Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §18.2-56.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§18.2-56.2. Allowing access to firearms by children; penalties.

A. It shall be is unlawful for any person to recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the age of fourteen 14. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

B. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly authorize a child four years of age or younger to use a firearm or a pneumatic gun under any circumstances. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C. It shall be is unlawful for any person knowingly to authorize a child five years of age or older but under the age of twelve 12 to use a firearm except when the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating this subsection shall be is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

D. For purposes of this subsection section, "adult" shall mean means a parent, guardian, person standing in loco parentis to the child, or a person twenty-one 21 years of age or over older who has the permission of the parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to supervise the child in the use of a firearm.