# Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.5: Manufacture, assembly, importation, etc., of plastic or other nondetectable firearm prohibited; penalty

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.5

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.5
- **Heading:** Manufacture, assembly, importation, etc., of plastic or other nondetectable firearm prohibited; penalty
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 18.2 / Chapter 7 / Article 7 / Section 18.2-308.5

## Text

A. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly manufacture or assemble, cause to be manufactured or assembled, import, purchase, sell, offer for sale, transfer, or possess (i) any plastic firearm or (ii) any firearm that, after removal of all parts other than a major component, is not detectable as a firearm by the types of detection devices, including X-ray machines, commonly used at airports, government buildings, schools, correctional facilities, and other locations for security screening.

B. As used in this section:

"Frame" and "receiver" have the same meanings attributed to them in 18 U.S.C. § 921 et seq. and regulations issued pursuant thereto.

"Major component" means (i) the slide or cylinder, or the frame or receiver, of the firearm or (ii) in the case of a rifle or shotgun, the barrel of the firearm.

"Plastic firearm" means any firearm, including machine guns and sawed-off shotguns as defined in this chapter, containing less than 3.7 ounces of electromagnetically detectable metal in the barrel, slide, cylinder, frame, or receiver that, when subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices, including X-ray machines, commonly used at airports, government buildings, schools, correctional facilities, and other locations for security screening, does not generate an image that accurately depicts its shape.

C. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 5 felony.

1989, c. 663; 2004, c. 995 ; 2026, cc. 531 , 532 .

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1 Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:1 Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearms by persons acquitted by reason of insanity; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:2 Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm by persons adjudicated legally incompetent or mentally incapacitated; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A2.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:3 Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm by persons involuntarily admitted or ordered to outpatient treatment; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A3.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:4 Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons subject to protective orders; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A4.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:5 Purchase or transportation of firearm by persons convicted of certain drug offenses prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A5.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:6 Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearms by persons subject to substantial risk orders; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A6.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:7 Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm by persons enrolled into the Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A7.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:8 Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery of a family or household member intimate partner; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A8.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.1:9 Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following conviction for importation, sale, possession, etc., of assault firearm; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.1%3A9.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.2 Possession or transportation of firearms, firearms ammunition, stun weapons, explosives or concealed weapons by convicted felons; penalties; petition for restoration order; when issued](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.2.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.2:1 Prohibiting the selling, etc., of firearms to certain persons; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.2%3A1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.2:01 Possession or transportation of certain firearms by certain persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.2%3A01.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308.2:2 Criminal history record information check required for the transfer of certain firearms](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.2%3A2.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T18.2_C7_A7_S18.2-308.5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
