Virginia Firearm Registering Procedures
In Virginia, you don’t have to get a permit to sell, purchase a firearm, or present a gun as a gift, but the law requires that a buyer should have a legal right to possess it. You don’t need to register a firearm, but you are to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon.
To prove a change of proprietorship, you are also to provide the Concealed Carry Weapon License along with a Bill of Sale Form. If you don’t have one, you can apply for it in any local sheriff’s office. Keep in mind that the Virginia CCW license is valid for only five years after obtaining a permit, so you will have to renew it every five years to ensure safety for other living beings around you. The procedure is not very complex, but there are several requirements that you are obliged to meet:
- You can obtain a license if you have reached the age of 21 and are of sound mind;
- If you are not a resident of the state, it is necessary to fill out an application form (Form SP-248). It is four pages long and requires that individuals provide personal information, including their full name, address, physical features, date of birth, phone number, and proof of U.S. citizenship. An applicant must also indicate details regarding any charges against them or criminal history, drug or alcohol addiction, mental health treatment, and other information required by the Virginia State Police;
- You are also to provide any completed training course approved by the Virginia Department of State Police. A certificate must be signed by representatives of an organization that conducted the course. You can make a photocopy of the document and submit it to the office;
- Do not forget to obtain your Fingerprint Card. You can get your fingerprint impressions in any organization, either public or private, approved by a law enforcement agency.
- Another requirement is the submission of your photo and ID. On the official website of the Virginia State Police, there is a list of specific requirements regarding your photograph (size, color, etc.) Do not make a photocopy of the photograph. Submit only the original photo.
- Be ready to pay application fees.
If you don’t satisfy any of the requirements mentioned above, your application form will be returned to you. The procedure can take a few months.
Although you have obtained a permit to carry a concealed weapon, be aware of the fact that there are places in which the law prohibits concealment of a firearm. According to the Code of Virginia, if a permittee shows any prohibited behavior, the CCW license will be revoked and considered invalid.