David Rose Charged With Allegedly Possessing or Purchasing a Firearm While Subject to a Protective Order

Published: October 2025

Publicly available court records from the Commonwealth of Virginia indicate that David Robert Rose of Front Royal, Virginia, was charged with a misdemeanor offense alleging that he was in possession of or purchased a firearm while subject to a qualifying protective order.

According to the court filing, Case No. GC25004142-00 was filed on October 20, 2025, following an alleged incident that occurred on October 17, 2025. The case was filed in Virginia General District Court and involves an alleged violation of the Commonwealth’s firearm restrictions applicable to individuals who are subject to certain protective orders.

Charge Filed

The publicly available court record lists the following charge:

Charge: Buy Gun, Protective Order Issued
Virginia Code: § 18.2-308.1:4
Case Type: Misdemeanor
Classification: Class 1 Misdemeanor
Offense Date: October 17, 2025
Filed Date: October 20, 2025

The defendant is identified in the court record as David Robert Rose, with a listed address in Front Royal, Virginia. The record also indicates that the defendant was represented by the Public Defender’s Office.

The publicly available court information does not identify the specific firearm allegedly involved, the circumstances surrounding the alleged purchase, or the nature of the protective order referenced in the charge.

What Does Virginia Code § 18.2-308.1:4 Cover?

Virginia Code § 18.2-308.1:4 establishes restrictions on the possession, purchase, transportation, and, in certain circumstances, possession of firearms by individuals who are subject to qualifying protective orders issued by a court.

The statute is intended to reduce the risk of violence in situations where a court has determined that legal protection is necessary for another individual. Depending on the type of protective order that has been issued, Virginia law may prohibit an individual from purchasing or transporting firearms while the order remains in effect. Certain final protective orders may also require the surrender or lawful transfer of firearms during the duration of the order.

The statute applies only when the legal requirements established under Virginia law have been met and a qualifying protective order is in effect at the time of the alleged conduct.

What Is a Protective Order?

A protective order is a court-issued order intended to provide legal protection to an individual who alleges that they have been subjected to violence, threats, stalking, abuse, or other conduct recognized under Virginia law. Protective orders are civil orders and are distinct from criminal convictions.

Virginia courts may issue protective orders in a variety of circumstances, including allegations involving:

Domestic violence.
Assault or threats of bodily harm.
Stalking or repeated harassment.
Sexual violence.
Abuse involving family or household members.
Other situations in which a court determines that legal protection is warranted.

Protective orders may be issued on an emergency, preliminary, or final basis, with different legal consequences depending on the type of order entered by the court.

Why Firearm Restrictions Apply

Virginia law imposes firearm restrictions on certain individuals subject to protective orders as a public safety measure intended to reduce the potential for violence while a qualifying court order remains in effect.

In addition to restrictions on purchasing firearms, qualifying protective orders may affect an individual’s ability to transport firearms, possess firearms under certain circumstances, or maintain a concealed handgun permit until the order expires or is otherwise dissolved by the court.

What Is a Class 1 Misdemeanor?

The court record classifies the alleged offense as a Class 1 misdemeanor, the highest level of misdemeanor under Virginia law.

A conviction for a Class 1 misdemeanor may result in:

Up to 12 months in jail;
A fine of up to $2,500;
Or both imprisonment and a fine.

Any sentence imposed depends upon the facts established in court, the applicable law, and the final disposition of the case.

Public Court Records

The information contained in this article is derived from publicly available Virginia court records. Court databases generally provide case information, including the charges filed, filing dates, and procedural status, but they do not ordinarily include police reports, witness testimony, evidence, or the complete factual circumstances underlying an alleged offense. Court records may also be amended or updated as legal proceedings continue.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is based solely on publicly available Virginia court records. A criminal charge is an allegation and does not establish that a crime occurred or that the defendant committed the offense charged. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Court proceedings may ultimately result in amended charges, dismissal, acquittal, plea agreements, or convictions that are not reflected in the initial filing. Readers seeking the most current status of a case should consult the official records of the appropriate Virginia court.

WPN5214M1 is a Virginia offense code used by law enforcement and court systems that corresponds to Virginia Code § 18.2-308.1:4, titled “Purchase or Transportation of a Firearm by Persons Subject to Protective Orders.” The charge applies when a person who is currently subject to a qualifying protective order purchases or transports a firearm while that order is in effect. Depending on the circumstances and the type of protective order involved, violations can be charged as either a Class 1 misdemeanor or, in certain cases involving firearm possession under specific final protective orders, a Class 6 felony.

What the Charge Means

The statute is designed to reduce the risk of violence in situations where a court has determined that legal protection is necessary for another person. A qualifying protective order temporarily limits certain firearm-related rights while the order remains active. Specifically, an individual subject to such an order is prohibited from:

Purchasing a firearm.
Transporting a firearm.
Carrying a concealed handgun under an existing concealed handgun permit, which must generally be surrendered to the court while the order is in effect.
In certain types of final protective orders, knowingly possessing any firearm at all.

Virginia law also requires individuals subject to certain final protective orders to surrender, sell, or legally transfer their firearms within specified time limits and certify compliance with the court. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in additional legal consequences.

Why a Protective Order May Be Issued

A protective order is a civil court order intended to protect an individual from alleged violence, threats, stalking, or other conduct that places the person in reasonable fear of bodily injury. Importantly, a protective order is not itself a criminal conviction. It is a legal mechanism used to reduce the risk of harm while disputes or criminal allegations are addressed through the courts.

Virginia courts may issue protective orders in situations involving allegations such as:

Domestic violence.
Assault or battery involving a family or household member.
Threats of violence.
Stalking.
Sexual violence.
Repeated harassment that creates a reasonable fear of injury.
Abuse involving children or vulnerable family members.
Other circumstances where a judge determines that legal protection is warranted under Virginia law.

Types of Protective Orders in Virginia

Virginia recognizes several different types of protective orders depending on the urgency and stage of the case:

Emergency Protective Order (EPO): Usually issued immediately after an incident by a magistrate or judge, often lasting up to 72 hours.
Preliminary Protective Order (PPO): A temporary order issued before a full hearing when the court finds sufficient evidence that immediate protection may be necessary.
Final (Permanent) Protective Order: Entered after a court hearing where both parties generally have an opportunity to present evidence. These orders may remain in effect for up to two years and can sometimes be extended.

Firearm Restrictions Under the Law

Virginia distinguishes between different firearm-related restrictions depending on the type of protective order:

A person subject to a qualifying protective order generally may not purchase or transport firearms while the order is active.
Individuals subject to certain final protective orders are also prohibited from knowingly possessing firearms and must relinquish them within the statutory time period.
Concealed handgun permits are suspended during the duration of qualifying protective orders.

Important Legal Context

Being charged under WPN5214M1 / Virginia Code § 18.2-308.1:4 does not establish that an individual committed the offense. A criminal charge is an allegation that must be proven in court, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Likewise, the existence of a protective order does not necessarily constitute a criminal conviction; many protective orders are civil in nature and are issued to provide temporary legal protection while underlying allegations are resolved.