State Gun Laws

If the abuser has been convicted of a crime that involved the use of a firearm, or if s/he has concealed, possessed, transported or carried a weapon in violation of the law, it will be forfeited to the state of Virginia and destroyed or possibly sold to a licensed firearms dealer.¹

If you get a protective order for family abuse or if a substantial risk protection order is issued, the judge will order the abuser to do any of the following within 24 hours after being served with the order:

• surrender the firearms to a local law-enforcement agency; or
• sell or transfer the firearms a licensed firearm dealer or to someone who is lawfully able to possess firearms.²

If the abuser surrenders the firearms to law enforcement, s/he can get the guns back once the protective order expires. However, the abuser must make a written request for the return of the guns within 120 days after the expiration of the order or else the guns will become the property of law enforcement.³

¹ Va. Code §§ 19.2-386.29; 19.2-386.28
² Va. Code § 18.2-308.1:4(C)
³ Va. Code § 18.2-308.1:4(E)