Guns, knives, and weapons are generally prohibited on school grounds, as provided by school policies and state and federal laws.

Although children in grades 1-12 are generally not eligible for a concealed carry weapon permit, older students on college campuses may be eligible for a concealed carry permit (CCP) in some states—also known as a concealed handgun license (CHL), license to carry (LTC), concealed carry license (CCL), or concealed carry weapon (CCW).

A student’s right to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds may be governed by state and federal laws, as well as school policies.

In Virginia, firearms, knives, and other weapons are generally prohibited on K-12 school grounds, in accordance with both state statutes and federal law. This prohibition is reinforced by the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 at the federal level, which makes it unlawful to knowingly possess a firearm in a school zone, with certain exceptions. Virginia state law also prohibits the possession of firearms on school property, school buses, and at school-sponsored activities. However, there are exceptions for law enforcement officers and others with specific authorization. Regarding higher education institutions, while older students may be eligible for a concealed carry permit (CCP), individual colleges and universities in Virginia have the authority to set their own policies regarding the possession of concealed weapons on campus. Some may allow it under specific circumstances, while others may completely ban firearms. Students who are eligible for a CCP and wish to carry on college campuses must adhere to both state law and the policies of the specific institution they attend.