Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

My adult son just moved to Falls Church, Va. he has a few handguns. What does he have to do to get a concealed carry permit there? Is Falls Church area a gun friendly area or not?

Thanks.

opr1945

Best thing to do,is have him google chp in va requirements and that will take him to the vsp website and he can read up on it and print the application as well


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opr1945 wrote:My adult son just moved to Falls Church, Va. he has a few handguns. What does he have to do to get a concealed carry permit there? Is Falls Church area a gun friendly area or not?

Thanks.

opr1945

To get a CHP, he just has to be 21, and complete a firearms safety / training course of some sort...along with not have any legal prohibitions.

We're happy to help with any firearms training needs that he may have.

We have heard that the counties near Washington DC do not readily issue permits????? True??

Thanks so far.

opr1945 wrote:We have heard that the counties near Washington DC do not readily issue permits????? True??

Thanks so far.

Not true. VA is a shall issue state which means if one meets the requirements for a CHP, then it must be issued.

Give this page a read and also the embedded VA State Police links. You will then know pretty much all you need to regarding VA CHPs.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/virginia.pdf

opr1945 wrote:We have heard that the counties near Washington DC do not readily issue permits????? True??

Not true. It used to be that way, but the VA state law was reformed in 1995 to take away the discretion of the localities. Now, if he meets the qualifications, the permit must be issued.

Do a google search and you'll get the info you need. The only thing I'm not sure about in your case is his Falls Church address. Falls Church is a small, incorporated city in Fairfax County. They have their own government, but rely on Fairfax County for some services, so he'll have to see if they issue the permits or if they refer him to Fairfax County. If he has a Falls Church mailing address but actually lives in Fairfax County, then he'll go through Fairfax County. But either way, as a VA resident, he will get a permit.

While he gets the particulars figured out, and waiting for approval, open carry is always an option. Assuming that he is 18 or older, and can legally own a gun to begin with, he can carry openly. No permit required.

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opr1945 wrote:We have heard that the counties near Washington DC do not readily issue permits????? True??

Thanks so far.

Nope, I received mine from Fairfax (the county Falls Church is in) 3 weeks to the day from when I submitted the application, was surprised how quickly they processed it.

To get a CHP, he must turn in the completed application, proof of the safety training, and the fee to his locality's circuit court clerk. The fee can be no more than $50 and he may be required to be fingerprinted. Not everywhere requires it. Mainly I've seen places that have "City of" do and counties do not but that's just in my area.

In the case of a locality that drags it's feet, this is straight from the VA State Police website.

If Your Application is Not Complete within 45 Days – Section 18.2-308.05

If the court has not issued the permit or determined that the applicant is disqualified within 45 days of the date of receipt noted on the application, the clerk shall certify on the application that the 45-day period has expired, and send a copy of the certified application to the applicant. The certified application shall serve as a de facto permit, which shall expire 90 days after issuance, and shall be recognized as a valid concealed handgun permit when presented with a valid government-issued photo identification until the court issues a five-year permit or finds the applicant to be disqualified.

opr1945 wrote:We have heard that the counties near Washington DC do not readily issue permits????? True??

Not true at all. I got mine while living in the sandal-wearing, Obama-loving Democrat stronghold of Arlington. People at the courthouse were polite and professional.