CHAPTER 438
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-308.02 and 18.2-308.06 of the Code of Virginia, relating to concealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence.
[H 916]
Approved April 8, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 18.2-308.02 and 18.2-308.06 of the Code of Virginia are 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 a handgun shooting class or United States Concealed Carry Association firearms safety or training course that teaches (i) efficient, effective, and responsible use of a concealed handgun for self-defense outside the home; (ii) state laws pertaining to handguns; and (iii) proper handgun storage techniques ;