The following local ordinances apply in New Kent County:
- Sec. 46-222. - Firearms not to be carried in vehicle, when loaded; enforcement. (reference)
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall transport, possess or carry any loaded shotgun or rifle in any vehicle on any public street, road or highway in the county. This section shall be enforced by conservation police officers, sheriffs, and all other law enforcement officers.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to duly-authorized law enforcement officers or military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, or to any person who reasonably believes that a loaded rifle or shotgun is necessary for his personal safety in the course of his employment or business.
(c) Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $100.00.
(Code 1999, § 12-43; Ord. No. O-01-14, 1-13-2014)
Cross reference— Traffic and vehicles, ch. 70.
State Law reference— Enabling laws pertaining to carrying or transporting loaded firearms, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-915.2; Uniform Machine Gun Act, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-288 et seq.; Sawed-off Shotgun and Sawed-off Rifle Act, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-299 et seq.; other illegal weapons, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-308 et seq.
- Sec. 46-223. - Firearms not to be used for hunting on or near highways. (reference)
(a) The hunting with a firearm of any game bird or game animal while the hunting is on or within 100 yards of any primary or secondary highway in the county is hereby prohibited.
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term "hunt" shall not include the necessary crossing of such highways for the bona fide purpose of going into or leaving a lawful hunting area.
(c) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
(Code 1999, § 12-44; Ord. No. O-01-14, 1-13-2014)
State Law reference— Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 29.1-526.
- Sec. 46-225. - Hunting with muzzle loading rifle. (reference)
Any other provision of law notwithstanding, during the prescribed open season for the hunting and killing of big game, the hunting of big game with muzzle loading rifles is expressly permitted, provided that such use shall be subject to the same rules and regulations, whether state or local, which apply to the use of any other firearm. The hunting of big game with any other rifle is expressly prohibited. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
(Code 1999, § 12-46; Ord. No. O-11-13, 10-15-2013)
State Law reference— Hunting with certain firearms, Code of Virginia, § 29.1-528.
- Sec. 46-226. - Turkey shoots; operation. (reference)
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct a turkey shoot or any shooting match or similar activity involving the discharge of firearms at a target or targets with the object of such activity to determine a winner of a prize, such as a turkey or pork ham or other food stuff or other prize, unless the following conditions are met:
(1) No firearm used in such event shall be discharged within 150 feet of any public or semipublic road or highway.
(2) No such event shall be conducted after 10:00 p.m. and before 9:00 a.m. of the following day, except that on Friday and Saturday nights, events may continue until 11:00 p.m.
(3) No such event shall be conducted within any residential subdivision, as defined by chapter 90.(b) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.
(Code 1999, § 12-41)