About the Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit: Applications are submitted through the circuit court in the city or county in which the resident lives. For a non-resident permit, applications must be submitted to the Virginia State Police. Applications may be downloaded here: http://www.vsp.state.va.us/FormsPublications.shtm
Age Requirement: 21 years or older
Validity: Permit is valid for 5 years after which it must be renewed.
Cost: Cost is set by the county of the resident but shall not exceed $50 for a new Virginia Concealed Weapons Permit as well as a renewal. The fee for a Virginia Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit is $100.
Acceptable Training: Must take an approved Virginia Concealed Carry Course. There is no range or live fire requirement. The course online here at: https://www.mycarrypermit.com/ is accepted and honored by every county in Virginia and by the Virginia State Police for those applying as non-residents.
Reciprocity: There are currently 35 states that you may carry in with a Virginia Resident Concealed Carry Permit and 29 states with a Virginia Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit. However, please remember that while traveling you must follow the specific laws in each state you are in.
Non-Resident Virginia Permit: Applicants must request an “Application Packet for the Virginia Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit”. We recommend requesting by emailing: nonrespermit@vsp.virginia.gov Please be sure to include applicant’s complete name, mailing address and telephone number.
Places Off-Limits even with a Permit/License: Private property where prohibited by the property owner or posted as prohibited, Places of religious worship while a meeting for religious purposes is going on unless you have “good and sufficient reason”, courthouses, Regional Jail or Juvenile Detention Facility, Non-secure areas of airport terminals unless you are a passenger and your firearm is unloaded, locked, in your checked luggage and declared at check-in counter, school property/school functions unless gun is unloaded, securely encased, and in vehicle, or gun is concealed, remains in vehicle and permit holder remains in vehicle with a valid concealed handgun permit.
Do “No Gun Signs” Hold Force of Law: NO. “No firearm” signs in Virginia have no force of law unless they are posted on property mentioned (above) in state law as off limits. If you carry into a place not mentioned in the law that is posted (or not posted with a sign) and they ask you to leave, you must leave. If you refuse to leave, then you are trespassing and can be charged with that offense.
Contact with Law Enforcement: If an officer asks for your permit/license to carry, you must present it to them along with photo id.
State Areas: Carry in Virginia with a permit is allowed in State Parks, State and National Forests, and Road side rest areas.
Car Carry Without a Permit/License: Without a permit, any person who can legally possess a firearm may carry a firearm in a vehicle if firearm is secured in a container or compartment including but not limited to the glove box or center console.
Open Carry: Open Carry is legal in Virginia. Places off limits (above) do still apply to those open carrying.
Virginia Residency: You may apply for a resident Virginia Concealed Carry Permit upon establishing residency. Residency is considered established any time after obtaining a Virginia state ID or Driver’s License.
Where to find more information: We recommend going straight to the source, State Firearm Laws: 18.2-279 thru 18.2-312
