Trip to VA Circuit Court

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swift535

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Went to the courthouse today to apply for my CHP. I was home earlier than usual, so I figured it was my best chance on a normal day to get to the courthouse. Of course, they stop fingerprinting at 3pm :rolleyes: Sure must be nice to work from 9-3 instead of 6-3, and have a 45 minute commute lol.

What I was really disappointed in though, was the lack of knowledge from the courthouse staff. There was an older lady there looking for information on applying for her own permit, because she had some recent events which made her feel she needed one for self-defense. She was asking the clerk if the permit was only good for one city, which is very basic information, and the clerk had no idea.

I tried to help her out and answer her questions, but I couldn't help thinking 1) for people who have full time jobs, the whole procedure isn't very accessible and 2) there's something wrong when the people in the courthouse can't give you information on the law, especially when its something they deal with on a regular basis.

I wonder if a petition or something would gain any ground on fingerprinting hours. Even if the total hours they're open remained the same, but they worked like 1-7pm Monday-Tuesday and 9-3 Wednesday-Friday.
 
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There is no state requirement for fingerprinting in Virginia. Some counties/cities require fingerprints as a way to make it more of a hassle. I got my permit by sending a notarized application by mail and had no contact with a real person. Here is a link to the Virginia State Police which has lots of info.
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_ResidentConcealed.shtm
 
I know there's no state requirement, but I wasn't sure whether my country required it or not so I showed up figuring they'd tell me if I needed fingerprinted, and they did.

This is in James City County (Williamsburg). To expand on my original post, I hope people don't read it into it that the people at the court weren't helpful. They were amiable and quick to respond just the clerk next to me wasn't sure how to answer the lady's questions, and I was a bit taken back by that.
 
When I did mine in Virginia Beach I was fully expecting the fingerprinting and the question "Why do you need this" but the whole epierience went like this.

Nice lady behind counter (Nlbc): May I help you?
Me: I am here to apply for a concealed weapon permit.
Nlbc: Do you have an application?
Me: Here it is already filled out and noterized.
Nlbc: Ok that will be $50.00
Me: Here you go.
Nlbc: Here's your receipt.
Me: Thank you!
Nlbc: Have a nice day

About 3 minutes at the counter and 22 days later my permit was in my mailbox. I just love it when things go like they are supposed to.
 
I did mine in Norfolk, and I had to go down to the jailhouse and get printed. That's cool that VB doesn't require it.
 
I'm sure that about any local police officer can and would print you if you asked.

Then just take your print card with you, and maybe save a few $$ in the process.
 
Even Fairfax does not require prints.

It was just another way to try and make things more difficult.

Arlington County was requiring prints even on renewals until the state law stopped that junk.

I still remember Arlington trying to collect $45 for the police department, $45 for the sheriff's department, and $45 for the Commonwealths Attorney's office.

The State AG put a quick halt to it.
 
I know there's no state requirement, but I wasn't sure whether my country required it or not so I showed up figuring they'd tell me if I needed fingerprinted, and they did.
Click to expand...

They can't ask for fingerprints. You ought to contact VCDL about that.

Someone else already discussed how easy the process is - and that was in Virginia Beach i think. Its pretty easy in Fairfax too, i got my renewal in 15 days.

This is in James City County (Williamsburg). To expand on my original post, I hope people don't read it into it that the people at the court weren't helpful. They were amiable and quick to respond just the clerk next to me wasn't sure how to answer the lady's questions, and I was a bit taken back by that.
Click to expand...

I couldn't help thinking 1) for people who have full time jobs, the whole procedure isn't very accessible and 2) there's something wrong when the people in the courthouse can't give you information on the law, especially when its something they deal with on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

Well, of course its not the Clerks job to answer questions on how to fill out forms. If they made a mistake, I'd bet you'd get real ticked at them too. Most will be helpful, but many won't cause their 1) bureaucrats and 2) deal with ******* lawyers 3/4 of the time (speaking as a lawyer). If the woman didn't know what to do, she could have contacted the state police or hired a lawyer (again, speaking as a lawyer).

As to the hours, well . . . those are the hours any government building is open. You could have mailed the application in, or hired a lawyer, or did as you did - get off work early . . . . or gone into work late (which is what I did when I renewed).
 
Well to my surprise my CHP showed up in yesterday's mail, opened the envelope this morning before work :) Not bad, applied on the 11th and in my wallet on the 6th.
 
Congrats!
Sure beats the 7 weeks I waited here in NC, and I had to go pick mine up!
Be safe.
 
Did my in Petersburg, VA. Still going; took 40 days for the PD to get my background after that the court clerk said they have 45 days. It's day 67 and counting.
 
Did my in Petersburg, VA. Still going; took 40 days for the PD to get my background after that the court clerk said they have 45 days. It's day 67 and counting.
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That doesn't sound right. They have 45 days from the "date of receipt noted on the application."

You should be issued a temporary permit until your permit is approved or denied. If they are dragging their feet, join the VCDL if you aren't a member already. ;) Then, contact the VCDL and they should be able to help you sort it out.

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms...tm#IfYourApplicationisNotCompletewithin45Days


I know there's no state requirement, but I wasn't sure whether my country required it or not so I showed up figuring they'd tell me if I needed fingerprinted, and they did.
Click to expand...
They can't ask for fingerprints. You ought to contact VCDL about that.
Click to expand...

First time applicants can be fingerprinted if the county of residence requires it. Renewals are not subject to the same process and should not include fingerprinting.

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_ResidentConcealed.shtm#PermitRenewal
 
They can't ask for fingerprints. You ought to contact VCDL about that.

Someone else already discussed how easy the process is - and that was in Virginia Beach i think. Its pretty easy in Fairfax too, i got my renewal in 15 days.
Click to expand...

Sadly this is NOT correct.

THEY CAN require (not ask) for fingerprint card. The way state law is written it leaves it up to each locality. Chesapeake and Norfolk are one of the few locations that REQUIRE a fingerprint card. No exceptions. No card = no permit and it is 100% legal under VA state law.

The VCDL is working to remove the restriction. It makes no sense that my neighbor less than 5 miles away in Va Beach needs no fingerprint card but I do in Chesapeake.

It is completely done to make it more of a hassle and keep number of CHP down.
 
Did my in Petersburg, VA. Still going; took 40 days for the PD to get my background after that the court clerk said they have 45 days. It's day 67 and counting.
Click to expand...

Go to courthouse. In VA they MUST (it is shall issue) do one of the 3 in 45 days (not 46 days or 67 days).
1) Issue permit
2) Issue letter explaining reason for denial and allow applicant to request hearing
3) Stamp/certify your original application as a temporary CHP for 90 days until your card is issued.

So if you card isn't ready and they haven't denied you THEY MUST issue you a temp permit (which is your stamped application). They have no choice under state law.

So go to courthouse and ask for a temp permit. If they give you any flack show them copy of law. Lastly contact VCDL. Even if you get permit still join the VCDL they are a great organization fighting for gun rights in VA.
 
THEY CAN require (not ask) for fingerprint card. The way state law is written it leaves it up to each locality. Chesapeake and Norfolk are one of the few locations that REQUIRE a fingerprint card. No exceptions. No card = no permit and it is 100% legal under VA state law.
Click to expand...


Another reason to get behind state-wide rules for this kind of stuff. Preemption makes life a whole lot easier, not only in knowing the law, but in the way it's enforced.
 
I carry an Idaho permit and recently moved to Montana and applied for a Montana permit, all the Under sheriff did was take my picture and prints and issue the permit, no fee because he did not have to do a check because my Idaho permit was current. When I got my Idaho permit last year it took less than 30 minutes to fill out the questionaire, print, photo and it was issued based on the nics check, out the door with a hearty thank you from the sheriff for coming in and getting it. He said he wished everybody in his county that could qualify would apply and get a permit.
 
Another reason to get behind state-wide rules for this kind of stuff. Preemption makes life a whole lot easier, not only in knowing the law, but in the way it's enforced.
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The annoying thing is VA does have preemption. The VA legislature dropped the ball by making the wording of the statute vauge. Initially most localities believed fingerprinting was required. The state clarified it is not required but didn't make it not allowed either.

They state has the only authority to pass firearms laws but in this case they screwed up.
 
It's amazing how different VA is. I live in Wise County and only paid 15.00 + 2.50 to laminate it. It only took 21 days from application date, but I did have to pick it up!
 
I had to get fingerprinted in Henrico County,Va 2 years ago when I got my permit. Only part that was a pain was they don't mail your permit you have to go pick it up from the courthouse. They screwed up on the first one by printing my address wrong on it. So I had to wait about a month after that to finally get my permit and drive down there again.
 
9-3 you are lucky, ours you have to be there at the sherriff dept by noon and jail is open from 1-3 for fingerprinting.
 
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