Willfully Discharging Firearms in Public: Va. Code § 18.2-280

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by | April 26, 2019

What is willful discharge of a firearm in public?

If any person willfully discharges or causes to be discharged any firearm in any street in a city or town, or in any place of public business or place of public gathering, and such conduct results in bodily injury to another person, he shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony. If such conduct does not result in bodily injury to another person, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Va. Code 18.2-280

In Virginia, a Class 6 Felony carries a term of imprisonment of one to five years. A Class 1 misdemeanor carries a term of imprisonment of up to one year and up to a $2,500 fine.

They have to prove that you did this willfully or intentionally, that a firearm was actually discharged, and that it was in a public place.

Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney for Your Firearms Charge

This is a serious charge, and there may be other charges that arise, depending on the facts, such as malicious wounding.

There are also defenses to explore. Such as whether or not the firearm was discharged intentionally, or if you did so in self-defense. Contact our Client-Focused Criminal Defense Team to learn how we can help you with a firearms charge in Northern Virginia.