A legal review conducted by the Office of the Attorney General in 2015 pursuant to § 18.2-308.014 of the Code of Virginia identified several jurisdictions that failed to meet the statutory requirements required by Virginia for recognition of the concealed carry permits they issue. The Attorney General then attempted to terminate the reciprocity agreements and mutual recognition with these states.
In response to public outcry over this review, the Governor and Attorney General, working with the General Assembly, reached a bi-partisan legislative solution to ensure the continued recognition of concealed carry permits.
UNTIL JUNE 30, 2016:
Virginia extends reciprocity or recognition to citizens holding both resident and non-resident permits/licenses from the following jurisdictions as set forth below:
Listing of states with which Virginia has Reciprocity Agreements (A formal written agreement exists between the two jurisdictions):
| Alaska Florida Kentucky Mississippi New Mexico North Carolina Ohio |
Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas West Virginia |
Listing of states with which Virginia has mutual recognition (Jurisdictions have informally agreed to honor permits issued by the other):
| Arizona Arkansas Indiana Idaho (Enhanced Lic only) Kansas Louisiana Michigan |
Montana Nebraska North Dakota Oklahoma Utah Wyoming |
Listing of states of which Virginia will grant recognition to valid permit holders:
Delaware
Minnesota
Washington
Wisconsin
Although Virginia will grant recognition, these states may not authorize Virginia permit holders to possess a firearm in their state. You will need to contact each state to determine if they will recognize your Virginia permit.
Action to terminate existing agreements and mutual recognition has been delayed to allow the new provisions to take effect on July 1, 2016, making revocation unnecessary. As a result, Virginia’s recognition of permits will remain unchanged until July 1 when the new law becomes effective.
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2016
The holder of a valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state may carry a concealed handgun in Virginia provided:
- the holder of such permit or license is at least 21 years of age; and
- the permit or license holder carries a photo identification issued by a government agency of any state or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of State; and
- the holder displays the permit or license and such identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer; and
- the permit or license holder has not previously had a Virginia concealed handgun permit revoked.
The legislation also provides that the Virginia State Police, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, will work with the various jurisdictions to secure reciprocal privileges for Virginia citizens desiring to carry concealed in other states.
Although the new law will require Virginia to grant recognition to all states that issue permits, those states may not authorize Virginia permit holders to possess a firearm in their state. You will need to contact each state to determine if they will recognize your Virginia permit.
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