Exemptions

A. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to law-enforcement officers, authorized security personnel, or military personnel, or fire marshals who have police powers when such individuals are authorized to carry a firearm in accordance with their duties and when such individuals are carrying the firearm within that authority. The provisions of this chapter also do not apply to any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public institution of higher education while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth. B. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following: 1. Any State Police officer who is off duty; 2. Any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with § 18.2-308.016 C of the Code of Virginia; 3. Any retired law-enforcement officer who has participated in annual firearms training, has qualified pursuant to § 18.2-308.016 C of the Code of Virginia, and is visiting a gun range owned or leased by the Commonwealth; 4. Any of the following employees authorized to carry a firearm while acting in the conduct of such employee's official duties: a. A bail bondsman as defined in § 9.1-185 of the Code of Virginia; b. An employee of the Department of Corrections or a state juvenile correctional facility; c. An employee of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; or d. An employee of the Department of Wildlife Resources; 5. Any individual carrying a weapon into a courthouse who is exempt under § 18.2-283.1 of the Code of Virginia; 6. Any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education; 7. Any state park; or 8. Any magistrate acting in the conduct of the magistrate's official duties. Statutory Authority: §§ 2.2-1102 and 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia. Historical Notes: Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9 , eff. January 27, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5 , eff. December 5, 2025.