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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>350956</law_id><section_number>18.2-433.3</section_number><catch_line>Exceptions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="52" identifier="18.2">Crimes and Offenses Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="9" identifier="9">Crimes Against Peace and Order</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="7" identifier="8">Unlawful Paramilitary Activity</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to apply to:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Any act of a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer</span> performed in the otherwise lawful performance of the officer&#x2019;s official duties; <a id="paragraph-1307302" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.3/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Any activity, undertaken without knowledge of or <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to cause or further a <span class="dictionary">civil disorder</span>, which is intended to teach or practice self-defense or self-defense techniques such as karate clubs or self-defense clinics, and similar lawful activity; <a id="paragraph-1307303" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.3/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Any facility, program or lawful activity related to <span class="dictionary">firearms</span> instruction and training intended to teach the safe handling and use of <span class="dictionary">firearms</span>; or <a id="paragraph-1307304" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.3/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Any other lawful sports or activities related to the individual recreational use or <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of <span class="dictionary">firearms</span>, including but not limited to hunting activities, target shooting, self-defense and <span class="dictionary">firearms</span> collection.
			Notwithstanding any language contained herein, no activity of any individual, group, organization or other entity engaged in the lawful display or use of <span class="dictionary">firearms</span> or other weapons or facsimiles thereof shall be deemed to be in violation of this <span class="dictionary">statute</span>. <a id="paragraph-1307305" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-433.3/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1987, c. 720.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
