Applied for my carry permit today in VA

[RicVa]

I went and applied for my concealed handgun permit today. It was a pretty good experience. The only issue I had was with the fingerprints. There aren’t really clear instructions anywhere on how to go about this. I guess I could have called the clerk’s office. I didn’t get them done ahead of time, I figured the clerk’s office would have me sent to do them or give me paperwork for them or something. I was supposed to go get them done before ever going to the clerk’s office, so that was a wasted trip. A trip down the street to the Public Safety building and I got my fingerprints really quickly. I came back and turned in the application and my 50 bucks and it was a quick, smooth overall process.

45 days is the limit it is supposed to take to get your permit in VA. One interesting note on this, 45 days from now is my first Father’s Day. Although I have heard that Henrico County can take longer.

Now I just have to figure out what I am going to carry. I am selling or trading my Glock 21 very soon. I am considering a couple of new 9mm’s for carry and range.

 

[jetman]

Congratulations!! Ohio just passed our CCW law and opened us up for applications 4/8.... I applied for mine on the 4/21 and while Ohio also has 45 days to approve/deny your application, I got my approval in 2 days and picked it up the next day!!! Be safe, and hopefully VA will be as quick as my local Sheriff !!!!

 

[cookhj]

you live in henrico huh? i'm out in the west end. from what i know, if the county gov't takes too long, they must issue you a temporary one until they can get you your permanent license.

if you need a shooting buddy, let me know!

 

[SapperLeader]

What county is still requring fingerprints? Virgina law says you dont need fingerprints for a ccw application, and counties are no longer allowed to make more restrictive laws than the state has.

anyway, good luck with the 45 days. I have two friends who recieved thiers in 30, most counties seem to be good about this. I live in prince william and it took me 12 months , due to some issues with the local judge. Its well worth it once it arrives though!

 

[RicVa]

As far as I know, in VA, fingerprinting is still up to the city/county. Henrico still requires it. Wow, 12 months is very extreme. As I mentioned, I've read about Henrico being a pain about the whole thing and pushing it up to or past the 45 days, we'll see.

cookjh - I'm out in the far west end of Henrico. I've heard about them issueing a temporary license when they take too long for a renewal.

Jetman - That is awesome that you got your permit in two days. I wish it coult be two days here or even two weeks.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I know the fascists at the City of Chesapeake still require fingerprinting. I just renewed my CCW back in October. CPD usually does it. Don't get me started on them. Of course, this city has a history of bending the laws whenever it suits them. When I first got mine, it took 60 days (this was just after the 45 day requirement kicked it - during the first year or so they had up to 90 to keep you waiting before approval). I heard somebody filed suit for going over the limit and they were within the 45 (barely) required limit for the renewal. If it were up to the circuit court, these things would never been granted. Used to be only a handful of regular citizens were allowed to carry concealed, everybody else was illegal.

 

[SapperLeader]

Yeah, my 12 month issue was due to my training requirment. I received a notice in december 2002 that my military training wasnt sufficient in the judges opinion, and I needed to take a nra safety course. I was activated for military service about 2 weeks later, so I didnt have a opportunity to take a course. I wrote a bunch of letters to just about everybody, but it did me no good. Finally, during summer 03, we got off the insane 16-18 hour days we were on, and I had a opportunity to take a nra safety course. 2 months later I had my permit(september). I was definitly the exception to the virginia process as at least a dozen guys in my unit have used military training to meet the requirment and recieved their permits in 45 days. At least I have a permit now .

 

[jptsr1]

Got mine in Charlottesville. Took a bit longer than 45 days because of the clerk dragging her feet. It sat on her desk for about 2 extra weeks. I had to get finger printed but it was a while ago so maybe the law has changed since then.

J.

 

[4thHorseman]

One thing to keep in mind about VA permits, they do not notify you when they are about to expire.
Also, they take just as long to renew. So if yours expires in July, and you go down to renew it in July, you can not. It will take up to 45 days to get the renewal back. So you'll have to renew it in May so you will not be without one.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

First time I had to renew I ran short and was without a means to legally carry for about 2 weeks. They send you a notice for your Driver's License, the least they could do is get off their lazy butts and remind you when your CCW is going to expeire, since this is an infinitely more important document. I think these guys are trying to find ways to trip you up. Get stopped by a cop? Forgot CCW was expired? Oops, buddy thats a misdemeanor. Granted, it is ultimately your responsibility to remember your renewal, but with a 5 year period before renewal, it is easy to lose track. Last time I renewed, I started the application 2 months early and had the permit within 30 days.

 

[stans]

Colonial Heights and Chesterfield still require finger prints. Colonial Heights used to be good about issue times, usually issuing in less than the maximum number of days allowed. Chesterfield (Arrestorfield) is a different story. 45 days allowed by law, don't call them before the 45th day. My renewal was ready and waiting after 37 days, they would not release it until the 45th day. The expiration date is exactly 1826 days from the issue date, so I lost 8 days on this permit. Yeah, we are only talking about 22 cents worth of paid permit days, but it is the principle that matters. Some jurisdictions do not want civilians to have permits and they will make it hard to obtain a permit.

 

[JohnBT]

www.vcdl.org

The Virginia Citizens Defense League has a reminder service. It's listed on the right side of the main page.

Feel free to join while you're there.

John
_________________

VCDL Permit Expiration Reminder Service


This service is offered free of charge to all visitors to the VCDL website.

By entering your email address, description of permit, and expiration date, you will automatically be notified by email when there is 6 months remaining on your permit. You will then be notified once more when there is only 3 months remaining.

If you have multiple permits that you wish to be reminded of, you may sign up multiple times at the same email address with the different expiration dates.

 

[bradvanhorn]

Virginia Beach was very friendly about the whole thing. They told me to expect about six weeks, but a week later my letter arrived stating my permit was ready. I couldn't have been more pleased. One of my Marines got his in Norfolk in about three weeks. Chesapeake as I understand it is another matter...

 

[stans]

Yeah, I think Chesapeake has pretty much tried to ban handguns all together! At least that is the way it seems to me. A couple of years ago Henrico tried to override Virginia law and impose carry restrictions in their buildings. The Commowealth's Attorney's Office stopped Henrico's attempt to add restrictions to state law.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Chesapeake hasn't gone so far as to outlaw handguns, but they've done a few things to make it damn difficult. There are a number of officials (mostly judges and people in the clerk's office) that have been in office too long. We don't seem to be getting any relief with the judge issue, but we recently were fortunate enough to get replacement for the mayor and clerk of the circuit court. I don't know how the new people are, but they could hardly be any worse than the do-gooder crusader, I-know-what's-best-for-you-who-cares-what-you-think types they replaced. The chief of police, of course, has been around too long and spends most of his time puckering up to the politicians (this is a weakness of appointed CLEO, as opposed to elected sheriffs who are directly responsible to the people - we have a sheriff who seems to be pretty middle of the road). Did you know there are no handgun dealers in Chesapeake? It's b/c you can't get the purchase permits, they have a "when I get to it" attitude and they don't seem to ever get to it. I keep up my duty-bound 1 handgun a month in Norfolk, Va Beach, Hampton, and Henrico (gunshows) to help the dealers and to thumb my nose at these scumbags who think they can walk all over me. OK, now I'm becoming interested in advanced gun ownership (SBRs and stuff that you need a tax stamp for). Looks like I might be moving to another city b/c CPD chief will not sign off on the forms for the ATF tax stamp, He won't refuse to take them, he just won't sign them once he has them. Portsmouth is the same. Don't know about Va Beach, but they seem to be ok. Norfolk just got a new chief (former FBI type), so that's a wild card, but the old guy was an pucker-up type too. A machine gun dealer I know once told me that the sheriff can sign off on these things, so I might see about that route. Oh well, I'll turn the rant mode off now.

 

[kidcoltoutlaw]

what do you have to do to

renew it in virginia,thanks,keith

 

[RicVa]

I believe all you have to do to renew in Va, at least in Henrico County, is to apply. Once you have it, you don't have to show any additional proof of training or anything.

It's interesting to hear people's experiences in the different cities and counties in this state. It sounds like Chesapeake is horrible. Maybe I don't feel like I am in as bad of a situation being in Henrico now. I'll keep you all posted when my Henrico permit comes throuigh. Three days and counting!

 

[stans]

Chesterfield County requires $50, the application, and two complete sets of fingerprints, preferably done at the time the application is made. The application is made at the court clerk's office, but you have to get in your car and drive over to the police station, fill out a form and be finger printed twice. They will let you pick up your print cards once the application is approved.

Colonial Heights, at least five years ago, required $50 and the application, nothing more.

 

[XLMiguel]

When I first applied in `98, it took 44 days (Fairfax). The renewal took less than a month. 4thHorseman has a point, they don't notify you when it's expiring, and they do have 45 days to renew, so be aware around 4 yrs & 10 months . . . stay safe.