Incrementally deconstructing Virginia's training requirements, and otherwise reducing the bar to obtaining a VA permit as a back door path to "Constitutional Carry", has the unintended consequence of reducing the number of states that will accept a Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit for reciprocity purposes. Delaware just dropped Virginia reciprocity, allegedly due to Virginia's inadequate training requirement to obtain a permit.
If we want constitutional carry, and I certainly do, it would be better to simply allow carry in Virginia without a permit, but keep the permit process for those who want to obtain one for reciprocity with other states. Then make the Virginia permit a decent permit with realistic training requirements, perhaps even a photo, to maximize reciprocity with other states.
I'm not in favor of any proposal that will lock instructors into following only an NRA training program, or that will encourage court challenges of an individual instructor's training certificate, or that will give localities an excuse to reject applications unless they approve each individual instructors training program.
Like many, I have a problem with all of these hoops that one must jump through in order to get a permit to exercise what should be a fundamental right. You don't need to get a background check, fingerprints and permit to post something on the Internet, or call a radio talk show or write a letter to the editor. You shouldn't need one to protect yourself, either, but these permits are the practical reality at this point in time.
If we want constitutional carry, and I certainly do, it would be better to simply allow carry in Virginia without a permit, but keep the permit process for those who want to obtain one for reciprocity with other states. Then make the Virginia permit a decent permit with realistic training requirements, perhaps even a photo, to maximize reciprocity with other states.
I'm not in favor of any proposal that will lock instructors into following only an NRA training program, or that will encourage court challenges of an individual instructor's training certificate, or that will give localities an excuse to reject applications unless they approve each individual instructors training program.
Like many, I have a problem with all of these hoops that one must jump through in order to get a permit to exercise what should be a fundamental right. You don't need to get a background check, fingerprints and permit to post something on the Internet, or call a radio talk show or write a letter to the editor. You shouldn't need one to protect yourself, either, but these permits are the practical reality at this point in time.