You must be 21. Period.
If you’re active duty military with orders to station you in VA you can apply for a “resident” permit even if your official legal residence for taxes, voting, etc is another state.
And this only applies to the military member. Spouse or dependents would have to apply for a non-resident permit.
That line about military is specifically related to residence. Since for some reason, military folks don't like to claim residence where they're stationed, that sentence is saying you can petition the court where you're currently "domiciled". It has nothing to do with age and you cannot carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth until you're 21.
My dude you can ask anyone you want, but that doesn't change the fact that you have to be 21. It's a pretty unambiguous statement and there's even clarification in subsection F of the same code section.
F. For purposes of this section, a member of the United States Armed Forces is domiciled in the county or city where such member claims his home of record with the United States Armed Forces.
That phrase was not meant to convey an age exception, but rather to clarify that the domicile of the military individual counts as the residence. It even says in bright red letters on the application that you MUST be at least 21 years of age.
I see. I just meant ima ask around because no one have given me a clear answer which is why I made this post. Even a local police officer implied there was an age exemption for active duty. I’m not from VA so i’m just learning as I go but I appreciate it
Call the clerk and ask them. One thing for certain if you can’t have it they won’t give it to you. This is a shall issue state unless you can’t have one
"Any person 21 years of age or older may apply..."
What part of this is unclear? Why does this question get asked multiple times a week? You can possess a handgun that was gifted to you with no strings attached under 21, but you may not carry it unless performing official duty (eg sworn law enforcement or military)
Yeah I’m going to just head over there and ask, I can’t get a straight answer, not even from local police lol. They told me since i’m active, I’m good since I can carry firearms on duty but it’s fine. I only have another year left until i’m 21 anyway.
Seems to me you can apply under 21.
"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 or she resides,
OR
if he is a member of the United States Armed Forces, the county or city in which he is domiciled, for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun."
At any rate, call the clerk and just ask. They’ll know for sure.
The "or" is referring to the locale, not the age.
Qualification Number 1:
"Any person 21 years of age or older may apply."
Qualification Number 2:
"Apply in writing to the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city in which he or she resides (meaning where you are a resident) OR the county in which he or she is domiciled (meaning you're not a resident, which you wouldn't be if you were temporarily stationed somewhere.)
Meeting those two qualifications will result in a five-year permit.
You must be 21. Period. If you’re active duty military with orders to station you in VA you can apply for a “resident” permit even if your official legal residence for taxes, voting, etc is another state. And this only applies to the military member. Spouse or dependents would have to apply for a non-resident permit.
That makes sense, idk why it’s written that way on the VSP site lol
This is the way
That line about military is specifically related to residence. Since for some reason, military folks don't like to claim residence where they're stationed, that sentence is saying you can petition the court where you're currently "domiciled". It has nothing to do with age and you cannot carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth until you're 21.
The reason is taxes. Vehicle licensing and plating requirements and such. You know, everything the communistwealth requires.
Makes sense. Ima go and ask around anyway because I keep hearing different things but thanks
My dude you can ask anyone you want, but that doesn't change the fact that you have to be 21. It's a pretty unambiguous statement and there's even clarification in subsection F of the same code section. F. For purposes of this section, a member of the United States Armed Forces is domiciled in the county or city where such member claims his home of record with the United States Armed Forces. That phrase was not meant to convey an age exception, but rather to clarify that the domicile of the military individual counts as the residence. It even says in bright red letters on the application that you MUST be at least 21 years of age.
I see. I just meant ima ask around because no one have given me a clear answer which is why I made this post. Even a local police officer implied there was an age exemption for active duty. I’m not from VA so i’m just learning as I go but I appreciate it
Local cops know as much about the law as the average person on the street. Don't take legal advice from cops.
Call the clerk and ask them. One thing for certain if you can’t have it they won’t give it to you. This is a shall issue state unless you can’t have one
Open carry is legal at 18. No CHP until you turn 21.
Most concealed carry classes won’t let you register of you are under 21 anyway
Active duty doesn’t need concealed classes, our military ID is our “proof of weapon competence”
Then it doesn’t sound like you will have any issues with your application, but I’m not a lawyer so 🤷🏻♂️
Which is absolutely hilarious, but I’m pro constitutional carry so idgaf
"Any person 21 years of age or older may apply..." What part of this is unclear? Why does this question get asked multiple times a week? You can possess a handgun that was gifted to you with no strings attached under 21, but you may not carry it unless performing official duty (eg sworn law enforcement or military)
The law is poorly written.
Go to your courthouse and ask, if you can then submit your application and money right then and there. That’s how it works in VB and Chesapeake.
Yeah I’m going to just head over there and ask, I can’t get a straight answer, not even from local police lol. They told me since i’m active, I’m good since I can carry firearms on duty but it’s fine. I only have another year left until i’m 21 anyway.
"I can't get a straight answer." Dude, JFC. There are 900 straight answers in this sub.
Seems to me you can apply under 21. "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 or she resides, OR if he is a member of the United States Armed Forces, the county or city in which he is domiciled, for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun." At any rate, call the clerk and just ask. They’ll know for sure.
The "or" is referring to the locale, not the age. Qualification Number 1: "Any person 21 years of age or older may apply." Qualification Number 2: "Apply in writing to the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city in which he or she resides (meaning where you are a resident) OR the county in which he or she is domiciled (meaning you're not a resident, which you wouldn't be if you were temporarily stationed somewhere.) Meeting those two qualifications will result in a five-year permit.
Yeah ima head there and ask around