A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.06 of the Code of Virginia, relating to nonresident concealed handgun permits.
HB1303 amends Virginia law governing nonresident concealed handgun permits. The bill keeps the existing framework allowing nonresidents age 21 and older to apply to the Virginia Department of State Police for a five-year concealed handgun permit, but it restates and organizes the application requirements, including photo identification, photographs, fingerprints, a criminal history check, and proof of handgun competence. It also preserves the Department’s authority to revoke a permit if the holder is later found disqualified.
The bill specifies multiple ways an applicant may demonstrate handgun competence, including approved hunter safety courses, NRA or USCCA training, law-enforcement or firearms instructor courses, military service or honorable discharge, prior Virginia carry licensure, firearms competition, or other training deemed adequate by State Police. It also authorizes the Department to charge a fee up to $100, requires issuance within 90 days of a completed application unless the applicant is disqualified, limits the information printed on the permit, and directs the Superintendent to adopt implementing regulations.
HB1303 would amend § 18.2-308.06 of the Code of Virginia, affecting the rules and administrative process for nonresident concealed handgun permits. It would continue to place permit administration with the Virginia Department of State Police, preserve background-check and fingerprinting requirements, and maintain the five-year permit structure while clarifying acceptable training and documentation standards for applicants. The bill primarily affects nonresident gun owners seeking to carry concealed handguns in Virginia and the State Police agency responsible for processing and issuing permits.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded vote, and the bill was left in the House Committee on Public Safety. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be a pro-permit, gun-rights-oriented measure that would streamline and reaffirm the process for nonresident concealed carry applicants. Because there is no recorded debate in the provided materials, there is no direct evidence of support or opposition beyond its referral and failure to advance out of committee.
The main policy issues likely involve firearms regulation, especially whether Virginia should continue to make concealed carry permits available to nonresidents and how broad the acceptable proof of handgun competence should be. Potential points of contention include the $100 fee cap, the 90-day issuance deadline, the scope of discretion given to State Police to deem other training adequate, and the balance between public safety screening and access for lawful gun owners. No specific opposing or supporting arguments are provided in the record.