WHERE CAN I CARRY MY GUN?
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Generally, with a valid permit, you may carry a concealed handgun anywhere in Virginia EXCEPT the following venues
or with certain restrictions in those venues:
Courthouses – the whole courthouse is off-limits, not just the courtroom!
Jails, Detention Areas, and Prisons- do I really need to explain this?
Places of Worship While Services are In Progress – some exemptions exist.
Public and Private School Grounds – whether or not school is in session. This prohibition includes school support
buildings and athletic fields, but does not apply to individuals picking up or dropping off students so long as the
weapon remains in the vehicle.
Posted Federal and State Properties – “posting” may be by means of signage, or by publication on informational
bulletin boards or in rules documents available to the public. Contrary to popular opinion, most state properties are not
off –limits to your legally concealed handgun but some are. Most federal property is restricted.
FAA Controlled Airport Areas – this realistically means most of the airport, so lock your gun in your car before you
go in to meet arriving passengers. You may bring unloaded and cased firearms inside for the purpose of checking
them as baggage.
Establishments Where Alcohol Is Served – Under relatively recent changes in Virginia law, concealed carry permit
holders MAY carry their concealed firearms into establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. However, the permit
holder MUST NOT CONSUME ALCOHOL IN ANY QUANTITY WHILE ON THE PREMISES. The private property rules
shown below are still in full force however, so the owners of such establishments may still prohibit carrying of weapons
if they so choose.
Private Property Where the Owner Prohibits Concealed Carry- any property owner in Virginia may make his
premises off-limits to concealed carry simply by making his wishes known to you, either verbally, through signage, or
in writing, directly or through an agent such as a security guard. On leased premises, the rent-paying tenant is
considered the owner. You are not in violation until informed the first time.