SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2021 SESSION
20106330DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-511.2 as follows:
§ 18.2-511.2. Outdoor shooting ranges; prohibited adjacent to residential areas; exceptions; civil penalty.
A. As used in this section, "outdoor shooting range" means any partially enclosed or unenclosed outdoor area or outdoor facility designed for the use of rifles, shotguns, pistols, silhouettes, skeet, trap, black powder, or any other similar sport shooting.
B. It is unlawful to operate an outdoor shooting range within 500 yards of any property zoned for residential use unless the range design criteria pertaining to backstops and berms developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Health, Safety and Security; the National Rifle Association; the National Shooting Sports Foundation; or other similar company, organization, or association have been met.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any (i) commercial outdoor shooting range, gun club, or sportsmen's club where someone pays a fee, or retains a membership, to use such facilities; (ii) outdoor shooting range within 500 yards of any property zoned for residential use if the outdoor shooting range owner has written permission from the residential use zone owner to operate such a shooting range, or if the property zoned residential is also owned by the same operator of the outdoor shooting range; (iii) outdoor shooting range located in a locality with a population of less than 300,000; (iv) outdoor shooting range that is used exclusively for shotgun shooting sports; or (v) outdoor shooting range located on a piece or parcel of property that consists of a minimum of 20 acres.
D. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is subject to a civil penalty of no more than $1,000 for the initial violation and $5,000 per day for each day of violation thereafter.