VERSION EN ESPAÑOL HAGA CLICK AQUÍ
What Happened?: With an amendment to Virginia law that passed last year (as House Bill 264 and Senate Bill 263) and which went into effect on January 1, 2021, the steps to obtain a Concealed Carry Permit in or around Henrico, Virginia (or to obtain a Virginia concealed carry permit anywhere outside Henrico, Virginia) have changed!
No meaningful changes or restrictions on the right to carry a firearm or other weapon in a concealed fashion in Virginia have taken place, but changes to the Virginia concealed carry permit procedure have occurred.
The new law (codified here) no longer allows the use of a Virtual Online or Video Course to demonstrate competence with a handgun. Previously, the law allowed applicants for a Concealed Carry Permit to demonstrate competence by taking a virtual course.
Why it matters to you: The amended law means, put plainly, that the online course grandma paid for you to get as a 2020 Christmas gift, while it may be helpful and informative, is not going to pass muster when it comes time to petition the Henrico County Circuit Court for your Concealed Carry Permit. After January 1, 2021, you need to take an in-person course with a certified instructor to get licensed for a Concealed Carry Permit.
So what now?: Be weary of any online service that promises its virtual courses are “approved to demonstrate firearms competence for Virginia Concealed Carry Permits”—no virtual course can promise that after the first of this year, and you could end up wasting your money on something that fails to meet the mark (pun intended).
Instead, look for a local outfit that provides Concealed Carry Permit courses in-person—I recommend Green Top as a resource for the in-person class; their Firearms Range offers an ideal scenario for beginners and experienced shooters alike to hone their craft and learn a little bit about their weapons and the safe use and maintenance thereof.
What if I need help completing the process and filling out the forms?: The process of applying for a Concealed Carry Permit in Henrico, Virginia (or obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit in any County or City across the Commonwealth, including the Counties of Hanover, Chesterfield, Powhatan, New Kent, King William and beyond) is pretty straightforward, but there are still a few tricky areas even once you have all the work done. If you’d like to hire a professional to help you navigate the waters, E-mail me, Call me at (804) 250-8911 or fill out the form available here.
What if I can’t own a firearm?: If you’ve lost the right to own a firearm in Virginia and would like to explore your options to be reinstated, E-mail me, Call me at (804) 250-8911 or fill out the form available here. I’d love to help you restore your gun rights if I can.
TL; DR: YOU CAN NO LONGER USE A VIRTUAL COURSE TO SATISFY THE COMPETENCE REQUIREMENT FOR A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT IN VIRGINIA
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