How To Get Your Virginia Concealed Carry Permit

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Reside in the county in which the application is submitted;
• Demonstrate competence with a handgun;
• Be an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;
• Not have been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States;
• Not be a fugitive from justice;
• Not be ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to Section 18.2-308.1:1, 18.2-308.1:2, 18.2-308.1:3, 18.2-308.1:6, 18.2-308.1:7, 18.2-308.1:8 or a similar law of any other state;
• Not be ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to Section 18.2-308.1:1 and who was discharged from the custody of the Commissioner less than 5 years before the date of this application;
• Not be ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to Section 18.2-308.1:2 and whose competency or capacity was restored less than 5 years before the date of this application;
• Not be ineligible to possess a firearm under Section 18.2-308.1:3 and who was released from commitment less than 5 years before the date of this application;
• Not be subject to a restraining order, a protective order, an emergency substantial risk order or substantial risk order and prohibited by Section 18.2-308.1:4 or Section 18.2-308.1:6 from purchasing or transporting a firearm;
• Not be prohibited by Section 18.2-308.2 from possessing or transporting a firearm, except that a permit may be obtained in accordance with subsection C of that section;
• Not have been convicted of two or more misdemeanors within the 5-year period immediately preceding the application, if one of the misdemeanors was a Class 1 misdemeanor, but the judge shall have the discretion to deny a permit for two or more misdemeanors that are not Class 1;
• Not be addicted to, or an unlawful user or distributor of, marijuana or any controlled substance;
• Not have been convicted of a violation of Section 18.2-266 or a substantially similar local ordinance, or of public drunkenness, anywhere in the United States, or its territories within the 3-year period immediately preceding the application;
• Not be an individual who the court finds is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to endanger others (The sheriff, chief of police, or attorney for the Commonwealth may submit to the court a sworn written statement indicating that the applicant is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to endanger others. The statement shall be based upon personal knowledge of such individual or of the specific acts);
• Not have been convicted of, or have a charge pending of any assault, assault and battery, sexual battery, discharging of a firearm in violation of Section 18.2-280, Section 18.2-286.1 or brandishing of a firearm within the 3-year period preceding the application;
• Not be an individual who has been convicted of, or have a charge pending of stalking;
• Not be an individual whose previous convictions or adjudications of delinquency were based on an offense which would have been at the time of conviction a felony if committed by an adult;
• Not have received mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in a residential setting within 5 years of this application;
• Not be otherwise ineligible pursuant to this section, who, within the 3-year period prior to the application, found guilty of any criminal offense set forth in Section 18.2-247 or of a criminal offense of illegal possession or distribution of marijuana or any controlled substance;
• Not have been found guilty of any criminal offense set forth in Section 18.2-247 or a charge of illegal possession or distribution of marijuana or any controlled substance, or a substantially similar law of any other state within the 3-year period immediately preceding the application; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

In addition, as of July 1, 2021:

• Any person enrolled into the Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List pursuant to Chapter 12 (§ 52-50 et seq.).

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Virginia.