Prince William County Gun Laws

While owning a gun is everyone’s constitutional right, many laws and regulations come with maintaining a firearm permit. The violation of one of these laws could result in the revocation of your license and other serious penalties. You may wish to speak with an experienced attorney about gun laws in Prince William County, so you can keep apprised of all the regulations surrounding your permit.

Gun Law Enforcement Based on Location

A given county enforces gun laws depending on the geographic qualities of the county. As a result, the prosecutorial perspectives and policies on gun cases inform firearm enforcement in a certain area. Generally speaking, the more rural the county, the more lenient the enforcement of gun laws. The more urban the county, the less so.

Consequently, Prince William County firearm laws have become more strictly enforced over time as the county has become more crowded and developed. However, the county is still fairly rural such that gun law enforcement is not as strict as other neighboring northern Virginia counties. Similarly, law enforcement imposes gun laws more strictly than other neighboring counties like Culpeper County and parts of Stafford County.

Prosecutors might begin to treat gun charges differently if a new Commonwealth’s Attorney is elected to lead the Prince William County prosecutor’s office, or if the state or federal governments begin implementing funding-based incentives and task forces to handle gun charges differently.

Changes in Gun Laws

As Prince William County continues to grow in population with minority immigrants and DMV area commuters, it could become less lenient in the enforcement of local, state, and federal gun laws. Whenever there are harsher changes in firearm regulations meant to combat gun-related crimes, Prince William County will be forced to uphold them.

One area where the law is prone to change is gun background checks. However, one area where the national laws are undergoing a favorable change for gun owners and possessors is their right to oppose assert forfeiture of previously-seized firearms. Another anticipated area of new regulation or criminalization involves the creation and possession of 3-D printed guns.

Find Information About Local Gun Regulations in Prince William County

There are various sources of gun law compliance information readily and freely available to people on the Internet, including advice forums on the websites of qualified law firms and attorneys. There are also free legal advice websites such as Avvo.com where anonymous individuals can get specific attorney responses to specific legal questions. Another good source of such information is the website of the Virginia State Police.

Transporting a Gun to Prince William County

With the exception of federal laws, gun laws are different in each state, such that compliance with gun laws in another state will often not protect a person from liability once they move to Prince William County. If a gun owner plans on moving to Prince William County from another state, they should make sure that they are prepared to satisfy all of the different requirements for gun ownership established in Virginia law.

Preparation to move with a gun permit involves a process of obtaining new credentials which can take time. Gun trusts are a popular way to temporarily store or transfer guns to someone else’s lawful possession while the original owner arranges for full compliance with new laws.

Common Misconceptions about Gun Laws

Gun laws in Prince William County are the same as gun laws everywhere else in Virginia. Gun regulations, however, in close-by areas of West Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia are not the same. Prince William County gun regulations are also not the same as federal gun laws, though individuals are expected to comply with both at the same time.

Advice to Legally Purchase a Firearm

Three pieces of advice that an attorney would have for a person considering buying a gun are:

1. Do not make any technically-false statements on any gun purchasing forms you are required to sign
2. Do not carry any purchased firearm in a concealed matter on your person or in your car without the proper license
3. Do not purchase a firearm from anyone who cannot provide legitimate documentation that they are a lawful seller of the firearm in the first place

One wrong move when possessing or attempting to possess a gun can result in a person receiving a serious criminal charge that can detrimentally and permanently impact their current and future life. In the face of such risks, an individual should consult with an attorney in the event they are unsure of gun laws applicable to Prince William County.

Does Prince William County Have Reciprocity with Other Jurisdictions Regarding Gun Regulations?

Prince William County itself does not have any reciprocity laws with other jurisdictions regarding concealed carry or other gun registrations. Any such reciprocity would only apply to the extent that Virginia state law contains it. Virginia state reciprocity laws are not the same as every other state, federal, or international jurisdiction. Compliance research is always advised on a case-by-case basis. According to Virginia’s reciprocity statute, a valid permit holder from another state is allowed to carry a concealed weapon into the Commonwealth of Virginia provided that:

• The issuing authority provides immediate access to verification of the validity of any permit or license issued in their state.
• The permit holder carries government-issued photo identification and displays such identification upon request
• The permit holder has not previously had a permit revoked in Virginia

Contact an Attorney to Discuss Prine William Gun Regulations

If you are considering purchasing a firearm, it may be in your best interest to consult with a gun attorney first. A knowledgeable lawyer could inform you about all necessary Prince William county gun laws so that you remain within the law when possessing a firearm. Reach out to a legal advisor today.