Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I am hoping to be moving to NOVA in the next couple months, most likely in the Fairfax County area. I have been wanting to purchase a SBR but decided I better wait till I settle in somewhere first. How hard is the process of obtaining the CLEO approval for NFA items in Virginia especially NOVA? Do I go through the county police or local police or does it depend where exactly I live?

Anyone with experience here would love for the advice

thanks

ArmySGTPM wrote:How hard is the process of obtaining the CLEO approval for NFA items in Virginia especially NOVA?

Depends entirely on locality. It's not urban=no, rural=yes, either.

Do I go through the county police or local police or does it depend where exactly I live?

You go through the government of where you live. Note that Virginia has independent cities, so if you live in one of them, you will have to go through the CLEO there. There is no "city won't sign, so I'll try the county sheriff", or vice versa, here. While commonwealth's attorneys and some judges are technically also CLEOs, if the local top cop won't sign then the lawyers won't either unless you're a buddy or campaign contributor.

My understanding is that Fairfax county will sign. There may be some intrusive extra stuff involved as well, I'm not sure on that. The closer you get to DC the harder it is: Alexandria is no-go.

Diomed wrote:

ArmySGTPM wrote:How hard is the process of obtaining the CLEO approval for NFA items in Virginia especially NOVA?

Depends entirely on locality. It's not urban=no, rural=yes, either.

Do I go through the county police or local police or does it depend where exactly I live?

You go through the government of where you live. Note that Virginia has independent cities, so if you live in one of them, you will have to go through the CLEO there. There is no "city won't sign, so I'll try the county sheriff", or vice versa, here. While commonwealth's attorneys and some judges are technically also CLEOs, if the local top cop won't sign then the lawyers won't either unless you're a buddy or campaign contributor.

My understanding is that Fairfax county will sign. There may be some intrusive extra stuff involved as well, I'm not sure on that. The closer you get to DC the harder it is: Alexandria is no-go.

More or less sums it up. If you can't get them to sign you have the alternative of a trust which does not require their signature.

gunderwood wrote: More or less sums it up. If you can't get them to sign you have the alternative of a trust which does not require their signature.

Yeah I understand the whole trust route, would like to not use that route if possible, rather have the items directly in my name.

Any cities in Fairfax County to avoid if I am wanting to get any NFA items?

ArmySGTPM wrote:Yeah I understand the whole trust route, would like to not use that route if possible, rather have the items directly in my name.

Incorporation is also an option, though if you want to own them personally that doesn't help.

You could contact the Attorney General's office and ask if they're doing signoffs now.

Any cities in Fairfax County to avoid if I am wanting to get any NFA items?

I have no knowledge of any. Surprised no one else has chimed in...

ArmySGTPM wrote:
Yeah I understand the whole trust route, would like to not use that route if possible, rather have the items directly in my name.

Any cities in Fairfax County to avoid if I am wanting to get any NFA items?

If you care to share the reasons, why no interest in a trust? I'm curious why people choose trust/no-trust options.

-j

jdonovan wrote:

ArmySGTPM wrote:
Yeah I understand the whole trust route, would like to not use that route if possible, rather have the items directly in my name.

Any cities in Fairfax County to avoid if I am wanting to get any NFA items?

If you care to share the reasons, why no interest in a trust? I'm curious why people choose trust/no-trust options.

-j

Probably because we have had the trust vs. private debate a few times before. I don't know who is or isn't signing stuff in Fairfax.