CODE OF VIRGINIA

ALLOWING ACCESS TO FIREARMS BY CHILDREN; PENALTY (§ 18.2-56.2)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured
firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the
age of fourteen. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be
guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to authorize a child under the
age of twelve to use a firearm except when the child is under the supervision of
an adult. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor. For purposes of this subsection, “adult” shall mean a
parent, guardian, person standing in loco parentis to the child or a person
twenty-one years or over who has the permission of the parent, guardian, or
person standing in loco parentis to supervise the child in the use of a firearm.

HISTORY: 1991, c. 537; 1994, c. 832.