Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Some of you know that I have recently become a bona fide VA resident having made good my escape from the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts. Accordingly I have acquired a VA driver's license, and registered my vehicles here. My next step was to change my non-resident CHP to a resident CHP, hence the trip to Circuit Court. I explained to the clerk of the court that I have had a non-resident CHP for a year now and having completed my relocation, I wanted to change it to a resident permit. She told me that Virginia "doesn't issue non-resident CHP's". When I showed her mine, she said she never heard of that before, and consulted with another clerk as to what course of action I should take. This led them to make a phone call after which they said "just get a change of address from the VSP and use the non-resident permit till it expires in 2017, then get the resident permit from PWC". Seems ridiculous to have a non-resident CHP with a Gainesville address, and I wonder what will happen if I am ever asked to produce it while carrying. Obviously I am going to contact the State Police and discuss this with them.
Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience attempting to convert licenses.

I have never heard of a process to "convert" a non-resident CHP to a resident CHP.

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_Res ... ealed.shtm

My understanding is that you fill out the form as a resident, have it notarized and submit to your local clerk or police department as required (varies by locality).

I concur with Jay - just apply for a new Resident Permit. Keep the Non-Res permit until you get your Resident permit.

Carry on!

You can't expect to use logic with government employees. All they know how to do is check the boxes and follow their routine. You change that and they are all out of wack.

AFAIK, there is no conversion process. Just use the training you used previously to get the resident CHP.

Remember that there is greater reciprocity with the res. CHP, so you'll want that sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the input guys. I kind of figured that conversion wasn't gonna happen but thought it was worth a shot if it would expedite the process.

ProShooter wrote:AFAIK, there is no conversion process. Just use the training you used previously to get the resident CHP.

Remember that there is greater reciprocity with the res. CHP, so you'll want that sooner rather than later.

Ah that's a good point. Thanks

I've never had a good experience with a PWC Court. I seem to know the law better than them.

That being said, welcome to Gainesville. I've lived here for about 7 years now. We should go shooting sometime.

PWC is one of those lagging courts who still "request" an extra 50 cents or a SASE when submitting app for CHP, renewal, or replacement.
The Clerk's too busy for a couple of weeks, but is "thinking" about changing the wording to add "optional" to at least be clearer that it's optional... because it is optional. They will process without it, and it is against VA Code to require it. Have had 3 conversations with her office about it to date.

Hopewell requires an sase also,thats new within the last 5 years too


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Stafford and Warren counties corrected their policies after discussions challenging them on the policy.
Getting ready to email Norfolk on their glitches.

When I moved from Michigan to Virginia (Fairfax County) in 2009 I just filled out the VA CHP application and took along my MI CHP, as well as a certificate from the training course I took in MI, when I dropped off the paperwork. It was too easy...they told me I could use my MI CHP until my VA CHP arrived by mail and that got to me less than 30 days later.

I guess a valid CHP is a valid CHP but I understand your wanting to have a VA CHP now that this is your residence. Maybe just apply for a VA CHP as if you've never had one in another state?

You mean the sase is optional?


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I got the same answer when I moved from MD with a VA non resident CHP. I did the change of address thing as they suggested, then went in and submitted a resident application. No problems at all and it only took about 10 days to get my new resident CHP in the mail.

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dusterdude wrote:You mean the sase is optional?

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... 8.2-308.03
A. The clerk shall charge a fee of $10 for the processing of an application or issuing of a permit, including his costs associated with the consultation with law-enforcement agencies. The local law-enforcement agency conducting the background investigation may charge a fee not to exceed $35 to cover the cost of conducting an investigation pursuant to this article. The $35 fee shall include any amount assessed by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for providing criminal history record information, and the local law-enforcement agency shall forward the amount assessed by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to the State Police with the fingerprints taken from any nonresident applicant. The State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $5 to cover its costs associated with processing the application. The total amount assessed for processing an application for a permit shall not exceed $50, with such fees to be paid in one sum to the person who receives the application.

Thanks cc but that doesnt appear to address the sase issue


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dusterdude wrote:Thanks cc but that doesnt appear to address the sase issue

PWC is charging $50 for CHP application, then asking $.50 or sase. That makes $50.50 for total application fee, and statute above strictly limits them to a max total of $50.
When confronted, all 3 jurisdictions claimed it was a request, not a mandate that people include the sase or 50 cents, and they'd process the app without it. 2 clerks subsequently removed the request altogether, PWC is mulling over adding the word, "optional sase/50 cents" to make it less ambiguous.

So they're hoping some idiot will still pay the $0.50? Someone that stupid probably shouldn't have a CHP.

Someone new might be intimidated that the person behind the counter might fudge their application process over 50 cents, and elect to just pay it to make friends.

I was hoodwinked trusting my clerk's office. The state police site says,
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_Res ... dgunPermit
"It is suggested that the applicant check with the Circuit Court where they reside for any local procedures. Questions specific to completion of the application, residency, or acceptable proof of handgun competency should be directed to the court."

So not realizing, being my initial application, I called 'em up to get the scoop, and subsequently had several illegal hoops wife+I went through. Afterwards, I read of similar accounts via VCDL, but with explanations on why it was wrong. I was ticked. Now I provide notification and feedback when I come across jurisdictions acting outside of their box.

The gall of COURTS administratively violating simple state law confounds me. I didn't know it was possible, let alone that they would defend themselves and try to justify it once confronted. They'd be all up in your stuff if it were you in violation of a jot or tittle of their arbitrary unConstitutional gun control laws. I stay polite, all the while harboring my indignation inside. I've been overestimating other humans' integrity who have achieved honorable high places of expected trust, duty, and authority.