What Do You Need for a Gun License in Virginia?
Until 2020, Virginia had some of the most liberal gun possession laws in the United States. That year, lawmakers passed a bundle of laws that greatly restricted gun-carrying abilities. These laws included some objective roadblocks, like a background check, and some subjective ones, such as a red flag law (of sorts). Furthermore, pretty much every legislative session, gun possession laws change, especially if the political winds blow in a different direction.
Because of all these changes, and all the changes to come, a Leesburg weapon crimes lawyer is an important partner in this process. No one likes unpleasant surprises, so no one wants to go through the gun license process only to see their applications denied at the last minute. Furthermore, if you’re facing illegal gun possession charges, a lawyer evaluates your case, identifies all possible defenses, and then fights for you.
Qualifying Steps
To carry a concealed handgun in Virginia, the applicant must be over 21 and demonstrate competency with a firearm by completing one of the following:
- State-approved hunter education or hunter safety course,
- Government- or police-sponsored gun safety course,
- NRA or the Department of Criminal Justice Services firearms safety course offered at a junior college, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school, or
- Any “adequate” course as defined by a course.
Alternatively, the applicant must hold a valid license issued by any Virginia municipality or other government unit or present evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition or current military service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services.
Special rules apply to nonresidents or Virginia residents who’ve lived in the state fewer than 180 days. Normally, authorities take about forty-five days to process and issue a permit that’s valid for five years.
You will be notified by mail 90 days before the permit expires. You can submit a renewal application up to 180 days after the permits expiry date.
Disqualifying Circumstances
As mentioned, some objective disqualifications include a felony conviction, prior confinement in a mental institution, and an active restraining order, a protective order, an emergency substantial risk order or substantial risk order.
Key subjective qualifications, and this is where you may need a Leesburg criminal defense lawyer, include no outstanding warrants and not be an individual who the court finds is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to endanger others.
If applicants have outstanding warrants, even outstanding traffic ticket warrants, an attorney must resolve the issue. Usually, lawyers can lift warrants and place these cases back on the court’s docket. These old cases are usually easy to defend. Frequently, the arresting officer, who’s generally the only witness, has left the force and moved on.
As for the dangerous individual designation, the Fourteenth Amendment requires notice and hearing. The notice must include the specific grounds for the petition. At the hearing, which must be public, an attorney must have an opportunity to advocate for the applicant.
Rely on a Dedicated Loudoun County Lawyer
There’s a big difference between an arrest and a conviction in criminal law. For a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Leesburg, contact Simms Showers, LLP, Attorneys at Law. Convenient payment plans are available.
Source:
everytownresearch.org/rankings/state/virginia/
