user
Accomplished Advocate
I got the following request for information, and thought it might be of general interest:
"Several years ago (I'm thinking about 7ish) I plead guilty to a DUI charge in Virginia.
A short time after the conviction I received a letter from the state [*assuming that means Virginia*] saying my concealed handgun permit was revoked because of the conviction. Fast forward to present day I now live in a different state and have a concealed handgun permit that reciprocates with Virginia. Am I legal to concealed carry in Virginia?"
The answer is that a DUI (or conviction for a similar offense in another jurisdiction) will disqualify a person from carrying concealed for a period of three years after the offense. During that three year period, the person is not eligible for a permit and any concealed carry will be treated as a violation of 18.2-308 (See 18.2-308(E)(9)).
If, as this person asks, he can lawfully carry concealed using a resident CHP from another state with which Virginia shares reciprocity, and it's been seven years since the conviction, that's no problem.
But as far as I can tell, it's perfectly legal to carry openly after a DUI in Virginia, CHP or no CHP, as long as one is otherwise eligible to be in possession of a firearm.
"Several years ago (I'm thinking about 7ish) I plead guilty to a DUI charge in Virginia.
A short time after the conviction I received a letter from the state [*assuming that means Virginia*] saying my concealed handgun permit was revoked because of the conviction. Fast forward to present day I now live in a different state and have a concealed handgun permit that reciprocates with Virginia. Am I legal to concealed carry in Virginia?"
The answer is that a DUI (or conviction for a similar offense in another jurisdiction) will disqualify a person from carrying concealed for a period of three years after the offense. During that three year period, the person is not eligible for a permit and any concealed carry will be treated as a violation of 18.2-308 (See 18.2-308(E)(9)).
If, as this person asks, he can lawfully carry concealed using a resident CHP from another state with which Virginia shares reciprocity, and it's been seven years since the conviction, that's no problem.
But as far as I can tell, it's perfectly legal to carry openly after a DUI in Virginia, CHP or no CHP, as long as one is otherwise eligible to be in possession of a firearm.