Section 18.2-283 of the Virginia Code states, "'If any person carry any gun, pistol, bowie knife, dagger or other dangerous weapon, without good and sufficient reason, to a place of worship while a meeting for religous purposes is being held at such place he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor'".

According to the Office of the Attorney General, the statue does not define "'good or sufficient reason'" or "'place of worship'" and there is no case law which has been developed to refine the statue. A Class 4 misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of no more than $250.00.

Section 18.2-308 subparagrah "O" of the Virginia Code states, "'The granting of a concealed handgun permit shall not thereby authorize the possession of any handgun or other weapon on property or in places where such possession is otherwise prohibited by law or is prohibited by the owner of private property'".

According to the Office of the Attorney General, places of worship which post a no-gun sign would be covered by this subparagraph and the consequences of violation of this subparagraph would make someone guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A Class 1 misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of no more than $2,500 and/or 12 months in jail.

For more information on Selected Firearms Statues, call the Attorney General's Office at (804) 786-1226.