to stand trial and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future and whose case was disposed of in accordance with § 19.2-169.3 , to purchase, possess, or transport a firearm.
- VA Code § 18.2-308.1:4 : It is unlawful for any person who is subject to (i) a protective order entered pursuant to § 16.1-253.1 , § 16.1-253.4 , § 16.1-278.2 , § 16.1-279.1 , § 19.2-152.8 , § 19.2-152.9 , or § 19.2-152.10 ; (ii) an order issued pursuant to subsection B of § 20-103 ; (iii) an order entered pursuant to subsection D of § 18.2-60.3 ; (iv) a preliminary protective order entered pursuant to subsection F of § 16.1-253 where a petition alleging abuse or neglect has been filed; or (v) an order issued by a tribunal of another state, the United bbin电竞官网官方永久s or any of its territories, possessions, or commonwealths, or the District of Columbia pursuant to a statute that is substantially similar to those cited in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) to purchase or transport any firearm while the order is in effect. Any person with a concealed handgun permit shall be prohibited from carrying any concealed firearm and shall surrender his permit to the court entering the order, for the duration of any protective order referred to herein.
- VA Code § 18.2-308.1:5 : Any person who, within a 36-consecutive-month period, has been convicted of two misdemeanor offenses under subsection B of former § 18.2-248.1:1 , § 18.2-250 or § 18.2-250.1 shall be ineligible to purchase or transport a handgun.
- VA Code § 18.2-308.1:6 : It is unlawful for any person who is subject to an emergency substantial risk order or a substantial risk order entered pursuant to § 19.2-152.13 or 19.2-152.14 or an order issued by a tribunal of another state, the United bbin电竞官网官方永久s or any of its territories, possessions, or commonwealths, or the District of Columbia pursuant to a statute that is substantially similar to § 19.2-152.13 or § 19.2-152.14 to purchase, possess, or transport any firearm while the order is in effect. Any such person with a concealed handgun permit is prohibited from carrying any concealed firearm while the order is in effect and shall surrender his permit to the court entering the order pursuant to § 19.2-152.13 or § 19.2-152.14 .
- VA Code § 18.2-308.2:01 : B. It shall be unlawful for any person who is not a citizen of the United bbin电竞官网官方永久s and who is not lawfully present in the United bbin电竞官网官方永久s to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport any firearm or to knowingly and intentionally carry about his person, hidden from common observation, any firearm.
Registering a Firearm
Virginia does not have any laws requiring the state registration of privately owned firearms.
Concealed Carry
Concealed Carry is prohibited in Virginia without a valid Concealed Handgun Permit pursuant to VA Code § 18.2-308.01(A) .
How to Apply
An individual has to be twenty-one (21) years old or older to apply for a Concealed Handgun Permit in Virginia.
Step 1 – Complete an Application for Concealed Handgun Permit .
Step 2 – Attach proof of competence with a firearm as required by VA Code § 18.2-308.02(B) .
Step 3 – Submit the application to the applicant’s local county clerk.
Step 4 – Pay the appropriate filing fee .
Step 5 – The clerk will approve or deny the license application within forty-five (45) days of receiving it.
Reciprocity
VA Code § 18.2-308.014 confirms that Virginia recognizes the concealed carry permits of all states that issue them to their residents.