Traveling with Ammunition in Mecklenburg County

Whether it is heading to the range, out to the field for a hunt, or simply carrying it for personal defense, anytime you have ammunition on your person or in your vehicle, you are traveling with ammunition. Traveling with ammunition in Mecklenburg County is very common as gun owners go about their daily business or head out to use their firearms in responsible sport. Like most gun laws in Virginia, the regulations around the transport of ammunition are fairly lax. If you have questions about how gun laws could affect you, a seasoned gun attorney may be able to help you.

Ammunition Law Basics

Just as there are no registration requirements for firearms in Virginia or background checks beyond what is federally mandated, there are almost no restrictions on purchasing, possessing, or traveling with ammunition. Federal law requires all people purchasing rifle or shotgun ammunition to be over the age of 18, and a minimum age of 21 to buy handgun ammunition. As these are federal laws, they apply in Virginia. However, there is no law against carrying ammunition in Virginia.

It is also legal to have a loaded firearm in your vehicle while traveling. However, without a concealed carry license, the loaded firearm should be in a case in the back of the vehicle, or otherwise in plain view such as on a gun rack. Ammunition does not need to be in plain sight if it is not loaded into a gun.

Exceptions

The only situations in which a Virginian will be unlawfully traveling with ammunition in Mecklenburg County is if they are federally prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition, or they are unlawfully transporting ammunition into the District of Columbia. As with everywhere in the United States, convicted felons are prohibited for owning or possessing firearms or ammunition, so traveling with ammo would automatically result in a gun charge.

Virginians should also beware of DC’s ammunition laws. In DC, firearms and ammunition must be registered with the Metropolitan Police Department. People may travel with ammunition through DC from one state to another provided that:

• The ammunition is in a secured container in the back or trunk of the vehicle, away from the driver’s reach
• The driver and vehicle do not make any stops within the District

Many Virginians often travel across borders to other states, and every other state around Virginia makes no restrictions about transporting ammunition. However, if a driver even stops for lunch or gas with ammunition in their vehicle while in DC (whether or not it is secured safely in the back of a vehicle), they could be charged with misdemeanor unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying potential penalties of fines up to $1,000 and one year in jail.

Contact an Experienced Gun Attorney to Learn About Ammunition Laws

Virginians are free to travel with ammunition unmolested by law enforcement when and how they see fit. If you are legally permitted to possess a firearm, travelling with ammunition generally will not be a problem. However, if you have questions about travelling with ammunition in Mecklenburg County, call today to clarify how the law might affect you.