Are there restrictions on where you can have a shotgun in Virginia?
August 8th, 2010 by eranio
Is it legal to have an unloaded shotgun in a locked case, with a trigger lock on it, on the grounds of UVa? I’m moving into an apartment that’s technically on-grounds, but it’s not owned by the university. Is it illegal to have a shotgun on grounds?
It’s not like the shotgun is a sawn-off monster. It’s just a hunting shotgun, but some of the liberals down in Richmond could see it as a threat.
Posted in used shotguns
August 8th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Not illegal.
If its NOT owned by the schools, its NOT on their property, its NOT illegal.
I believe its technically legal to carry a gun in your car on university property, as long as its locked in a trunk.
(i could be getting this school mixed up with another one, but there was a school shooting at one of them, and students had to run to their cars to grab their guns to protect themselves, because state laws required they be locked in trunks while on school property.)
But its YOUR apartment, you could keep a fully loaded ak-47 in your living room if you want to.
I wouldnt lock the shotgun up….whats the point?
In a realistic situation, you’d NEVER have time to take it out of the case, unlock the trigger-lock and load the gun and pump it in time!
Keep the shotgun loaded, and under your matress or in a closet….i’d lock it if you plan to have parties or have alot of people over, DEFINATELY.
Just curious….how can your apartment be on school property, but NOT be owned by them?
As far as I can tell, it would NOT be school property….unless they rent it out to apartment companies or something……
AS LONG as the school doesn’t do inspections in your apartment and doesn’t OWN the apartments, you can do what you want.
August 8th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
If it isn’t owned by the university then you should be fine. If I were you I would call campas police just to make sure.
August 8th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
First – I’m no lawyer…
You should speak with someone at the university to check on their local rules. I believe that current Virginia law does not restrict possession of a firearm on university grounds. However, since the university grounds are private property, you need to check the rules to see if they prohibit firearms on the grounds or if they require that you check it in.
The only prohibited areas according to the Code of Virginia (as far as I can tell) are courthouses; elementary, middle and high schools; places of religious worship (without good and sufficient reason); airports.
You can start here and click through the "Next" links at the upper right to read the Virginia Code yourself:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-279