Virginia HB 2414: Concealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence.

Bill Text

2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25101963D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2414

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 8, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.02 of the Code of Virginia, relating to concealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence.

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Patron—Oates

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Referred to Committee on Public Safety

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-308.02 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 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 and stationed outside the Commonwealth, 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 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. Additionally, the application shall request but not require that the applicant provide an email or other electronic address where a notice of permit expiration can be sent pursuant to subsection C of § 18.2-308.010. The applicant shall present one valid form of photo identification issued by a governmental agency of the Commonwealth or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. State Department (passport). 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 in person 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 Wildlife Resources or a similar agency of another state;

2. Completing any National Rifle Association or United States Concealed Carry 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, institution of higher education, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association, the United States Concealed Carry Association, or the Department of Criminal Justice Services either in person or via participation in a live class conducted using a two-way electronic video and audio communication system in which the student and instructor have the opportunity to interact;

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 either in person or via participation in a live class conducted using a two-way electronic video and audio communication system in which the student and instructor have the opportunity to interact;

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 in-person firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a state-certified, National Rifle Association-certified, or United States Concealed Carry Association-certified firearms instructor either in person or via participation in a live class conducted using a two-way electronic video and audio communication system in which the student and instructor have the opportunity to interact;

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 court deems adequate either in person or via participation in a live class conducted using a two-way electronic video and audio communication system in which the student and instructor have the opportunity to interact.

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 com