{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-285.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-285.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-285.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-285.html"}],"law_id":350650,"edition_id":2,"section_id":350650,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-285","catch_line":"Hunting with firearms while under influence of intoxicant or narcotic drug; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 29-140.1; 1952, c. 96; 1962, c. 469; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1999, c. 543; 2005, c. 507; 2017, c. 530; 2018, cc. 557, 558.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wildlife with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow in the Commonwealth while he is (i) under the influence of alcohol; (ii) under the influence of any narcotic drug or any other self-administered intoxicant or drug of whatsoever nature, or any combination of such drugs, to a degree that impairs his ability to hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow safely; or (iii) under the combined influence of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree that impairs his ability to hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow safely. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Conservation police officers, sheriffs, and all other law-enforcement officers shall enforce the provisions of this section.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1306304,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wildlife with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow in the Commonwealth while he is (i) under the influence of alcohol; (ii) under the influence of any narcotic drug or any other self-administered intoxicant or drug of whatsoever nature, or any combination of such drugs, to a degree that impairs his ability to hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow safely; or (iii) under the combined influence of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree that impairs his ability to hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow safely. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Conservation police officers, sheriffs, and all other law-enforcement officers shall enforce the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50168,"edition_id":2,"name":"Dangerous Use of Firearms or Other Weapons","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":8,"parent_id":50159,"metadata":{"child_laws":19,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:47","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:21","permalink":{"id":1393955,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50168,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/7\/4","url":"\/18.2\/7\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50159,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Involving Health and Safety","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":7,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":216,"child_structures":13},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:20","permalink":{"id":1393503,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50159,"identifier":"7","token":"18.2\/7","url":"\/18.2\/7\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50131,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":52,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":960,"child_structures":94},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:15","permalink":{"id":1391141,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50131,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":350640,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-279","catch_line":"Discharging firearms or missiles within or at building or dwelling house; penalty","url":"\/18.2-279\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-279","metadata":false},{"id":350642,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-280","catch_line":"Willfully discharging firearms in public places","url":"\/18.2-280\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-280","metadata":false},{"id":350643,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-281","catch_line":"Setting spring gun or other deadly weapon","url":"\/18.2-281\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-281","metadata":false},{"id":350645,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-282","catch_line":"Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty","url":"\/18.2-282\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-282","metadata":false},{"id":350644,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-282.1","catch_line":"Brandishing a machete or other bladed weapon with intent to intimidate; penalty","url":"\/18.2-282.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-282.1","metadata":false},{"id":350648,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-283","catch_line":"Carrying dangerous weapon to place of religious worship","url":"\/18.2-283\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Christopher Parris Cabral v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1186171","citation":"815 S.E.2d 805","date":"2018-07-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4517469\/christopher-parris-cabral-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Rebecca Sue Orange v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"0882253","citation":null,"date":"2026-07-28","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10935752\/rebecca-sue-orange-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":350646,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-283.1","catch_line":"Carrying weapon into courthouse","url":"\/18.2-283.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283.1","metadata":false},{"id":350647,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-283.2","catch_line":"Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-283.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-283.2","metadata":false},{"id":350649,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-284","catch_line":"Selling or giving toy firearms","url":"\/18.2-284\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-284","metadata":false},{"id":350650,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-285","catch_line":"Hunting with firearms while under influence of intoxicant or narcotic drug; penalty","url":"\/18.2-285\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-285","metadata":false},{"id":350652,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-286","catch_line":"Shooting in or across road or in street","url":"\/18.2-286\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-286","metadata":false},{"id":350651,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-286.1","catch_line":"Shooting from vehicles so as to endanger persons; penalty","url":"\/18.2-286.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-286.1","metadata":false},{"id":350659,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-287","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-287\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287","metadata":false},{"id":350653,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-287.01","catch_line":"Carrying weapon in air carrier airport terminal","url":"\/18.2-287.01\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.01","metadata":false},{"id":350654,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-287.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-287.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Christopher Parris Cabral v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1186171","citation":"815 S.E.2d 805","date":"2018-07-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4517469\/christopher-parris-cabral-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Graves v. Commonwealth","case_number":"160688","citation":null,"date":"2017-10-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4435558\/graves-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Graves v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 160688.","citation":"805 S.E.2d 226","date":"2017-10-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4433770\/graves-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":350655,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-287.2","catch_line":"Wearing of body armor while committing a crime; penalty","url":"\/18.2-287.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.2","metadata":false},{"id":350656,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-287.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-287.3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.3","metadata":false},{"id":350657,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-287.4","catch_line":"Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-287.4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.4","metadata":false},{"id":350658,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-287.5","catch_line":"Reporting lost or stolen firearms; civil penalty","url":"\/18.2-287.5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-287.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":350649,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-284","catch_line":"Selling or giving toy firearms","url":"\/18.2-284\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-284","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":350652,"structure_id":50168,"section_number":"18.2-286","catch_line":"Shooting in or across road or in street","url":"\/18.2-286\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-286","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-285\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 96; in 1962, chapter 469; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1999, chapter 543<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 507<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 530<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 557<\/a> and 558<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":356924,"section_number":"29.1-338","catch_line":"Revocation of license and privileges; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-338\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1393993,"object_type":"law","relational_id":350650,"identifier":"18.2-285","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-285","url":"\/18.2-285\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-285\/","token":"18.2\/7\/4\/18.2-285","dublin_core":{"Title":"Hunting with firearms while under influence of intoxicant or narcotic drug; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-285","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wildlife with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow in the Commonwealth while he is (i) under the influence of alcohol; (ii) under the influence of any narcotic drug or any other self-administered intoxicant or drug of whatsoever nature, or any combination of such drugs, to a degree that impairs his ability to hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow safely; or (iii) under the combined influence of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree that impairs his ability to hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow safely. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. Conservation police officers, sheriffs, and all other law<\/span>-enforcement officers shall enforce the provisions of this section.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHUNTING WITH FIREARMS WHILE UNDER INFLUENCE OF INTOXICANT OR NARCOTIC DRUG;\nPENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-285)\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wildlife with a firearm, bow and\narrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow in the Commonwealth while he is (i) under\nthe influence of alcohol; (ii) under the influence of any narcotic drug or any\nother self-administered intoxicant or drug of whatsoever nature, or any\ncombination of such drugs, to a degree that impairs his ability to hunt with a\nfirearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or crossbow safely; or (iii) under\nthe combined influence of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree that impairs\nhis ability to hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, slingbow, arrowgun, or\ncrossbow safely. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is\nguilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Conservation police officers, sheriffs, and all\nother law-enforcement officers shall enforce the provisions of this section.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 29-140.1; 1952, c. 96; 1962, c. 469; 1975, cc. 14, 15;\n1999, c. 543; 2005, c. 507; 2017, c. 530; 2018, cc. 557, 558.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}