Virginia

Secure Storage
Laws in Virginia

Virginia has made great progress in gun violence prevention in recent years and has all of the foundational gun laws in place. These gun safety laws include a child access prevention law, which took effect in Virginia in 2026.

State Requirements

Secure Storage in Virginia

Virginia state law requires gun owners to securely store their firearms in residences where they know or should know a minor under age 18 or a prohibited person is present. Expand each section below for full requirements and what happens if they aren’t met.

The information provided here is not legal advice and should not be understood as such. Consult with an attorney if you have questions about how your state’s laws apply to your specific circumstances.

Gun owners in Virginia are required to store their firearm(s) in their homes securely if they know or should know that a child under age 18 or a prohibited person is present.Secure storage in Virginia means storing a firearm:

  • In a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person; or
  • Rendered incapable of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that firearm and specific to this purpose.

Loaded firearms must be stored in a storage device equipped with a combination lock, coded lock, or biometric lock, and no minor or prohibited person can be an authorized user of that lock or storage device.

Virginia’s secure gun storage laws apply to handguns in unattended vehicles. If a gun owner is leaving their handgun in an unattended vehicle, they are required to:

  • Securely store their handgun in a locked hard-sided container, which can include: a glove compartment, center console, or a container that is affixed to the vehicle interior by steel cable, bolt, or welding; and
  • Store the handgun out of plain view.

Gun owners who fail to comply with the above requirements may be subject to criminal penalties.

By the Numbers

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More than 700 children die by gun suicide each year, most often using guns belonging to a family member.

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At least one-third of youth gun suicides and unintentional deaths could be prevented with secure storage.

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More than 200,000 guns are stolen from individuals every year, significant portion of those are stolen from cars

Best Practices

Secure Storage for Homes and Vehicles

Gun safety is always an adult’s responsibility, no matter what your state’s laws require — secure storage protects your kids, family, and community from tragedy.

There are many types of storage devices to meet the needs of different gun owners, but the best solution is one you will use consistently, every time.

Take the time, every time, to secure your gun.

Remember

Just because a gun is out of sight does not mean it is stored securely

Firearms “hidden” in places such as under mattresses, on closet shelves, in nightstand drawers, or under the seat in a vehicle can be found by curious or determined children and teens, who may — intentionally or unintentionally — kill or injure themselves or others. It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike.

Locked Up

With keys or codes kept private

Unloaded

Ensure there is no ammunition in the gun

Separate from ammunition

Store ammunition in a different place from guns

Download

Virginia Secure Gun Storage Sheet

Download information about secure gun storage in Virginia in English or Spanish.