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2013 SESSION
13100666DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 16.1-260, 17.1-406, 18.2-57.3, 18.2-287.01, 18.2-308, 18.2-311, 19.2-83.1, 19.2-120.1, 19.2-386.27, 19.2-386.28, and 24.2-643 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 an article numbered 6.1, consisting of sections numbered 18.2-307.1 through 18.2-308.015, as follows:
§ 16.1-260. Intake; petition; investigation.
A. All matters alleged to be within the jurisdiction of the court shall be commenced by the filing of a petition, except as provided in subsection H and in § 16.1-259. The form and content of the petition shall be as provided in § 16.1-262. No individual shall be required to obtain support services from the Department of Social Services prior to filing a petition seeking support for a child. Complaints, requests and the processing of petitions to initiate a case shall be the responsibility of the intake officer. However, (i) the attorney for the Commonwealth of the city or county may file a petition on his own motion with the clerk, (ii) designated nonattorney employees of the Department of Social Services may complete, sign and file petitions and motions relating to the establishment, modification, or enforcement of support on forms approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia with the clerk, and (iii) any attorney may file petitions on behalf of his client with the clerk except petitions alleging that the subject of the petition is a child alleged to be in need of services, in need of supervision or delinquent. Complaints alleging abuse or neglect of a child shall be referred initially to the local department of social services in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 15 (§ 63.2-1500 et seq.) of Title 63.2. Motions and other subsequent pleadings in a case shall be filed directly with the clerk. The intake officer or clerk with whom the petition or motion is filed shall inquire whether the petitioner is receiving child support services or public assistance. No individual who is receiving support services or public assistance shall be denied the right to file a petition or motion to establish, modify or enforce an order for support of a child. If the petitioner is seeking or receiving child support services or public assistance, the clerk, upon issuance of process, shall forward a copy of the petition or motion, together with notice of the court date, to the Division of Child Support Enforcement.
B. The appearance of a child before an intake officer may be by (i) personal appearance before the intake officer or (ii) use of two-way electronic video and audio communication. If two-way electronic video and audio communication is used, an intake officer may exercise all powers conferred by law. All communications and proceedings shall be conducted in the same manner as if the appearance were in person, and any documents filed may be transmitted by facsimile process. The facsimile may be served or executed by the officer or person to whom sent, and returned in the same manner, and with the same force, effect, authority, and liability as an original document. All signatures thereon shall be treated as original signatures. Any two-way electronic video and audio communication system used for an appearance shall meet the standards as set forth in subsection B of § 19.2-3.1.
When the court service unit of any court receives a complaint alleging facts which may be sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the court pursuant to § 16.1-241, the unit, through an intake officer, may proceed informally to make such adjustment as is practicable without the filing of a petition or may authorize a petition to be filed by any complainant having sufficient knowledge of the matter to establish probable cause for the issuance of the petition.
An intake officer may proceed informally on a complaint alleging a child is in need of services, in need of supervision or delinquent only if the juvenile (i) is not alleged to have committed a violent juvenile felony or (ii) has not previously been proceeded against informally or adjudicated delinquent for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult. A petition alleging that a juvenile committed a violent juvenile felony shall be filed with the court. A petition alleging that a juvenile is delinquent for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult shall be filed with the court if the juvenile had previously been proceeded against informally by intake or had been adjudicated delinquent for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult.
If a juvenile is alleged to be a truant pursuant to a complaint filed in accordance with § 22.1-258 and the attendance officer has provided documentation to the intake officer that the relevant school division has complied with the provisions of § 22.1-258, then the intake officer shall file a petition with the court. The intake officer may defer filing the complaint for 90 days and proceed informally by developing a truancy plan. The intake officer may proceed informally only if the juvenile has not previously been proceeded against informally or adjudicated in need of supervision for failure to comply with compulsory school attendance as provided in § 22.1-254. The juvenile and his parent or parents, guardian or other person standing in loco parentis must agree, in writing, for the development of a truancy plan. The truancy plan may include requirements that the juvenile and his parent or parents, guardian or other person standing in loco parentis participate in such programs, cooperate in such treatment or be subject to such conditions and limitations as necessary to ensure the juvenile's compliance with compulsory school attendance as provided in § 22.1-254. The intake officer may refer the juvenile to the appropriate public agency for the purpose of developing a truancy plan using an interagency interdisciplinary team approach. The team may include qualified personnel who are reasonably available from the appropriate department of social services, community services board, local school division, court service unit and other appropriate and available public and private agencies and may be the family assessment and planning team established pursuant to § 2.2-5207. If at the end of the 90-day period the juvenile has not successfully completed the truancy plan or the truancy program, then the intake officer shall file the petition.
Whenever informal action is taken as provided in this subsection on a complaint alleging that a child is in need of services, in need of supervision or delinquent, the intake officer shall (i) develop a plan for the juvenile, which may include restitution and the performance of community service, based upon community resources and the circumstances which resulted in the complaint, (ii) create an official record of the action taken by the intake officer and file such record in the juvenile's case file, and (iii) advise the juvenile and the juvenile's parent, guardian or other person standing in loco parentis and the complainant that any subsequent complaint alleging that the child is in need of supervision or delinquent based upon facts which may be sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the court pursuant to § 16.1-241 will result in the filing of a petition with the court.
C. The intake officer shall accept and file a petition in which it is alleged that (i) the custody, visitation or support of a child is the subject of controversy or requires determination, (ii) a person has deserted, abandoned or failed to provide support for any person in violation of law, (iii) a child or such child's parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis is entitled to treatment, rehabilitation or other services which are required by law, (iv) family abuse has occurred and a protective order is being sought pursuant to § 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, or 16.1-279.1, or (v) an act of violence, force, or threat has occurred, a protective order is being sought pursuant to § 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9, or 19.2-152.10, and either the alleged victim or the respondent is a juvenile. If any such complainant does not file a petition, the intake officer may file it. In cases in which a child is alleged to be abused, neglected, in need of services, in need of supervision or delinquent, if the intake officer believes that probable cause does not exist, or that the authorization of a petition will not be in the best interest of the family or juvenile or that the matter may be effectively dealt with by some agency other than the court, he may refuse to authorize the filing of a petition. The intake officer shall provide to a person seeking a protective order pursuant to § 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, or 16.1-279.1 a written explanation of the conditions, procedures and time limits applicable to the issuance of protective orders pursuant to § 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, or 16.1-279.1. If the person is seeking a protective order pursuant to § 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9, or 19.2-152.10, the intake officer shall provide a written explanation of the conditions, procedures, and time limits applicable to the issuance of protective orders pursuant to § 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9, or 19.2-152.10.
D. Prior to the filing of any petition alleging that a child is in need of supervision, the matter shall be reviewed by an intake officer who shall determine whether the petitioner and the child alleged to be in need of supervision have utilized or attempted to utilize treatment and services available in the community and have exhausted all appropriate nonjudicial remedies which are available to them. When the intake officer determines that the parties have not attempted to utilize available treatment or services or have not exhausted all appropriate nonjudicial remedies which are available, he shall refer the petitioner and the child alleged to be in need of supervision to the appropriate agency, treatment facility or individual to receive treatment or services, and a petition shall not be filed. Only after the intake officer determines that the parties have made a reasonable effort to utilize available community treatment or services may he permit the petition to be filed.
E. If the intake officer refuses to authorize a petition relating to an offense that if committed by an adult would be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor or as a felony, the complainant shall be notified in writing at that time of the complainant's right to apply to a magistrate for a warrant. If a magistrate determines that probable cause exists, he shall issue a warrant returnable to the juvenile and domestic relations district court. The warrant shall be delivered forthwith to the juvenile court, and the intake officer shall accept and file a petition founded upon the warrant. If the court is closed and the magistrate finds that the criteria for detention or shelter care set forth in § 16.1-248.1 have been satisfied, the juvenile may be detained pursuant to the warrant issued in accordance with this subsection. If the intake officer refuses to authorize a petition relating to a child in need of services or in need of supervision, a status offense, or a misdemeanor other than Class 1, his decision is final.
Upon delivery to the juvenile court of a warrant issued pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 16.1-256, the intake officer shall accept and file a petition founded upon the warrant.
F. The intake officer shall notify the attorney for the Commonwealth of the filing of any petition which alleges facts of an offense which would be a felony if committed by an adult.
G. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 12 (§ 16.1-299 et seq.), the intake officer shall file a report with the division superintendent of the school division in which any student who is the subject of a petition alleging that such student who is a juvenile has committed an act, wherever committed, which would be a crime if committed by an adult, or that such student who is an adult has committed a crime and is alleged to be within the jurisdiction of the court. The report shall notify the division superintendent of the filing of the petition and the nature of the offense, if the violation involves:
1. A firearm offense pursuant to Article 4 (§ 18.2-279 et
seq.), 5 (§ 18.2-288 et seq.), 6 (§ 18.2-299 et seq.), 6.1 (§ 18.2-307.1 et seq.), or
7 (§ 18.2-308 18.2-308.1 et seq.) of Chapter
7 of Title 18.2;
2. Homicide, pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-30 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2;
3. Felonious assault and bodily wounding, pursuant to Article 4 (§ 18.2-51 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2;
4. Criminal sexual assault, pursuant to Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2;
5. Manufacture, sale, gift, distribution or possession of Schedule I or II controlled substances, pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2;
6. Manufacture, sale or distribution of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2;
7. Arson and related crimes, pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-77 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2;
8. Burglary and related offenses, pursuant to §§ 18.2-89 through 18.2-93;
9. Robbery pursuant to § 18.2-58;
10. Prohibited criminal street gang activity pursuant to § 18.2-46.2;
11. Recruitment of other juveniles for a criminal street gang activity pursuant to § 18.2-46.3; or
12. An act of violence by a mob pursuant to § 18.2-42.1.
The failure to provide information regarding the school in which the student who is the subject of the petition may be enrolled shall not be grounds for refusing to file a petition.
The information provided to a division superintendent pursuant to this section may be disclosed only as provided in § 16.1-305.2.
H. The filing of a petition shall not be necessary:
1. In the case of violations of the traffic laws, including offenses involving bicycles, hitchhiking and other pedestrian offenses, game and fish laws or a violation of the ordinance of any city regulating surfing or any ordinance establishing curfew violations, animal control violations or littering violations. In such cases the court may proceed on a summons issued by the officer investigating the violation in the same manner as provided by law for adults. Additionally, an officer investigating a motor vehicle accident may, at the scene of the accident or at any other location where a juvenile who is involved in such an accident may be located, proceed on a summons in lieu of filing a petition.
2. In the case of seeking consent to apply for the issuance of a work permit pursuant to subsection H of § 16.1-241.
3. In the case of a misdemeanor violation of § 18.2-250.1, 18.2-266, 18.2-266.1, or 29.1-738, or the commission of any other alcohol-related offense, provided the juvenile is released to the custody of a parent or legal guardian pending the initial court date. The officer releasing a juvenile to the custody of a parent or legal guardian shall issue a summons to the juvenile and shall also issue a summons requiring the parent or legal guardian to appear before the court with the juvenile. Disposition of the charge shall be in the manner provided in § 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.8:01, or 16.1-278.9. If the juvenile so charged with a violation of § 18.2-51.4, 18.2-266, 18.2-266.1, 18.2-272, or 29.1-738 refuses to provide a sample of blood or breath or samples of both blood and breath for chemical analysis pursuant to §§ 18.2-268.1 through 18.2-268.12 or 29.1-738.2, the provisions of these sections shall be followed except that the magistrate shall authorize execution of the warrant as a summons. The summons shall be served on a parent or legal guardian and the juvenile, and a copy of the summons shall be forwarded to the court in which the violation is to be tried. When a violation of § 18.2-250.1 is charged by summons, the juvenile shall be entitled to have the charge referred to intake for consideration of informal proceedings pursuant to subsection B, provided such right is exercised by written notification to the clerk not later than 10 days prior to trial. At the time such summons alleging a violation of § 18.2-250.1 is served, the officer shall also serve upon the juvenile written notice of the right to have the charge referred to intake on a form approved by the Supreme Court and make return of such service to the court. If the officer fails to make such service or return, the court shall dismiss the summons without prejudice.
4. In the case of offenses which, if committed by an adult, would be punishable as a Class 3 or Class 4 misdemeanor. In such cases the court may direct that an intake officer proceed as provided in § 16.1-237 on a summons issued by the officer investigating the violation in the same manner as provided by law for adults provided that notice of the summons to appear is mailed by the investigating officer within five days of the issuance of the summons to a parent or legal guardian of the juvenile.
I. Failure to comply with the procedures set forth in this section shall not divest the juvenile court of the jurisdiction granted it in § 16.1-241.
§ 17.1-406. Petitions for appeal; cases over which Court of Appeals does not have jurisdiction.
A. Any aggrieved party may present a petition for appeal to
the Court of Appeals from (i) any final conviction in a circuit court of a
traffic infraction or a crime, except where a sentence of death has been imposed,
(ii) any final decision of a circuit court on an application for a concealed
weapons permit pursuant to subsection D
of § 18.2-308 Article 6.1
(§ 18.2-307.1 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (iii)
any final order of a circuit court involving involuntary treatment of prisoners
pursuant to § 53.1-40.1, or (iv) any final order for declaratory or injunctive
relief under § 57-2.02. The Commonwealth or any county, city or town may
petition the Court of Appeals for an appeal pursuant to this subsection in any
case in which such party previously could have petitioned the Supreme Court for
a writ of error under § 19.2-317. The Commonwealth may also petition the Court
of Appeals for an appeal in a criminal case pursuant to § 19.2-398.
B. In accordance with other applicable provisions of law, appeals lie directly to the Supreme Court from a conviction in which a sentence of death is imposed, from a final decision, judgment or order of a circuit court involving a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, from any final finding, decision, order, or judgment of the State Corporation Commission, and from proceedings under §§ 54.1-3935 and 54.1-3937. Complaints of the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission shall be filed with the Supreme Court of Virginia. The Court of Appeals shall not have jurisdiction over any cases or proceedings described in this subsection.
§ 18.2-57.3. Persons charged with first offense of assault and battery against a family or household member may be placed on local community-based probation; conditions; education and treatment programs; costs and fees; violations; discharge.
A. When a person is charged with a violation of § 18.2-57.2, the court may defer the proceedings against such person, without a finding of guilt, and place him on probation under the terms of this section.
B. For a person to be eligible for such deferral, the court shall find that (i) the person was an adult at the time of the commission of the offense, (ii) the person has not previously been convicted of any offense under this article or under any statute of the United States or of any state or any ordinance of any local government relating to assault and battery against a family or household member, (iii) the person has not previously had a proceeding against him for violation of such an offense dismissed as provided in this section, (iv) the person pleads guilty to, or enters a plea of not guilty or nolo contendere and the court finds the evidence is sufficient to find the person guilty of, a violation of § 18.2-57.2, and (v) the person consents to such deferral.
C. The court may (i) where a local community-based probation services agency established pursuant to Article 9 (§ 9.1-173 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 is available, order that the eligible person be placed with such agency and require, as a condition of local community-based probation, the person to successfully complete all treatment, education programs or services, or any combination thereof indicated by an assessment or evaluation obtained by the local community-based probation services agency if such assessment, treatment or education services are available; or (ii) require successful completion of treatment, education programs or services, or any combination thereof, such as, in the opinion of the court, may be best suited to the needs of the person.
D. The court shall require the person entering such education or treatment program or services under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the program or services, including the costs of any assessment, evaluation, testing, education and treatment, based upon the person's ability to pay. Such programs or services shall offer a sliding-scale fee structure or other mechanism to assist participants who are unable to pay the full costs of the required programs or services.
The court shall order the person to be of good behavior for a total period of not less than two years following the deferral of proceedings, including the period of supervised probation, if available.
The court shall, unless done at arrest, order the person to report to the original arresting law-enforcement agency to submit to fingerprinting.
E. Upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions specified in the court order, the court shall discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against him. Discharge and dismissal under this section shall be without adjudication of guilt and is a conviction only for the purposes of applying this section in subsequent proceedings. No charges dismissed pursuant to this section shall be eligible for expungement under § 19.2-392.2.
F. Upon violation of a term or condition of supervised probation or of the period of good behavior, the court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided by law.
G. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
whenever a court places a person on probation upon terms and conditions
pursuant to this section, such action shall be treated as a conviction for
purposes of § 18.2-308 Article 6.1 (§ 18.2-307.1 et seq.) of Chapter 7.
§ 18.2-287.01. Carrying weapon in air carrier airport terminal.
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or transport
into any air carrier airport terminal in the Commonwealth any (i) gun or other
weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind, (ii)
frame, receiver, muffler, silencer, missile, projectile or ammunition designed
for use with a dangerous weapon, and (iii) any other dangerous weapon,
including explosives, stun weapons as defined in § 18.2-308.1, and those
weapons specified in subsection A of § 18.2-308. Any such weapon shall be
subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer. A violation of this section is
punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any weapon possessed or transported in
violation of this section shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth and disposed
of as provided in subsection A
of § 18.2-308 § 19.2-386.28.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any police officer, sheriff, law-enforcement agent or official, or conservation police officer, or conservator of the peace employed by the air carrier airport, nor shall the provisions of this section apply to any passenger of an airline who, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, transports a lawful firearm, weapon, or ammunition into or out of an air carrier airport terminal for the sole purposes, respectively, of (i) presenting such firearm, weapon, or ammunition to U.S. Customs agents in advance of an international flight, in order to comply with federal law, (ii) checking such firearm, weapon, or ammunition with his luggage, or (iii) retrieving such firearm, weapon, or ammunition from the baggage claim area.
Any other statute, rule, regulation, or ordinance specifically addressing the possession or transportation of weapons in any airport in the Commonwealth shall be invalid, and this section shall control.
§ 18.2-307.1. Definitions.
As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Ballistic knife" means any knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism.
"Handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm, except a machine gun, originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand.
"Law-enforcement
officer" means those individuals defined as a law-enforcement officer in §
9.1-101, law-enforcement agents of the armed forces of the United States, and the Naval
Criminal Investigative Service, and federal agents who are otherwise authorized
to carry weapons by federal law. "Law-enforcement officer" also means any sworn full-time law-enforcement officer
employed by a law-enforcement agency of the United States or any state or
political subdivision thereof, whose duties are substantially similar to those
set forth in § 9.1-101.
"Lawfully admitted for permanent residence" means the status of having been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws, such status not having changed.
"Personal knowledge" means knowledge of a fact that a person has himself gained through his own senses, or knowledge that was gained by a law-enforcement officer or prosecutor through the performance of his official duties.
"Spring
stick" means a spring-loaded metal stick activated by pushing a button which that rapidly and
forcefully telescopes the weapon to several times its original length.
§ 18.2-308. Carrying concealed weapons; exceptions; penalty.
A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common
observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to
propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible
material; (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife,
machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any
flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a
manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka,
nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever
configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed
to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental
dart; or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he shall be is guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor. A second violation of this section or a conviction under this
section subsequent to any conviction under any substantially similar ordinance
of any county, city, or town shall be punishable as a Class 6 felony, and a
third or subsequent such violation shall be punishable as a Class 5 felony. For
the purpose of this section, a weapon shall be deemed to be hidden from common
observation when it is observable but is of such deceptive appearance as to
disguise the weapon's true nature. It shall be an affirmative defense to a
violation of clause (i) regarding a handgun, that a person had been issued, at
the time of the offense, a valid concealed handgun permit.
B. This section shall not apply to any person while in his own place of abode or the curtilage thereof.
C. Except
as provided in subsection J1 A of § 18.2-308.012, this
section shall not apply to:
1. Any person while in his own place of business;
2. Any law-enforcement officer, wherever such law-enforcement officer may travel in the Commonwealth;
3. Any person who is at, or going to or from, an established shooting range, provided that the weapons are unloaded and securely wrapped while being transported;
4. Any regularly enrolled member of a weapons collecting organization who is at, or going to or from, a bona fide weapons exhibition, provided that the weapons are unloaded and securely wrapped while being transported;
5. Any person carrying such weapons between his place of abode and a place of purchase or repair, provided the weapons are unloaded and securely wrapped while being transported;
6. Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting, as authorized by the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, under inclement weather conditions necessitating temporary protection of his firearm from those conditions, provided that possession of a handgun while engaged in lawful hunting shall not be construed as hunting with a handgun if the person hunting is carrying a valid concealed handgun permit;
7. Any State Police officer retired from the Department of
State Police, any officer retired from the Division of Capitol Police, any
local law-enforcement officer, auxiliary police officer or animal control
officer retired from a police department or sheriff's office within the
Commonwealth, any special agent retired from the State Corporation Commission
or the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, any conservation police officer
retired from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, any Virginia Marine
Police officer retired from the Law Enforcement Division of the Virginia Marine
Resources Commission, and any campus police officer appointed under Chapter 17
(§ 23-232 et seq.) of Title 23 retired from a campus police department, other
than an officer or agent terminated for cause, (i) with a service-related
disability; (ii) following at least 15 years of service with any such
law-enforcement agency, board or any combination thereof; (iii) who has reached
55 years of age; or (iv) who is on long-term leave from such law-enforcement
agency or board due to a service-related injury, provided such officer carries
with him written proof of consultation with and favorable review of the need to
carry a concealed handgun issued by the chief law-enforcement officer of the
last such agency from which the officer retired or the agency that employs the
officer or, in the case of special agents, issued by the State Corporation
Commission or the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. A copy of the proof of
consultation and favorable review shall be forwarded by the chief or the Board
to the Department of State Police for entry into the Virginia Criminal
Information Network. The chief law-enforcement officer shall not without cause
withhold such written proof if the retired law-enforcement officer otherwise
meets the requirements of this section. An officer set forth in clause (iv) of this subdivision who
receives written proof of consultation to carry a concealed handgun shall
surrender such proof of consultation upon return to work or upon termination of
employment with the law-enforcement agency. Notice of the surrender shall be
forwarded to the Department of State Police for entry into the Virginia
Criminal Information Network. However, if such officer retires on disability
because of the service-related injury, and would be eligible under clause (i) of this subdivision for written
proof of consultation to carry a concealed handgun, he may retain the
previously issued written proof of consultation. A retired law-enforcement
officer who receives proof of consultation and favorable review pursuant to
this subdivision is authorized to carry a concealed handgun in the same manner
as a law-enforcement officer authorized to carry a concealed handgun pursuant
to subdivision 2.
7a. Any person who is eligible for retirement with at least 20 years of service with a law-enforcement agency or board mentioned in subdivision 7 who has resigned in good standing from such law-enforcement agency or board to accept a position covered by a retirement system that is authorized under Title 51.1, provided such person carries with him written proof of consultation with and favorable review of the need to carry a concealed handgun issued by the chief law-enforcement officer of the agency from which he resigned or, in the case of special agents, issued by the State Corporation Commission or the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. A copy of the proof of consultation and favorable review shall be forwarded by the chief, Board or Commission to the Department of State Police for entry into the Virginia Criminal Information Network. The chief law-enforcement officer shall not without cause withhold such written proof if the law-enforcement officer otherwise meets the requirements of this section.
For purposes of applying the reciprocity provisions of subsection P § 18.2-308.014, any person
granted the privilege to carry a concealed handgun pursuant to subdivision 7 or
this subdivision, while carrying the proof of consultation and favorable review
required, shall be deemed to have been issued a concealed handgun permit.
For purposes of complying with the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, a retired or resigned law-enforcement officer who receives proof of consultation and review pursuant to subdivision 7 or this subdivision shall have the opportunity to annually participate, at the retired or resigned law-enforcement officer's expense, in the same training and testing to carry firearms as is required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth. If such retired or resigned law-enforcement officer meets the training and qualification standards, the chief law-enforcement officer shall issue the retired or resigned officer certification, valid one year from the date of issuance, indicating that the retired or resigned officer has met the standards of the agency to carry a firearm;
8. Any State Police officer who is a member of the organized reserve forces of any of the armed services of the United States, national guard, or naval militia, while such officer is called to active military duty, provided such officer carries with him written proof of consultation with and favorable review of the need to carry a concealed handgun issued by the Superintendent of State Police. The proof of consultation and favorable review shall be valid as long as the officer is on active military duty and shall expire when the officer returns to active law-enforcement duty. The issuance of the proof of consultation and favorable review shall be entered into the Virginia Criminal Information Network. The Superintendent of State Police shall not without cause withhold such written proof if the officer is in good standing and is qualified to carry a weapon while on active law-enforcement duty.
For purposes of applying the reciprocity provisions of subsection P § 18.2-308.014, any person
granted the privilege to carry a concealed handgun pursuant to this
subdivision, while carrying the proof of consultation and favorable review
required, shall be deemed to have been issued a concealed handgun permit;
9. Any attorney for the Commonwealth or assistant attorney for the Commonwealth, wherever such attorney may travel in the Commonwealth;
10. Any person who may lawfully possess a firearm and is carrying a handgun while in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel and such handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel; and
11. Any enrolled participant of a firearms training course who is at, or going to or from, a training location, provided that the weapons are unloaded and securely wrapped while being transported.
C. D. This section shall also not
apply to any of the following individuals while in the discharge of their
official duties, or while in transit to or from such duties:
1. Carriers of the United States mail;
2. Officers or guards of any state correctional institution;
3. [Repealed.]
4. Conservators
of the peace, except that an attorney for the Commonwealth or assistant
attorney for the Commonwealth may carry a concealed handgun pursuant to
subdivision B C 9. However, the following conservators of the peace shall
not be permitted to carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit as
provided in subsection D
hereof this article:
(a) (i) notaries public; (b) (ii) registrars; (c) (iii) drivers, operators or
other persons in charge of any motor vehicle carrier of passengers for hire; or
(d) (iv) commissioners in chancery;
5. 4. Noncustodial employees of
the Department of Corrections designated to carry weapons by the Director of
the Department of Corrections pursuant to § 53.1-29; and
6. 5. Harbormaster of the City of
Hopewell.
D. Any person
21 years of age or older may apply in writing to the clerk of the circuit court
of the county or city in which he resides, or if he is a member of the United
States Armed Forces, the county or city in which he is domiciled, for a
five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun. There shall be no requirement
regarding the length of time an applicant has been a resident or domiciliary of
the county or city. The application shall be made under oath before a notary or
other person qualified to take oaths and shall be made only on a form
prescribed by the Department of State Police, in consultation with the Supreme
Court, requiring only that information necessary to determine eligibility for
the permit. No information
or documentation other than that which is allowed on the application in
accordance with this subsection may be requested or required by the clerk or
the court. The clerk shall enter on the application the date
on which the application and all other information required to be submitted by
the applicant is received. The court
shall consult with either the sheriff or police department of the county or
city and receive a report from the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The court shall issue the permit via United States
mail and notify the State Police of the issuance of the permit within 45 days
of receipt of the completed application unless it is determined that the
applicant is disqualified. A court may
authorize the clerk to issue concealed handgun permits, without judicial
review, to applicants who have submitted complete applications, for whom the
criminal history records check does not indicate a disqualification and, after
consulting with either the sheriff or police department of the county or city,
about which there are no outstanding questions or issues concerning the
application. The court clerk shall be immune from suit arising from any acts or
omissions relating to the issuance of concealed handgun permits without
judicial review pursuant to this section unless the clerk was grossly negligent
or engaged in willful misconduct. This subsection shall not be construed to
limit, withdraw, or overturn any defense or immunity already existing in
statutory or common law, or to affect any cause of action accruing prior to
July 1, 2010. Upon denial of
the application, the clerk shall provide the person with notice, in writing, of
his right to an ore tenus hearing. Upon request
of the applicant made within 21 days, the court shall place the matter on the
docket for an ore tenus hearing. The applicant may be represented by counsel,
but counsel shall not be appointed, and the rules of evidence shall apply. The
final order of the court shall include the court's findings of fact and
conclusions of law. Any order
denying issuance of the permit shall state the basis for the denial of the
permit and the applicant's right to and the requirements for perfecting an
appeal of such order pursuant to subsection L. Only a circuit
court judge may deny issuance of a permit. An application
is deemed complete when all information required to be furnished by the
applicant is delivered to and received by the clerk of court before or
concomitant with the conduct of a state or national criminal history records
check. If the court has not issued the permit or
determined that the applicant is disqualified within 45 days of the date of
receipt noted on the application, the clerk shall certify on the application
that the 45-day period has expired, and mail or send via electronic mail a copy
of the certified application to the applicant within five business days of the
expiration of the 45-day period. The certified application shall serve as a de
facto permit, which shall expire 90 days after issuance, and shall be
recognized as a valid concealed handgun permit when presented with a valid
government-issued photo identification pursuant to subsection H, until the
court issues a five-year permit or finds the applicant to be disqualified. If
the applicant is found to be disqualified after the de facto permit is issued,
the applicant shall surrender the de facto permit to the court and the
disqualification shall be deemed a denial of the permit and a revocation of the
de facto permit. If the
applicant is later found by the court to be disqualified after a five-year
permit has been issued, the permit shall be revoked. The clerk of court may withhold from public
disclosure the social security number contained in a permit application in
response to a request to inspect or copy any such permit application, except that
such social security number shall not be withheld from any law-enforcement
officer acting in the performance of his official duties.
E. The following persons shall be deemed disqualified
from obtaining a permit:
1. An
individual who is ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:1,
18.2-308.1:2 or 18.2-308.1:3 or the substantially similar law of any other
state or of the United States.
2. An
individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:1
and who was discharged from the custody of the Commissioner pursuant to §
19.2-182.7 less than five years before the date of his application for a
concealed handgun permit.
3. (Effective
until October 1, 2012) An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm
pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:2 and whose competency or capacity was restored
pursuant to § 37.2-1012 less than five years before the date of his application
for a concealed handgun permit.
3. (Effective
October 1, 2012) An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant
to § 18.2-308.1:2 and whose competency or capacity was restored pursuant to §
64.2-2012 less than five years before the date of his application for a
concealed handgun permit.
4. An
individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm under § 18.2-308.1:3 and who
was released from commitment less than five years before the date of this
application for a concealed handgun permit.
5. An
individual who is subject to a restraining order, or to a protective order and
prohibited by § 18.2-308.1:4 from purchasing or transporting a firearm.
6. An
individual who is prohibited by § 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.
7. An
individual who has been convicted of two or more misdemeanors within the
five-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. Traffic
infractions and misdemeanors set forth in Title 46.2 shall not be considered
for purposes of this disqualification.
8. An
individual who is addicted to, or is an unlawful user or distributor of,
marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, or any controlled substance.
9. An
individual who has been convicted of a violation of § 18.2-266 or a
substantially similar local ordinance, or of public drunkenness, or of a
substantially similar offense under the laws of any other state, the District
of Columbia, the United States, or its territories within the three-year period
immediately preceding the application, or who is a habitual drunkard as
determined pursuant to § 4.1-333.
10. An alien
other than an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United
States.
11. An
individual who has been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States
under dishonorable conditions.
12. An
individual who is a fugitive from justice.
13. An
individual who the court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, based on
specific acts by the applicant, 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, in the opinion of such sheriff, chief of police, or attorney for the
Commonwealth, based upon a disqualifying conviction or upon the specific acts
set forth in the statement, the applicant is likely to use a weapon unlawfully
or negligently to endanger others. The statement of the sheriff, chief of
police, or the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be based upon personal
knowledge of such individual or of a deputy sheriff, police officer, or
assistant attorney for the Commonwealth of the specific acts, or upon a written
statement made under oath before a notary public of a competent person having
personal knowledge of the specific acts.
14. An
individual who has been convicted of any assault, assault and battery, sexual
battery, discharging of a firearm in violation of § 18.2-280 or 18.2-286.1 or
brandishing of a firearm in violation of § 18.2-282 within the three-year
period immediately preceding the application.
15. An
individual who has been convicted of stalking.
16. 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 under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia,
the United States or its territories. For purposes of this disqualifier, only
convictions occurring within 16 years following the later of the date of (i)
the conviction or adjudication or (ii) release from any incarceration imposed
upon such conviction or adjudication shall be deemed to be "previous
convictions."
17. An
individual who has a felony charge pending or a charge pending for an offense
listed in subdivision 14 or 15.
18. An
individual who has received mental health treatment or substance abuse
treatment in a residential setting within five years prior to the date of his
application for a concealed handgun permit.
19. An
individual not otherwise ineligible pursuant to this section, who, within the
three-year period immediately preceding the application for the permit, was
found guilty of any criminal offense set forth in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et
seq.) of Chapter 7 or of a criminal offense of illegal possession or
distribution of marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, or any controlled substance,
under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or
its territories.
20. An
individual, not otherwise ineligible pursuant to this section, with respect to
whom, within the three-year period immediately preceding the application, upon
a charge of any criminal offense set forth in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of
Chapter 7 or upon a charge of illegal possession or distribution of marijuana,
synthetic cannabinoids, or any controlled substance under the laws of any
state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or its territories, the
trial court found that the facts of the case were sufficient for a finding of
guilt and disposed of the case pursuant to § 18.2-251 or the substantially
similar law of any other state, the District of Columbia, or the United States
or its territories.
F. The making
of a materially false statement in an application under this section shall
constitute perjury, punishable as provided in § 18.2-434.
G. The court
shall require proof that the applicant has demonstrated competence with a
handgun and the applicant may demonstrate such competence by one of the
following, but no applicant shall be required to submit to any additional
demonstration of competence, nor shall any proof of demonstrated competence
expire:
1. Completing
any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of another state;
2. Completing
any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course;
3. Completing
any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public
offered by a law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or
public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing
instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of
Criminal Justice Services;
4. Completing
any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for
security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or
subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;
5. Presenting
evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in
organized shooting competition or current military service or proof of an
honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services;
6. Obtaining
or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth or a
locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;
7. Completing
any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic,
video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle
Association-certified firearms instructor;
8. Completing
any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry
a firearm in the course of normal police duties; or
9. Completing
any other firearms training which the court deems adequate.
A photocopy of
a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes; an affidavit from
the instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught
such course or class attesting to the completion of the course or class by the
applicant; or a copy of any document which shows completion of the course or
class or evidences participation in firearms competition shall constitute
evidence of qualification under this subsection.
H. The permit
to carry a concealed handgun shall specify only the following information:
name, address, date of birth, gender, height, weight, color of hair, color of
eyes, and signature of the permittee; the signature of the judge issuing the
permit, of the clerk of court who has been authorized to sign such permits by
the issuing judge, or of the clerk of court who has been authorized to issue
such permits pursuant to subsection D; the date of issuance; and the expiration
date. The permit to carry a concealed handgun shall be no larger than two
inches wide by three and one-fourth inches long and shall be of a uniform style
prescribed by the Department of State Police. The person
issued the permit shall have such permit on his person at all times during
which he is carrying a concealed handgun and shall display the permit and a
photo identification issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth or by
the United States Department of Defense or United States State Department
(passport) upon demand by a law-enforcement officer. Failure to display the permit and a photo
identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer shall be punishable by
a $25 civil penalty, which shall be paid into the state treasury. Any attorney
for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which the alleged violation
occurred may bring an action to recover the civil penalty. A court may waive
such penalty upon presentation to the court of a valid permit and a
government-issued photo identification. Any law-enforcement officer may issue a
summons for the civil violation of failure to display the concealed handgun
permit and photo identification upon demand.
H1. If a
permit holder is a member of the Virginia National Guard, Armed Forces of the
United States, or the Armed Forces reserves of the United States, and his
five-year permit expires during an active-duty military deployment outside of
the permittee's county or city of residence, such permit shall remain valid for
90 days after the end date of the deployment. In order to establish proof of
continued validity of the permit, such a permittee shall carry with him and
display, upon request of a law-enforcement officer, a copy of the permittee's
deployment orders or other documentation from the permittee's commanding
officer that order the permittee to travel outside of his county or city of
residence and that indicate the start and end date of such deployment.
I. Persons who previously have held a concealed
handgun permit shall be issued, upon application as provided in subsection D,
and upon receipt by the circuit court of criminal history record information as
provided in subsection D, a new five-year permit unless it is found that the
applicant is subject to any of the disqualifications set forth in subsection E.
Persons who previously have been issued a concealed handgun permit pursuant to
subsection D shall not be required to appear in person to apply for a new
five-year permit pursuant to this subsection, and the application for the new
permit may be submitted via the United States mail. The circuit court that
receives the application shall promptly notify an applicant if the application
is incomplete or if the fee submitted for the permit pursuant to subsection K
is incorrect. If the new five-year permit is issued while an existing permit
remains valid, the new five-year permit shall become effective upon the
expiration date of the existing permit, provided that the application is
received by the court at least 90 days but no more than 180 days prior to the
expiration of the existing permit. If the circuit
court denies the permit, the specific reasons for the denial shall be stated in
the order of the court denying the permit, including, if
applicable, any reason under subsection E which is the basis of the denial. Upon denial of the application, the clerk shall
provide the person with notice, in writing, of his right to an ore tenus
hearing. Upon request of the applicant made within 21 days, the court shall
place the matter on the docket for an ore tenus hearing. The applicant may be
represented by counsel, but counsel shall not be appointed, and the rules of
evidence shall apply. The final order of the court shall include the court's
findings of fact and conclusions of law.
J. Any person
convicted of an offense that would disqualify that person from obtaining a
permit under subsection E or who violates subsection F shall forfeit his permit
for a concealed handgun and surrender it to the court. Upon receipt by the
Central Criminal Records Exchange of a record of the arrest, conviction or
occurrence of any other event that would disqualify a person from obtaining a
concealed handgun permit under subsection E, the Central Criminal Records
Exchange shall notify the court having issued the permit of such disqualifying
arrest, conviction or other event. Upon receipt of such notice of a conviction,
the court shall revoke the permit of a person disqualified pursuant to this
subsection, and shall promptly notify the State Police and the person whose
permit was revoked of the revocation.
J1. Any person permitted to carry a concealed handgun,
who is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while carrying such
handgun in a public place, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Conviction
of any of the following offenses shall be prima facie evidence, subject to
rebuttal, that the person is "under the influence" for purposes of
this section: manslaughter in violation of § 18.2-36.1, maiming in violation of
§ 18.2-51.4, driving while intoxicated in violation of § 18.2-266, public
intoxication in violation of § 18.2-388, or driving while intoxicated in
violation of § 46.2-341.24. Upon such conviction that court shall revoke the
person's permit for a concealed handgun and promptly notify the issuing circuit
court. A person convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be ineligible
to apply for a concealed handgun permit for a period of five years.
J2. An individual who has a felony charge pending or a
charge pending for an offense listed in subdivision E 14 or E 15, holding a
permit for a concealed handgun, may have the permit suspended by the court
before which such charge is pending or by the court that issued the permit.
J3. No person who carries a concealed handgun onto the
premises of any restaurant or club as defined in § 4.1-100 for which a license
to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has been
granted by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board under Title 4.1 of the
Code of Virginia may consume an alcoholic beverage while on the premises. A
person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of such a restaurant
or club and consumes alcoholic beverages is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
However, nothing in this subsection shall apply to a federal, state, or local
law-enforcement officer.
J4. The court
shall revoke the permit of any individual for whom it would be unlawful to
purchase, possess or transport a firearm under § 18.2-308.1:2 or 18.2-308.1:3,
and shall promptly notify the State Police and the person whose permit was
revoked of the revocation.
K. No fee shall be charged for the issuance of such
permit to a person who has retired from service (i) as a magistrate in the
Commonwealth; (ii) as a special agent with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
or as a law-enforcement officer with the Department of State Police, the
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, or a sheriff or police department,
bureau or force of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, after
completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55; (iii) as a
law-enforcement officer with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Secret Service Agency, Drug
Enforcement Administration, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Customs Service, Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Marshals
Service or Naval Criminal Investigative Service, after completing 15 years of
service or after reaching age 55; (iv) as a law-enforcement officer with any
police or sheriff's department within the United States, the District of
Columbia or any of the territories of the United States, after completing 15
years of service; (v) as a law-enforcement officer with any combination of the
agencies listed in clauses (ii) through (iv), after completing 15 years of
service; or (vi) as a designated boarding team member or boarding officer of
the United States Coast Guard, after completing 15 years of service or after
reaching age 55. The clerk
shall charge a fee of $10 for the processing of an application or issuing of a
permit, including his costs associated with the consultation with
law-enforcement agencies. The local law-enforcement agency conducting the
background investigation may charge a fee not to exceed $35 to cover the cost
of conducting an investigation pursuant to this section. The $35 fee shall
include any amount assessed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for
providing criminal history record information, and the local law-enforcement
agency shall forward the amount assessed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
to the State Police with the fingerprints taken from the applicant. The State
Police may charge a fee not to exceed $5 to cover their costs associated with
processing the application. The total amount assessed for processing an application
for a permit shall not exceed $50, with such fees to be paid in one sum to the
person who receives the application. Payment may be made by any method accepted by that
court for payment of other fees or penalties. No payment shall be required until
the application is received by the court as a complete application. The order issuing such permit, or the copy of the
permit application certified by the clerk as a de facto permit pursuant to
subsection D, shall be provided to the State Police and the law-enforcement
agencies of the county or city. The State Police shall enter the permittee's
name and description in the Virginia Criminal Information Network so that the
permit's existence and current status will be made known to law-enforcement
personnel accessing the Network for investigative purposes. The State Police shall withhold from public
disclosure permittee information submitted to the State Police for purposes of
entry into the Virginia Criminal Information Network, except that such
information shall not be withheld from any law-enforcement agency, officer, or
authorized agent thereof acting in the performance of official law-enforcement
duties, nor shall such information be withheld from an entity that has a valid
contract with any local, state, or federal law-enforcement agency for the
purpose of performing official duties of the law-enforcement agency. However,
nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the release of (a)
records by the State Police concerning permits issued to nonresidents of the
Commonwealth pursuant to subsection P1, or (b) statistical summaries,
abstracts, or other records containing information in an aggregate form that
does not identify any individual permittees.
K1. The clerk of a circuit court that issued a valid
concealed handgun permit shall, upon presentation of the valid permit and proof
of a new address of residence by the permit holder, issue a replacement permit
specifying the permit holder's new address. The clerk of court shall forward
the permit holder's new address of residence to the State Police. The State
Police may charge a fee not to exceed $5, and the clerk of court issuing the
replacement permit may charge a fee not to exceed $5. The total amount assessed
for processing a replacement permit pursuant to this subsection shall not
exceed $10, with such fees to be paid in one sum to the person who receives the application. for the replacement permit.
K2. The clerk
of a circuit court that issued a valid concealed handgun permit shall, upon
submission of a notarized statement by the permit holder that the permit was
lost or destroyed, issue a replacement permit. The replacement permit shall
have the same expiration date as the permit that was lost or destroyed. The
clerk shall issue the replacement permit within 10 business days of receiving
the notarized statement, and may charge a fee not to exceed $5.
L. Any person
denied a permit to carry a concealed handgun under the provisions of this
section may present a petition for review to the Court of Appeals. The petition
for review shall be filed within 60 days of the expiration of the time for
requesting an ore tenus hearing pursuant to subsection I, or if an ore tenus
hearing is requested, within 60 days of the entry of the final order of the
circuit court following the hearing. The petition shall be accompanied by a
copy of the original papers filed in the circuit court, including a copy of the
order of the circuit court denying the permit. Subject to the provisions of
subsection B of § 17.1-410, the decision of the Court of Appeals or judge shall
be final. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the decision to deny
the permit is reversed upon appeal, taxable costs incurred by the person shall
be paid by the Commonwealth.
M. For
purposes of this section:
"Handgun"
means any pistol or revolver or other firearm, except a machine gun, originally
designed, made and intended to fire a projectile by means of an explosion of a
combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand.
"Law-enforcement
officer" means those individuals defined as a law-enforcement officer in §
9.1-101, law-enforcement agents of the Armed Forces of the United States, the
Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and federal agents who are otherwise
authorized to carry weapons by federal law. "Law-enforcement officer"
shall also mean any sworn full-time law-enforcement officer employed by a
law-enforcement agency of the United States or any state or political subdivision
thereof, whose duties are substantially similar to those set forth in §
9.1-101.
"Lawfully
admitted for permanent residence" means the status of having been lawfully
accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an
immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws, such status not having
changed.
"Personal
knowledge" means knowledge of a fact that a person has himself gained
through his own senses, or knowledge that was gained by a law-enforcement
officer or prosecutor through the performance of his official duties.
N. As used in
this article:
"Ballistic
knife" means any knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a
spring-operated mechanism.
"Spring
stick" means a spring-loaded metal stick activated by pushing a button which
rapidly and forcefully telescopes the weapon to several times its original
length.
O. The
granting of a concealed handgun permit shall not thereby authorize the
possession of any handgun or other weapon on property or in places where such
possession is otherwise prohibited by law or is prohibited by the owner of
private property.
P. A valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon
permit or license issued by another state shall authorize the holder of such
permit or license who is at least 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun
in the Commonwealth, provided (i) the issuing authority provides the means for
instantaneous verification of the validity of all such permits or licenses
issued within that state, accessible 24 hours a day, and (ii) except for the
age of the permit or license holder and the type of weapon authorized to be
carried, the requirements and qualifications of that state's law are adequate
to prevent possession of a permit or license by persons who would be denied a
permit in the Commonwealth under this section. The Superintendent of State
Police shall (a) in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General
determine whether states meet the requirements and qualifications of this
section, (b) maintain a registry of such states on the Virginia Criminal
Information Network (VCIN), and (c) make the registry available to
law-enforcement officers for investigative purposes. The Superintendent of the
State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, may also enter into
agreements for reciprocal recognition with any state qualifying for recognition
under this subsection.
P1.
Nonresidents of the Commonwealth 21 years of age or older may apply in writing
to the Virginia Department of State Police for a five-year permit to carry a
concealed handgun. Every applicant for a nonresident concealed handgun permit
shall submit two photographs of a type and kind specified by the Department of
State Police for inclusion on the permit and shall submit fingerprints on a
card provided by the Department of State Police for the purpose of obtaining
the applicant's state or national criminal history record. As a condition for
issuance of a concealed handgun permit, the applicant shall submit to
fingerprinting by his local or state law-enforcement agency and provide
personal descriptive information to be forwarded with the fingerprints through
the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding the
applicant and obtaining fingerprint identification information from federal
records pursuant to criminal investigations by state and local law-enforcement
agencies. The application shall be made under oath before a notary or other
person qualified to take oaths on a form provided by the Department of State
Police, requiring only that information necessary to determine eligibility for
the permit. If the permittee is later found by the Department of State Police
to be disqualified, the permit shall be revoked and the person shall return the
permit after being so notified by the Department of State Police. The permit
requirement and restriction provisions of subsections E and F shall apply,
mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this subsection.
The applicant
shall demonstrate competence with a handgun by one of the following:
1. Completing
a hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Virginia Department
of Game and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of another state;
2. Completing
any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course;
3. Completing
any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public
offered by a law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or
public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing
instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of
Criminal Justice Services or a similar agency of another state;
4. Completing
any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for
security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or
subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;
5. Presenting
evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in
organized shooting competition approved by the Department of State Police or
current military service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of
the armed services;
6. Obtaining
or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth or a
locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;
7. Completing
any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic,
video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle
Association-certified firearms instructor;
8. Completing
any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry
a firearm in the course of normal police duties; or
9. Completing
any other firearms training that the Virginia Department of State Police deems
adequate.
A photocopy of
a certificate of completion of any such course or class, an affidavit from the
instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught such
course or class attesting to the completion of the course or class by the
applicant, or a copy of any document which shows completion of the course or
class or evidences participation in firearms competition shall satisfy the
requirement for demonstration of competence with a handgun.
The Department
of State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $100 to cover the cost of the
background check and issuance of the permit. Any fees collected shall be
deposited in a special account to be used to offset the costs of administering
the nonresident concealed handgun permit program. The Department of State Police shall enter the
permittee's name and description in the Virginia Criminal Information Network
so that the permit's existence and current status are known to law-enforcement
personnel accessing the Network for investigative purposes.
The permit to
carry a concealed handgun shall contain only the following information: name,
address, date of birth, gender, height, weight, color of hair, color of eyes,
and photograph of the permittee; the signature of the Superintendent of the
Virginia Department of State Police or his designee; the date of issuance; and
the expiration date. The person to
whom the permit is issued shall have such permit on his person at all times
when he is carrying a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth and shall display
the permit on demand by a law-enforcement officer.
The
Superintendent of the State Police shall promulgate regulations, pursuant to
the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), for the implementation of
an application process for obtaining a nonresident concealed handgun permit.
Q. A valid
concealed handgun permit issued by the State of Maryland shall be valid in the
Commonwealth provided, (i) the holder of the permit is licensed in the State of
Maryland to perform duties substantially similar to those performed by Virginia
branch pilots licensed pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 54.1-900 et seq.) of Title 54.1
and is performing such duties while in the Commonwealth, and (ii) the holder of
the permit is 21 years of age or older.
R. For the purposes
of participation in concealed handgun reciprocity agreements with other
jurisdictions, the official government-issued law-enforcement identification
card issued to an active-duty law-enforcement officer in the Commonwealth who
is exempt from obtaining a concealed handgun permit under this section shall be
deemed a concealed handgun permit.
S. For the
purposes of understanding the law relating to the use of deadly and lethal
force, the Department of State Police, in consultation with the Supreme Court
on the development of the application for a concealed handgun permit under this
section, shall include a reference to the Virginia Supreme Court website
address or the Virginia Reports on the application.
§ 18.2-308.01. Carrying a concealed handgun with a permit.
A. The prohibition against carrying a concealed handgun in clause (i) of subsection A of § 18.2-308 shall not apply to a person who has a valid concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to this article. The person issued the permit shall have such permit on his person at all times during which he is carrying a concealed handgun and shall display the permit and a photo identification issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. State Department (passport) upon demand by a law-enforcement officer. A person to whom a nonresident permit is issued shall have such permit on his person at all times when he is carrying a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth and shall display the permit on demand by a law-enforcement officer. A person whose permit is extended due to deployment shall carry with him and display, upon request of a law-enforcement officer, a copy of the documents required by subsection B of § 18.2-308.010.
B. Failure to display the permit and a photo identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer shall be punishable by a $25 civil penalty, which shall be paid into the state treasury. Any attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which the alleged violation occurred may bring an action to recover the civil penalty. A court may waive such penalty upon presentation to the court of a valid permit and a government-issued photo identification. Any law-enforcement officer may issue a summons for the civil violation of failure to display the concealed handgun permit and photo identification upon demand.
C. The granting of a concealed handgun permit pursuant to this article shall not thereby authorize the possession of any handgun or other weapon on property or in places where such possession is otherwise prohibited by law or is prohibited by the owner of private property.
§ 18.2-308.02. Application for a concealed handgun permit; Virginia resident or domiciliary.
A. Any person 21 years of age or older may apply in writing to the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city in which he resides, or if he is a member of the United States armed forces, the county or city in which he is domiciled, for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun. There shall be no requirement regarding the length of time an applicant has been a resident or domiciliary of the county or city. The application shall be made under oath before a notary or other person qualified to take oaths and shall be made only on a form prescribed by the Department of State Police, in consultation with the Supreme Court, requiring only that information necessary to determine eligibility for the permit. No information or documentation other than that which is allowed on the application in accordance with this section may be requested or required by the clerk or the court.
B. The court shall require proof that the applicant has demonstrated competence with a handgun and the applicant may demonstrate such competence by one of the following, but no applicant shall be required to submit to any additional demonstration of competence, nor shall any proof of demonstrated competence expire:
1. Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of another state;
2. Completing any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course;
3. Completing any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of Criminal Justice Services;
4. Completing any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;
5. Presenting evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition or current military service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services;
6. Obtaining or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;
7. Completing any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic, video, or online course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor;
8. Completing any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties; or
9. Completing any other firearms training which the court deems adequate.
A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes; an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught such course or class attesting to the completion of the course or class by the applicant; or a copy of any document that shows completion of the course or class or evidences participation in firearms competition shall constitute evidence of qualification under this subsection.
C. The making of a materially false statement in an application under this article shall constitute perjury, punishable as provided in § 18.2-434.
D. The clerk of court may withhold from public disclosure the social security number contained in a permit application in response to a request to inspect or copy any such permit application, except that such social security number shall not be withheld from any law-enforcement officer acting in the performance of his official duties.
E. An application is deemed complete when all information required to be furnished by the applicant, including the fee for a concealed handgun permit as set forth in § 18.2-308.03, is delivered to and received by the clerk of court before or concomitant with the conduct of a state or national criminal history records check.
§ 18.2-308.03. Fees for concealed handgun permits.
A. The clerk shall charge a fee of $10 for the processing of an application or issuing of a permit, including his costs associated with the consultation with law-enforcement agencies. The local law-enforcement agency conducting the background investigation may charge a fee not to exceed $35 to cover the cost of conducting an investigation pursuant to this article. The $35 fee shall include any amount assessed by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for providing criminal history record information, and the local law-enforcement agency shall forward the amount assessed by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to the State Police with the fingerprints taken from any nonresident applicant. The State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $5 to cover its costs associated with processing the application. The total amount assessed for processing an application for a permit shall not exceed $50, with such fees to be paid in one sum to the person who receives the application. Payment may be made by any method accepted by that court for payment of other fees or penalties. No payment shall be required until the application is received by the court as a complete application.
B. No fee shall be charged for the issuance of such permit to a person who has retired from service (i) as a magistrate in the Commonwealth; (ii) as a special agent with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board or as a law-enforcement officer with the Department of State Police, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, or a sheriff or police department, bureau, or force of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55; (iii) as a law-enforcement officer with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Secret Service Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Customs Service, Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Marshals Service, or Naval Criminal Investigative Service, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55; (iv) as a law-enforcement officer with any police or sheriff's department within the United States, the District of Columbia, or any of the territories of the United States, after completing 15 years of service; (v) as a law-enforcement officer with any combination of the agencies listed in clauses (ii) through (iv), after completing 15 years of service; or (vi) as a designated boarding team member or boarding officer of the United States Coast Guard, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55.
§ 18.2-308.04. Processing of the application and issuance of a concealed handgun permit.
A. The clerk of court shall enter on the application the date on which the application and all other information required to be submitted by the applicant is received.
B. Upon receipt of the completed application, the court shall consult with either the sheriff or police department of the county or city and receive a report from the Central Criminal Records Exchange.
C. The court shall issue the permit via United States mail and notify the State Police of the issuance of the permit within 45 days of receipt of the completed application unless it is determined that the applicant is disqualified. Any order denying issuance of the permit shall be in accordance with § 18.2-308.08. If the applicant is later found by the court to be disqualified after a five-year permit has been issued, the permit shall be revoked.
D. A court may authorize the clerk to issue concealed handgun permits, without judicial review, to applicants who have submitted complete applications, for whom the criminal history records check does not indicate a disqualification and, after consulting with either the sheriff or police department of the county or city, about which application there are no outstanding questions or issues. The court clerk shall be immune from suit arising from any acts or omissions relating to the issuance of concealed handgun permits without judicial review pursuant to this section unless the clerk was grossly negligent or engaged in willful misconduct. This section shall not be construed to limit, withdraw, or overturn any defense or immunity already existing in statutory or common law, or to affect any cause of action accruing prior to July 1, 2010.
E. The permit to carry a concealed handgun shall specify only the following information: name, address, date of birth, gender, height, weight, color of hair, color of eyes, and signature of the permittee; the signature of the judge issuing the permit, of the clerk of court who has been authorized to sign such permits by the issuing judge, or of the clerk of court who has been authorized to issue such permits pursuant to subsection D; the date of issuance; and the expiration date. The permit to carry a concealed handgun shall be no larger than two inches wide by three and one-fourth inches long and shall be of a uniform style prescribed by the Department of State Police.
§ 18.2-308.05. Issuance of a de facto permit.
If the court has not issued the permit or determined that the applicant is disqualified within 45 days of the date of receipt noted on the application, the clerk shall certify on the application that the 45-day period has expired, and mail or send via electronic mail a copy of the certified application to the applicant within five business days of the expiration of the 45-day period. The certified application shall serve as a de facto permit, which shall expire 90 days after issuance, and shall be recognized as a valid concealed handgun permit when presented with a valid government-issued photo identification pursuant to subsection E of § 18.2-308.04, until the court issues a five-year permit or finds the applicant to be disqualified. If the applicant is found to be disqualified after the de facto permit is issued, the applicant shall surrender the de facto permit to the court and the disqualification shall be deemed a denial of the permit and a revocation of the de facto permit.
§ 18.2-308.06. Nonresident concealed handgun permits.
A. Nonresidents of the Commonwealth 21 years of age or older may apply in writing to the Virginia Department of State Police for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun. Every applicant for a nonresident concealed handgun permit shall submit two photographs of a type and kind specified by the Department of State Police for inclusion on the permit and shall submit fingerprints on a card provided by the Department of State Police for the purpose of obtaining the applicant's state or national criminal history record. As a condition for issuance of a concealed handgun permit, the applicant shall submit to fingerprinting by his local or state law-enforcement agency and provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded with the fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding the applicant and obtaining fingerprint identification information from federal records pursuant to criminal investigations by state and local law-enforcement agencies. The application shall be made under oath before a notary or other person qualified to take oaths on a form provided by the Department of State Police, requiring only that information necessary to determine eligibility for the permit. If the permittee is later found by the Department of State Police to be disqualified, the permit shall be revoked and the person shall return the permit after being so notified by the Department of State Police. The permit requirement and restriction provisions of subsection C of § 18.2-308.02 and § 18.2-308.09 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this subsection.
B. The applicant shall demonstrate competence with a handgun by one of the following:
1. Completing a hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of another state;
2. Completing any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course;
3. Completing any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of Criminal Justice Services or a similar agency of another state;
4. Completing any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;
5. Presenting evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition approved by the Department of State Police or current military service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services;
6. Obtaining or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;
7. Completing any firearms training or safety course or class, including an electronic, video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor;
8. Completing any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties; or
9. Completing any other firearms training that the Virginia Department of State Police deems adequate.
A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any such course or class; an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught such course or class attesting to the completion of the course or class by the applicant; or a copy of any document that shows completion of the course or class or evidences participation in firearms competition shall satisfy the requirement for demonstration of competence with a handgun.
C. The Department of State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $100 to cover the cost of the background check and issuance of the permit. Any fees collected shall be deposited in a special account to be used to offset the costs of administering the nonresident concealed handgun permit program.
D. The permit to carry a concealed handgun shall contain only the following information: name, address, date of birth, gender, height, weight, color of hair, color of eyes, and photograph of the permittee; the signature of the Superintendent of the Virginia Department of State Police or his designee; the date of issuance; and the expiration date.
E. The Superintendent of the State Police shall promulgate regulations, pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), for the implementation of an application process for obtaining a nonresident concealed handgun permit.
§ 18.2-308.07. Entry of information into the Virginia Criminal Information Network.
A. An order issuing a concealed handgun permit pursuant to § 18.2-308.04, or the copy of the permit application certified by the clerk as a de facto permit pursuant to § 18.2-308.05, shall be provided to the State Police and the law-enforcement agencies of the county or city by the clerk of the court. The State Police shall enter the permittee's name and description in the Virginia Criminal Information Network so that the permit's existence and current status will be made known to law-enforcement personnel accessing the Network for investigative purposes.
B. The Department of State Police shall enter the name and description of a person issued a nonresident permit pursuant to § 18.2-308.06 in the Virginia Criminal Information Network so that the permit's existence and current status are known to law-enforcement personnel accessing the Network for investigative purposes.
C. The State Police shall withhold from public disclosure permittee information submitted to the State Police for purposes of entry into the Virginia Criminal Information Network, except that such information shall not be withheld from any law-enforcement agency, officer, or authorized agent thereof acting in the performance of official law-enforcement duties, nor shall such information be withheld from an entity that has a valid contract with any local, state, or federal law-enforcement agency for the purpose of performing official duties of the law-enforcement agency. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the release of (i) records by the State Police concerning permits issued to nonresidents of the Commonwealth pursuant to § 18.2-308.06 or (ii) statistical summaries, abstracts, or other records containing information in an aggregate form that does not identify any individual permittees.
§ 18.2-308.08. Denial of a concealed handgun permit; appeal.
A. Only a circuit court judge may deny issuance of a concealed handgun permit to a Virginia resident or domiciliary who has applied for a permit pursuant to § 18.2-308.04. Any order denying issuance of a concealed handgun permit shall state the basis for the denial of the permit, including, if applicable, any reason under § 18.2-308.09 that is the basis of the denial, and the clerk shall provide notice, in writing, upon denial of the application, of the applicant's right to an ore tenus hearing and the requirements for perfecting an appeal of such order.
B. Upon request of the applicant made within 21 days, the court shall place the matter on the docket for an ore tenus hearing. The applicant may be represented by counsel, but counsel shall not be appointed, and the rules of evidence shall apply. The final order of the court shall include the court's findings of fact and conclusions of law.
C. Any person denied a permit to carry a concealed handgun by the circuit court may present a petition for review to the Court of Appeals. The petition for review shall be filed within 60 days of the expiration of the time for requesting an ore tenus hearing, or if an ore tenus hearing is requested, within 60 days of the entry of the final order of the circuit court following the hearing. The petition shall be accompanied by a copy of the original papers filed in the circuit court, including a copy of the order of the circuit court denying the permit. Subject to the provisions of subsection B of § 17.1-410, the decision of the Court of Appeals or judge shall be final. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the decision to deny the permit is reversed upon appeal, taxable costs incurred by the person shall be paid by the Commonwealth.
§ 18.2-308.09. Disqualifications for a concealed handgun permit.
The following persons shall be deemed disqualified from obtaining a permit:
1. An individual who is ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:1, 18.2-308.1:2, or 18.2-308.1:3 or the substantially similar law of any other state or of the United States.
2. An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:1 and who was discharged from the custody of the Commissioner pursuant to § 19.2-182.7 less than five years before the date of his application for a concealed handgun permit.
3. (Effective until October 1, 2012) An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:2 and whose competency or capacity was restored pursuant to § 37.2-1012 less than five years before the date of his application for a concealed handgun permit.
3. (Effective October 1, 2012) An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to § 18.2-308.1:2 and whose competency or capacity was restored pursuant to § 64.2-2012 less than five years before the date of his application for a concealed handgun permit.
4. An individual who was ineligible to possess a firearm under § 18.2-308.1:3 and who was released from commitment less than five years before the date of this application for a concealed handgun permit.
5. An individual who is subject to a restraining order, or to a protective order and prohibited by § 18.2-308.1:4 from purchasing or transporting a firearm.
6. An individual who is prohibited by § 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.
7. An individual who has been convicted of two or more misdemeanors within the five-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. Traffic infractions and misdemeanors set forth in Title 46.2 shall not be considered for purposes of this disqualification.
8. An individual who is addicted to, or is an unlawful user or distributor of, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, or any controlled substance.
9. An individual who has been convicted of a violation of § 18.2-266 or a substantially similar local ordinance, or of public drunkenness, or of a substantially similar offense under the laws of any other state, the District of Columbia, the United States, or its territories within the three-year period immediately preceding the application, or who is a habitual drunkard as determined pursuant to § 4.1-333.
10. An alien other than an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
11. An individual who has been discharged from the armed forces of the United States under dishonorable conditions.
12. An individual who is a fugitive from justice.
13. An individual who the court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, based on specific acts by the applicant, 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, in the opinion of such sheriff, chief of police, or attorney for the Commonwealth, based upon a disqualifying conviction or upon the specific acts set forth in the statement, the applicant is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to endanger others. The statement of the sheriff, chief of police, or the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be based upon personal knowledge of such individual or of a deputy sheriff, police officer, or assistant attorney for the Commonwealth of the specific acts, or upon a written statement made under oath before a notary public of a competent person having personal knowledge of the specific acts.
14. An individual who has been convicted of any assault, assault and battery, sexual battery, discharging of a firearm in violation of § 18.2-280 or 18.2-286.1 or brandishing of a firearm in violation of § 18.2-282 within the three-year period immediately preceding the application.
15. An individual who has been convicted of stalking.
16. An individual whose previous convictions or adjudications of delinquency were based on an offense that would have been at the time of conviction a felony if committed by an adult under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia, the United States or its territories. For purposes of this disqualifier, only convictions occurring within 16 years following the later of the date of (i) the conviction or adjudication or (ii) release from any incarceration imposed upon such conviction or adjudication shall be deemed to be "previous convictions."
17. An individual who has a felony charge pending or a charge pending for an offense listed in subdivision 14 or 15.
18. An individual who has received mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in a residential setting within five years prior to the date of his application for a concealed handgun permit.
19. An individual not otherwise ineligible pursuant to this article, who, within the three-year period immediately preceding the application for the permit, was found guilty of any criminal offense set forth in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) or of a criminal offense of illegal possession or distribution of marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, or any controlled substance, under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or its territories.
20. An individual, not otherwise ineligible pursuant to this article, with respect to whom, within the three-year period immediately preceding the application, upon a charge of any criminal offense set forth in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) or upon a charge of illegal possession or distribution of marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, or any controlled substance under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or its territories, the trial court found that the facts of the case were sufficient for a finding of guilt and disposed of the case pursuant to § 18.2-251 or the substantially similar law of any other state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or its territories.
§ 18.2-308.010. Renewal of concealed handgun permit.
A. 1. Persons who previously have held a concealed handgun permit shall be issued, upon application as provided in § 18.2-308.02, a new five-year permit unless it is found that the applicant is subject to any of the disqualifications set forth in § 18.2-308.09. Persons who previously have been issued a concealed handgun permit pursuant to this article shall not be required to appear in person to apply for a new five-year permit pursuant to this section, and the application for the new permit may be submitted via the United States mail. The circuit court that receives the application shall promptly notify an applicant if the application is incomplete or if the fee submitted for the permit pursuant to § 18.2-308.03 is incorrect.
2. If a new five-year permit is issued while an existing permit remains valid, the new five-year permit shall become effective upon the expiration date of the existing permit, provided that the application is received by the court at least 90 days but no more than 180 days prior to the expiration of the existing permit.
3. Any order denying issuance of the new permit shall be in accordance with subsection A of § 18.2-308.08.
B. If a permit holder is a member of the Virginia National Guard, armed forces of the United States, or the Armed Forces Reserves of the United States, and his five-year permit expires during an active-duty military deployment outside of the permittee's county or city of residence, such permit shall remain valid for 90 days after the end date of the deployment. In order to establish proof of continued validity of the permit, such a permittee shall carry with him and display, upon request of a law-enforcement officer, a copy of the permittee's deployment orders or other documentation from the permittee's commanding officer that order the permittee to travel outside of his county or city of residence and that indicate the start and end date of such deployment.
§ 18.2-308.011. Replacement permits.
A. The clerk of a circuit court that issued a valid concealed handgun permit shall, upon presentation of the valid permit and proof of a new address of residence by the permit holder, issue a replacement permit specifying the permit holder's new address. The clerk of court shall forward the permit holder's new address of residence to the State Police. The State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $5, and the clerk of court issuing the replacement permit may charge a fee not to exceed $5. The total amount assessed for processing a replacement permit pursuant to this subsection shall not exceed $10, with such fees to be paid in one sum to the person who receives the information for the replacement permit.
B. The clerk of a circuit court that issued a valid concealed handgun permit shall, upon submission of a notarized statement by the permit holder that the permit was lost or destroyed, issue a replacement permit. The replacement permit shall have the same expiration date as the permit that was lost or destroyed. The clerk shall issue the replacement permit within 10 business days of receiving the notarized statement, and may charge a fee not to exceed $5.
§ 18.2-308.012. Prohibited conduct.
A. Any person permitted to carry a concealed handgun who is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while carrying such handgun in a public place is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Conviction of any of the following offenses shall be prima facie evidence, subject to rebuttal, that the person is "under the influence" for purposes of this section: manslaughter in violation of § 18.2-36.1, maiming in violation of § 18.2-51.4, driving while intoxicated in violation of § 18.2-266, public intoxication in violation of § 18.2-388, or driving while intoxicated in violation of § 46.2-341.24. Upon such conviction that court shall revoke the person's permit for a concealed handgun and promptly notify the issuing circuit court. A person convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be ineligible to apply for a concealed handgun permit for a period of five years.
B. No person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of any restaurant or club as defined in § 4.1-100 for which a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has been granted by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board under Title 4.1 may consume an alcoholic beverage while on the premises. A person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of such a restaurant or club and consumes alcoholic beverages is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, nothing in this subsection shall apply to a federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer.
§ 18.2-308.013. Suspension or revocation of permit.
A. Any person convicted of an offense that would disqualify that person from obtaining a permit under § 18.2-308.09 or who violates subsection C of § 18.2-308.02 shall forfeit his permit for a concealed handgun and surrender it to the court. Upon receipt by the Central Criminal Records Exchange of a record of the arrest, conviction, or occurrence of any other event that would disqualify a person from obtaining a concealed handgun permit under § 18.2-308.09, the Central Criminal Records Exchange shall notify the court having issued the permit of such disqualifying arrest, conviction, or other event. Upon receipt of such notice of a conviction, the court shall revoke the permit of a person disqualified pursuant to this subsection, and shall promptly notify the State Police and the person whose permit was revoked of the revocation.
B. An individual who has a felony charge pending or a charge pending for an offense listed in subdivision 14 or 15 of § 18.2-308.09, holding a permit for a concealed handgun, may have the permit suspended by the court before which such charge is pending or by the court that issued the permit.
C. The court shall revoke the permit of any individual for whom it would be unlawful to purchase, possess, or transport a firearm under § 18.2-308.1:2 or 18.2-308.1:3, and shall promptly notify the State Police and the person whose permit was revoked of the revocation.
§ 18.2-308.014. Reciprocity.
A. A valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state shall authorize the holder of such permit or license who is at least 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth, provided (i) the issuing authority provides the means for instantaneous verification of the validity of all such permits or licenses issued within that state, accessible 24 hours a day, and (ii) except for the age of the permit or license holder and the type of weapon authorized to be carried, the requirements and qualifications of that state's law are adequate to prevent possession of a permit or license by persons who would be denied a permit in the Commonwealth under this article. The Superintendent of State Police shall (a) in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General determine whether states meet the requirements and qualifications of this subsection, (b) maintain a registry of such states on the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN), and (c) make the registry available to law-enforcement officers for investigative purposes. The Superintendent of the State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, may also enter into agreements for reciprocal recognition with any state qualifying for recognition under this subsection.
B. A valid concealed handgun permit issued by Maryland shall be valid in the Commonwealth, provided (i) the holder of the permit is licensed in Maryland to perform duties substantially similar to those performed by Virginia branch pilots licensed pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 54.1-900 et seq.) of Title 54.1 and is performing such duties while in the Commonwealth, and (ii) the holder of the permit is 21 years of age or older.
C. For the purposes of participation in concealed handgun reciprocity agreements with other jurisdictions, the official government-issued law-enforcement identification card issued to an active-duty law-enforcement officer in the Commonwealth who is exempt from obtaining a concealed handgun permit under this article shall be deemed a concealed handgun permit.
§ 18.2-308.015. Inclusion of Supreme Court website on application.
For the purposes of understanding the law relating to the use of deadly and lethal force, the Department of State Police, in consultation with the Supreme Court on the development of the application for a concealed handgun permit under this article, shall include a reference to the Virginia Supreme Court website address or the Virginia Reports on the application.
§ 18.2-311. Prohibiting the selling or having in possession blackjacks, etc.
If any person sells or barters, or exhibits for sale or for
barter, or gives or furnishes, or causes to be sold, bartered, given or
furnished, or has in his possession, or under his control, with the intent of
selling, bartering, giving or furnishing, any blackjack, brass or metal knucks,
any disc of whatever configuration having at least two points or pointed blades
which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a
throwing star or oriental dart, switchblade knife, ballistic knife as defined in § 18.2-307.1, or
like weapons, such person shall be is guilty of a Class 4
misdemeanor. The having in one's possession of any such weapon shall be prima
facie evidence, except in the case of a conservator of the peace, of his intent
to sell, barter, give or furnish the same.
§ 19.2-83.1. Report of arrest of school employees and adult students for certain offenses.
A. Every state official or agency and every sheriff, police officer, or other local law-enforcement officer or conservator of the peace having the power to arrest for a felony, upon arresting a person who is known or discovered by the arresting official to be a full-time, part-time, permanent, or temporary teacher or other employee in any public school division in this Commonwealth for a felony or a Class 1 misdemeanor or an equivalent offense in another state shall file a report of such arrest with the division superintendent of the employing division as soon as practicable. The contents of the report required pursuant to this section shall be utilized by the local school division solely to implement the provisions of subsection B of § 22.1-296.2 and § 22.1-315.
B. Every state official or agency and every sheriff, police officer, or other local law-enforcement officer or conservator of the peace having the power to arrest for a felony, shall file a report, as soon as practicable, with the division superintendent of the school division in which the student is enrolled upon arresting a person who is known or discovered by the arresting official to be a student age 18 or older in any public school division in this Commonwealth for:
1. A firearm offense pursuant to Article 4 (§ 18.2-279 et
seq.), 5 (§ 18.2-288 et seq.), 6 (§ 18.2-299 et seq.), 6.1 (§ 18.2-307.1 et seq.), or
7 (§ 18.2-308 18.2-308.1 et seq.) of Chapter
7 of Title 18.2;
2. Homicide, pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-30 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2;
3. Felonious assault and bodily wounding, pursuant to Article 4 (§ 18.2-51 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2;
4. Criminal sexual assault, pursuant to Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2;
5. Manufacture, sale, gift, distribution or possession of Schedule I or II controlled substances, pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2;
6. Manufacture, sale or distribution of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2;
7. Arson and related crimes, pursuant to Article 1 (§ 18.2-77 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2;
8. Burglary and related offenses, pursuant to §§ 18.2-89 through 18.2-93;
9. Robbery pursuant to § 18.2-58;
10. Prohibited criminal street gang activity pursuant to § 18.2-46.2; or
11. Recruitment of juveniles for criminal street gang pursuant to § 18.2-46.3.
§ 19.2-120.1. Presumption of no bail for illegal aliens charged with certain crimes.
A. In addition to the presumption against the admission to bail
under subsection B of § 19.2-120, the judicial officer shall presume, subject
to rebuttal, that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably
assure the appearance of the person or the safety of the public if (i) the
person is currently charged with an offense listed in subsection A of §
19.2-297.1, subsection C of § 17.1-805, any offense under Chapter 4 (§ 18.2-30
et seq.) of Title 18.2 except any offense under subsection A of § 18.2-57.2,
any felony offense under Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title
18.2, or any offense under Article 2 (§ 18.2-266 et seq.), or any local
ordinance substantially similar thereto, 4 (§ 18.2-279 et seq.), 5 (§ 18.2-288
et seq.), 6 (§ 18.2-299 et seq.), 6.1 (§
18.2-307.1 et seq.), or 7 (§ 18.2-308 18.2-308.1 et seq.) of Chapter
7 of Title 18.2, and (ii) the person has been identified as being illegally
present in the United States by the United
States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A, no presumption shall exist
under this section as to any misdemeanor offense, or any felony offense under
Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, unless the United States Immigration
and Customs Enforcement has guaranteed that, in all such cases in the
Commonwealth, it will issue a detainer for the initiation of removal
proceedings and agree to reimburse for the cost of incarceration from the time
of the issuance of the detainer.
§ 19.2-386.27. Forfeiture of firearms carried in violation of Article 6.1 (§ 18.2-307.1 et seq.).
Any weapon used in the commission of a violation of § 18.2-308 Article 6.1 (§ 18.2-307.1 et
seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 shall be forfeited to the
Commonwealth and may be seized by an officer as forfeited, and such as may be
needed for police officers, conservators of the peace, and the Department of
Forensic Science shall be devoted to that purpose, subject to any registration
requirements of federal law, and the remainder shall be disposed of as provided
in § 19.2-386.29.
§ 19.2-386.28. Forfeiture of weapons that are concealed, possessed, transported or carried in violation of law.
Any firearm, stun weapon as defined by § 18.2-308.1, or any
weapon concealed, possessed, transported or carried in violation of §§ § 18.2-283.1, 18.2-287.01, 18.2-287.4,
18.2-308.1:2, 18.2-308.1:3, 18.2-308.1:4, 18.2-308.2, 18.2-308.2:01,
18.2-308.2:1, 18.2-308.4, 18.2-308.5, 18.2-308.7, or § 18.2-308.8 shall be forfeited
to the Commonwealth and disposed of as provided in § 19.2-386.29.
§ 24.2-643. Qualified voter permitted to vote; procedures at polling place; voter identification.
A. After the polls are open, each qualified voter at a precinct shall be permitted to vote. The officers of election shall ascertain that a person offering to vote is a qualified voter before admitting him to the voting booth and furnishing an official ballot to him.
B. An officer of election shall ask the voter for his full
name and current residence address and repeat, in a voice audible to party and
candidate representatives present, the full name and address stated by the
voter. The officer shall ask the voter to present any one of the following
forms of identification: his Commonwealth of Virginia voter registration card,
his social security card, his valid Virginia driver's license, his concealed
handgun permit issued pursuant to § 18.2-308 18.2-308.04, or any other
identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of
its political subdivisions, or the United States; any valid student
identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in
the Commonwealth of Virginia; any valid employee identification card containing
a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the
ordinary course of the employer's business; or a copy of a current utility
bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck that shows the name and
address of the voter.
Any voter who does not show one of the forms of identification specified in this subsection shall be offered a provisional ballot under the provisions of § 24.2-653. The State Board of Elections shall provide an ID-ONLY provisional ballot envelope that requires no follow-up action by the registrar or electoral board other than matching submitted identification documents from the voter for the electoral board to make a determination on whether to count the ballot.
If the voter's name is found on the pollbook, if he presents one of the forms of identification listed above, if he is qualified to vote in the election, and if no objection is made, an officer shall enter, opposite the voter's name on the pollbook, the first or next consecutive number from the voter count form provided by the State Board, or shall enter that the voter has voted if the pollbook is in electronic form; an officer shall provide the voter with the official ballot; and another officer shall admit him to the voting booth. Each voter whose name has been marked on the pollbooks as present to vote and entitled to a ballot shall remain in the presence of the officers of election in the polling place until he has voted. If a line of voters who have been marked on the pollbooks as present to vote forms to await entry to the voting booths, the line shall not be permitted to extend outside of the room containing the voting booths and shall remain under observation by the officers of election.
A voter may be accompanied into the voting booth by his child age 15 or younger.
C. If the current residence address stated by the voter is different from the address shown on the pollbook, the officer of election shall furnish the voter with a change of address form prescribed by the State Board. Upon its completion, the voter shall sign the prescribed form, subject to felony penalties for making false statements pursuant to § 24.2-1016, which the officer of election shall then place in an envelope provided for such forms for transmission to the general registrar who shall then transfer or cancel the registration of such voter pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 24.2-400 et seq.).
D. At the time the voter is asked his full name and current residence address, the officer of election shall ask any voter for whom the pollbook indicates that an identification number other than a social security number is recorded on the Virginia voter registration system if he presently has a social security number. If the voter is able to provide his social security number, he shall be furnished with a voter registration form prescribed by the State Board to update his registration information. Upon its completion, the form shall be placed by the officer of election in an envelope provided for such forms for transmission to the general registrar. Any social security numbers so provided shall be entered by the general registrar in the voter's record on the voter registration system.
E. For federal elections held after January 1, 2004, this subsection shall apply in the case of any voter who is required by subparagraph (b) of 42 U.S.C.S. § 15483 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to show identification the first time the voter votes in a federal election in the state. At such election, such voter shall present (i) a current and valid photo identification or (ii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. Such individual who desires to vote in person but who does not show one of the forms of identification specified in this subsection shall be offered a provisional ballot under the provisions of § 24.2-653. Neither the identification requirements of subsection B, nor the identification requirements of subsection A of § 24.2-653, shall apply to such voter at that election. The State Board of Elections shall provide instructions to the electoral boards for the handling and counting of such provisional ballots pursuant to subsection B of § 24.2-653 and this section.
2. That the provisions of this act are declaratory of existing law.