I believe there are circumstances that allow you to disable the airbag but not remove it, albeit that isn't terribly helpful in this case. The only way to stick to the letter of the law is to get an aftermarket steering wheel with an airbag, which generally aren't all that much better than stock ones.

However, from my brief searching into the matter most of the (Federal) law seems to be aimed at businesses removing airbags. I'm not entirely sure what the law is for someone removing their own airbag. In some states it's illegal for anyone to remove an airbag, and knowing VA's great laws regarding aftermarket auto parts I'd have to imagine it was the same.