Virginia Citizens Defense league

Defending Your Right to Defend Yourself

va-alert breaking news!

Published 6/29/2026

Breaking news! The Virginia General Assembly just voted to delay the implementation of the “assault firearm” public carry prohibition for one year. So, you can continue to carry under the current law until July 1, 2027.

We expect the General Assembly will try to change the new carry law again in 2027, most likely making that carry law even more restrictive before it takes effect on July 1, 2027.

Refreshing everyone’s memory on the current carry law that will continue to be in effect: 

• 18.2-287.4 allows anyone with a CHP to carry a firearm in public, regardless of magazine size, threading on the barrel, or existence of a folding stock. 
  
  
• If you do not have a CHP, then you cannot carry a loaded semi-automatic, centerfire rifle or pistol that has a magazine in the gun that holds MORE than 20 rounds, or if the gun has a threaded barrel or a folding stock, in these locations: the cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach and in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.
  
  
• Shotguns can’t be carried in those same locations if they hold more than 7 rounds of the longest ammunition for which they are chambered.