The Virginia State Police released this announcement yesterday. It is very important for those visiting the Commonwealth of Virginia who previously enjoyed reciprocity for their CCW permit. The action was taken at the direction of Virginia’s Attorney General, Mark R. Herring, who had the VSP review concealed carry rules in each of the states that currently have reciprocity agreements with Virginia. Likewise, Virginians will need to pursue alternative CCW licensing from other states such as Utah or Florida which offer non-resident options, if they plan to carry while in other jurisdictions where it is legal.
This is the second firearms restrictive executive action taken by Democrat Governor Terry McAuliffe’s administration. The previous move prevents open carry of firearms by non-LE in Executive branch agencies and buildings.
Legal review conducted in 2015 pursuant to § 18.2-308.014 of the Code of Virginia identified several jurisdictions that currently fail to meet the statutory requirements for recognition of the concealed carry permits they issue. As a result of that review, effective February 1, 2016, concealed carry permits issued by the following jurisdictions are NO LONGER VALID in Virginia:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Minnesota
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
As a result of this revocation of recognition Virginia concealed carry permits may no longer be valid in the jurisdictions listed above. Permit holders should, prior to travel, contact each jurisdiction to determine if their permit will be recognized prior to carrying concealed in that jurisdiction.
According to the legal review conducted by the Attorney General’s Office, certain states will no longer recognize Virginia concealed handgun permits because Virginia no longer recognizes that jurisdiction’s concealed handgun permit. These states are:
Florida
Louisiana
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Wyoming
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):
Texas
West Virginia
Listing of states with which Virginia has mutual recognition (Jurisdictions have informally agreed to honor permits issued by the other):
Michigan
Utah
Oklahoma
Virginia non-resident permit holders
Virginia non-resident permit holders should contact each jurisdiction to determine if their permit will be recognized prior to carrying in that jurisdiction.
www.vsp.virginia.gov/Firearms_Reciprocity
