Gun-Free Zones in Virginia

Loudoun County has unusually restrictive gun laws. For instance,  no one can carry a loaded semi-automatic weapon in public, if the weapon has a silencer, a folding stock, or a magazine holding more than twenty rounds. Additionally, shotguns with magazines that can hold more than seven rounds are also restricted. . These rules apply not only in Loudoun but also in cities like  Alexandria, Chesapeake,  and Richmond, as well as other counties like Arlington, Fairfax and Henrico.. Statewide gun-free zone laws are also enforced in Loudoun County, adding another layer of regulation.

Possessing a prohibited weapon in a restricted area is considered an even more serious offense  than basic weapons possession. Given the recent  mass shootings in Virginia, many jurors come into cases assuming the defendants are a threat, which makes navigating these cases especially challenging. That’s why having a seasoned Leesburg weapons crimes lawyer is essential. Only an experienced attorney can effectively explore and apply the available defenses, whether at trial or during pretrial negotiations, to secure the best possible outcome.

Temporary Election Restrictions

Regardless of their political affiliation, most Leesburg criminal defense lawyers, like the community, are on edge during elections. In recent years, we’ve witnessed heated arguments turn into acts of violence.

Virginia law prohibits firearms  within forty feet of any building or part of a building that is a designated polling place. This includes when the ballots are being counted within one hour of opening or after closing. These restrictions also applies to buildings , or an extensions of the buildings  that are used as a meeting place for the local electoral board while the board meets to ascertain the results of an election or conduct recounts.

Note that the restriction applies to any “part of” a building used for electoral purposes. If officials rented a 10th story office to recount votes, guns are legal below the 6th story, assuming the person has valid permission to carry a gun.

It is illegal to carry a gun in the Capitol of Virginia building, the Capitol Square, the surrounding area, any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.

Permanent Place Restrictions

General 24/7/365 restrictions include places of worship, courthouses, airports, and daycare centers. Let’s break down the specific restrictions.

The place of worship restriction applies when  a religious meeting is in session. Church activity meetings, such as budget meetings, often involve prayer and/or devotional segments, which may or may  not qualify as religious meetings.

Additionally, the restriction does not apply if the person has a “good and sufficient reason” to carry a gun. The Attorney General says that personal protection is a good and sufficient reason, but that opinion is nonbinding.

Courthouses don’t always appear as traditional courthouses. Many municipalities rent space in mini-malls or other such places. The airport restriction only applies to an “air carrier terminal” and the daycare restriction only applies during operating hours.

Work With a Diligent Loudoun County Lawyer

There’s a big difference between an arrest and a conviction in criminal law. For a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Leesburg, contact Simms Showers, LLP, Attorneys at Law. Convenient payment plans are available.

Source:

giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/location-restrictions-in-virginia/#footnote_0_16291