15.2-915.4 - Counties, cities and towns authorized to regulate use of pneumatic guns.
§ 15.2-915.4. Counties, cities and towns authorized to regulate use ofpneumatic guns.
A. A locality may prohibit, by ordinance, the shooting of pneumatic guns inany areas of the locality that are in the opinion of the governing body soheavily populated as to make such conduct dangerous to the inhabitantsthereof, and may require supervision by a parent, guardian, or other adultsupervisor approved by a parent or guardian of any minor below the age of 16in all uses of pneumatic guns on private or public property. The ordinancemay specify that minors above the age of 16 may, with the written consent ofa parent or guardian, use a pneumatic gun at any place designated for suchuse by the local governing body or on private property with the consent ofthe owner. The ordinance may specify that any minor, whether permitted by aparent or guardian to use a pneumatic gun or not, shall be responsible forobeying all laws, regulations and restrictions governing such use. Anypenalty for a pneumatic gun offense set forth in such an ordinance shall notexceed a Class 3 misdemeanor.
B. No such ordinance authorized by subsection A shall prohibit the use ofpneumatic guns at facilities approved for shooting ranges or on otherproperty where firearms may be discharged.
C. Training of minors in the use of pneumatic guns shall be done only underdirect supervision of a parent, guardian, Junior Reserve Officers TrainingCorps instructor, or a certified instructor. Training of minors above the ageof 16 may also be done without direct supervision if approved by the minor'sinstructor, with the permission of and under the responsibility of a parentor guardian, and in compliance with all requirements of this section. Rangesand instructors may be certified by the National Rifle Association, a stateor federal agency that has developed a certification program, any service ofthe Department of Defense, or any person authorized by these authorities tocertify ranges and instructors.
D. Commercial or private areas designated for use of pneumatic paintball gunsmay be established and operated for recreational use. Equipment designed toprotect the face and ears shall be provided to participants at suchrecreational areas, and signs must be posted to warn against entry into thepaintball area by persons who are unprotected or unaware that paintball gunsare in use.
E. As used in this section, "pneumatic gun" means any implement, designedas a gun, that will expel a BB or a pellet by action of pneumatic pressure."Pneumatic gun" includes a paintball gun that expels by action of pneumaticpressure plastic balls filled with paint for the purpose of marking the pointof impact.
(2004, c. 930.)