The following local ordinances apply in Newport News City:
- Sec. 43-3. - Prohibition on possession of firearms. (reference)
(a) No person shall possess, carry or transport any firearm, ammunition for a firearm, or any components or combination thereof in any of the following locations:
(1) Any building, or part thereof, owned or used by the City of Newport News, or by any authority or local governmental entity created or controlled by the City of Newport News, for governmental purposes. In buildings not owned by the City of Newport News, or by any authority or local governmental entity created or controlled by the City of Newport News, this section shall apply only to the part of the building that is being used for a governmental purpose and when such building, or part thereof, is being used for a governmental purpose.
(2) Any recreation or community center facility operated by the City of Newport News or by any authority or local governmental entity created or controlled by the City of Newport News.(b) Notice of this section shall be posted as required by § 15.2-915 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.
(c) Pursuant to this section, the City may implement security measures that are designed to prevent the unauthorized access of such buildings or recreation or community center facilities by a person with any firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof, such as the use of metal detectors or other weapons detection systems and increased use of security personnel. Security personnel, law enforcement, and any other authorized government employee or agent may deny entry to any of the locations covered by this section to any person with any firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof, and may direct such person to leave said location. Failure to leave after being so directed may result in trespassing charges under applicable law.
(d) Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) Sworn law enforcement officers;
(2) Active-duty military personnel acting within the scope of their official duties;
(3) City of Newport News park rangers acting within the scope of their official duties;
(4) Duly authorized employees of the City of Newport News fire department assigned to the fire marshal's office or bomb team, acting within the scope of their official duties;
(5) Authorized participants in city sponsored educational programs, such as battle re-enactments or living history demonstrations;
(6) Security guards employed or contracted by the City of Newport News or by any authority or local governmental entity created or controlled by the City of Newport News, in the performance of their lawful duties;
(7) The activities of (i) a Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program operated at a public or private institution of higher education in accordance with the provisions of 10 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq. or (ii) any intercollegiate athletics program operated by a public or private institution of higher education and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association or any club sports team recognized by a public or private institution of higher education where the sport engaged in by such program or team involves the use of a firearm. Such activities shall follow strict guidelines developed by such institutions for these activities and shall be conducted under the supervision of staff officials of such institutions;
(8) Any individually authorized hunting or game reduction program expressly permitted by an official of a public or private institution of higher education;
(9) An otherwise lawfully possessed firearm, ammunition, components or combination thereof, stored out of sight in a locked private motor vehicle lawfully parked on City property or on a public street;
(10) Individuals who are authorized to carry a concealed firearm pursuant to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B and 926C, as amended.
(11) Other City of Newport News employees and officials authorized by the city manager to carry a firearm, acting within the scope of that authorization.(e)Violations of this section shall be punishable by a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(Ord. No. 7636-20, § 1; Ord. No. 8037-24, § 1)
- Sec. 43-9. - Discharge of firearms generally. (reference)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm within the City of Newport News, Virginia.
(Ord. No. 265, § 2; Ord. No. 955, § 1; Code 1961, § 42-5; Ord. No. 3284-85; Ord. No. 3906-89; Ord. No. 6882-12, § 2)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 6882-12 shall be in effect on and after July 1, 2012.
State Law reference— Authority of city to regulate or prohibit the discharge of firearms, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1113; discharging firearms in city street or other public places, Code of Virginia, §§ 18.2-280, 18.2-286.
- Sec. 43-10. - Pneumatic guns. (reference)
(a) Pneumatic guns may be used at facilities approved for shooting ranges, on other property where firearms may be discharged, or on or within private property with the permission of the owner or legal possessor thereof. Such use must be conducted with reasonable care to prevent a projectile from crossing the bounds of the property.(b)Minors may use pneumatic guns under the following conditions:
(1) Minors under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent, guardian, or other adult supervisor approved by a parent or guardian in all uses of pneumatic guns.
(2) Minors 16 years of age or older may use pneumatic guns with the written consent of a parent or guardian.
(3) Any minor, whether permitted by a parent or guardian to use a pneumatic gun or not, shall be responsible for obeying all laws, regulations, and restrictions governing the use of pneumatic guns.
(4) Training of minors in the use of pneumatic guns shall be done only under direct supervision of a parent, guardian, Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps instructor, or a certified instructor. Training of minors 16 years of age or older may also be done without direct supervision if approved by the minor's instructor, with the permission of and under the responsibility of a parent or guardian, and in compliance with all requirements of this section. Ranges and instructors may be certified by the National Rifle Association, a state or federal agency that has developed a certification program, any service of the Department of Defense, or any person authorized by these authorities to certify ranges and instructors.(c) Commercial or private areas designated for the use of pneumatic paintball guns may be established and operated for recreational use in areas where such facilities are permitted by the city's zoning ordinance. Equipment designed to protect the face and ears shall be provided to participants at such recreational areas, and signs must be posted to warn against entry into the paintball area by persons who are unprotected or unaware that paintball guns are in use.
(d) A violation of this section shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(Ord. No. 265, § 6; Code 1961, § 42-6; Ord. No. 3284-85; Ord. No. 6882-12, § 2)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 6882-12 shall be in effect on and after July 1, 2012.
- Sec. 43-46. - Bows and Arrows - Shooting or discharging generally. (reference)
It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot an arrow from a bow in a manner that can be reasonably expected to result in the impact of the arrow upon the property of another without permission from the owner or tenant of such property. For purposes of this article, "bow" includes all compound bows, crossbows, longbows and recurve bows having a peak draw weight of ten pounds or more. The term "bow" does not include bows which have a peak draw of less than ten pounds or which are designed or intended to be used principally as toys. The term "arrow" means a shaft-like projectile intended to be shot from a bow.
(Ord. No. 1085, § 1; Code 1961, § 42-26; Ord. No. 6882-12, § 2)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 6882-12 shall be in effect on and after July 1, 2012.