If you’re using a driver’s license issued by the Virginia DMV, it must have been issued to you at least 30 days before the day of the gun show. If you aren’t a resident of the state of Virginia, you can buy a rifle or shotgun from a licensed dealer, provided you bring a secondary form of ID to prove your residence.

Virginia also doesn’t have any requirements regarding the manufacture or composition of a firearm, so you likely want to look it over carefully and make sure it suits your needs and doesn’t have any glaring defects.

Keep in mind that because you’re buying the gun from a private individual, your name will not show up in the chain of ownership for the gun. This means if the gun is found at the scene of a crime, the seller will come up as the last owner of the gun with that serial number. The log is primarily to protect the seller, but also protects you in case the gun is stolen.

You can also order your own background check ahead of time by going to the nearest Virginia State Police headquarters and completing an application. However, these do take approximately 15 days to complete, so plan in advance if you want to bring along your own background check. If you don’t want to go through with the background check, simply find an individual who is willing to sell to you without one.

Generally, you can open-carry any firearm as long as it isn’t loaded. If you also have ammunition, it’s a good idea to store the ammunition separately. If you purchase a handgun, you can put it in the glove compartment or a similar concealed area of your vehicle for transport, even if you don’t have a concealed carry permit.

Be at least 18 (21 to purchase a handgun) Never convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of 2 years or more Under indictment for a felony, subject to an active warrant, or under a restraining order US citizen or lawful permanent resident of the US Not convicted of use or possession of illegal drugs within the past year Not acquitted of a charge by reason of insanity, or found by a court of law to be insane, incompetent, or mentally incapacitated Not dishonorably discharged from the US Armed Forces Not convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge

You can search the list of federal firearms licensees (FFLs) at https://www. atf. gov/firearms/listing-federal-firearms-licensees if you need help finding a dealer near you. Many of these FFLs have websites you can visit to learn more about the shop before you make the trip.

Answer all questions and fill out the form completely. Do not lie on the forms. It is a felony offense and could result in the loss of your right to purchase firearms indefinitely. You must also pay a small fee (as of 2019, $2 for Virginia residents and $5 for non-residents) for completion of your background checks. This fee is nonrefundable.

Your primary ID must have been issued at least 30 days before the date you purchase the firearm. Your secondary ID is to prove your residence. The address shown must be identical to the one you provide on the transaction form. This ID could be a copy of your lease, a current utility or telephone bill, voter registration card, car registration, or a hunting or fishing license. If you are buying an assault weapon, you must also bring identification that proves your citizenship status, such as a US birth certificate, valid passport, permanent resident card (“Green Card”), selective service registration card, or voter registration card.

If your background check comes back as delayed, the dealer may need to collect additional information from you before selling you a firearm. If the status remains “delayed” for 3 days, the dealer has the discretion to go forward with the transaction.

Virginia does not restrict the number of firearms you can purchase in a single transaction.

Have been convicted of 2 or more misdemeanors in the last 5 years Have been convicted of assault, assault and battery, sexual battery, discharging a firearm in a public place, or brandishing a firearm in a public place within the last 3 years (or have one of these charges pending) Have been convicted of stalking or have a stalking charge pending Have received inpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment in the past 5 years Have been convicted of drunk driving or public drunkenness in the past 3 years

Online, electronic, or video courses are acceptable. There is no live training requirement. If the course issues a certificate of completion, a photocopy of that certificate is sufficient to demonstrate your competence. If the course doesn’t issue a certificate, you can also use an affidavit from the instructor of the course.

You can download the application or pick one up at your local circuit court. If you answer yes to any of the questions about your criminal background, you are required to provide an explanation of your answer and attach any documentation you have regarding that item. Failure to provide complete information could result in denial of your application.

To find the circuit court nearest you, go to http://www. courts. state. va. us/courts/maps/home. html and click on the appropriate part of the state map. You must submit your application at the court in the city or county where you live. There is no requirement that you live there for any specified length of time before applying for a concealed handgun permit.

If the 45-day period passes and your permit hasn’t been issued, the court clerk will certify a copy of your application and send that to you. The certified application works as a temporary concealed handgun permit for up to 90 days, as long as you also have a valid government-issued photo ID.

For example, if you get pulled over for a traffic stop, you might hand over your concealed handgun permit along with your driver’s license and let the officer know that you are carrying. If you are convicted of being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while carrying a concealed handgun in public, your permit will be revoked and you will be barred from applying for a new permit for 5 years.

Provided you still meet the eligibility requirements for a concealed handgun permit, your permit will be renewed. Given that it can take up to 45 days to get the new permit, you may want to apply for a renewed permit a few months before your old one expires if you want to continue to carry.