CHAPTER 742
An Act to amend and reenact §18.2-56.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to allowing access to firearms by minors; penalty.
[H 1083]
Approved April 6, 2020

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §18.2-56.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§18.2-56.2. Allowing access to firearms by children; penalty.

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 Class 1 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.