Concealed Handgun Permits

Concealed Handgun Permits

Certain persons may be issued permits to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The issuance of this permit is subject to a lengthy and rigorous application process and does not permit a firearm to be carried in any otherwise prohibited place. The owner of private property may prohibit the possession of concealed handguns on that property, and other laws may restrict other possession of concealed handguns (such as while in possession of or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs). A permit issued by the State of Tennessee or the State of West Virginia is valid in Virginia, and vice versa.

Concealed handgun permits granted by judges in Roanoke circuit court are fully searchable in the public records room of the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court on the third floor of the Roanoke City Courthouse.

Although a concealed handgun permit issued by any circuit court in Virginia is valid anywhere in Virginia, you must be a resident of the city of Roanoke to apply for a concealed handgun permit from the circuit court of the city of Roanoke.

For more detailed information on laws concerning handguns, visit the Virginia State Police.

The following information is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal advice or restate the law.
To receive a permit to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth of Virginia, carefully follow these steps, in this order:

1. Complete the Application for Concealed Handgun Permit (this link requires the free ) and return it to the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court with an application fee of $50 plus an additional $2 (for copies to take to the Police Academy) totaling $52. Thirty-five dollars of this fee goes to the Police Academy, $10 goes to the clerk of circuit court, and $5 goes to the Virginia State Police. The $50 fee is waived for certain retired law enforcement officers. Payment may be made by cash, personal check, certified check, money order or with a VISA or MASTERCARD debit/credit card. A receipt will be provided. Checks and money orders should be made out to "Clerk of Circuit Court."

Before you can be issued a permit, you must demonstrate competency to carry a handgun. Competency may be demonstrated by:
- Completing an approved hunter education or hunter safety course*
- Completing an approved firearms safety or training course
- Having participated in approved organized shooting competitions or military service
- Having previously held a valid license to carry a handgun in Virginia
  
  * Approved courses include those sanctioned by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the National Rifle Association, law enforcement agencies, colleges, professional academies and any other courses approved by the court.

You may be disqualified from applying for or being issued a concealed handgun permit. Some of the many reasons for disqualification include:
- Not being a resident of the jurisdiction of the circuit court to which you are applying
- Ineligibility to possess a firearm due to other federal or state laws (such as being under 21 years of age)
- Current incarceration or incarceration within the five years preceeding the application
- Being subject to a restraining order or protective order prohibiting possession of a firearm
- Having been convicted of a felony (or, if you are under 29, having been convicted of an offense between ages 14 and 18 that would have been a felony if committed as an adult)
- Having been convicted of two or more misdemeanors within the three years preceeding the application if one was a Class 1 misdemeanor (if none was a Class 1 misdemeanor, you may apply for a permit but the judge has the discretion to deny the application)
- Using, distributing or being addicted to marijuana or any controlled substance
- Having been convicted of driving while intoxicated or public drunkenness within the three years preceeding the application
- Having been determined to be a habitual drunkard
- Being an illegal alien
- Having been dishonorably discharged from the military
- Being a fugitive from justice
- Having been convicted of any assault or battery within the three years preceeding the application
- Having been convicted of stalking
  If you are disqualified, do not apply for a permit to carry a concealed handgun. Your application will not be processed.

2. Take your receipt and a copy of the application to the Roanoke City Police Academy, located at 5401 Barns Avenue. The Police Academy is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and may be reached at (540) 853-2649. You will be fingerprinted and required to sign a form permitting a criminal background check.

3. A circuit court judge will review your application. If you are granted a permit, you may pick it up in the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You must pick up your permit in person and must produce a photo identification card issued by a government agency (eg. driver's license). If your permit is denied, you may appeal within 30 days to the Virginia Court of Appeals.