|
Smyth County Clerk of
Circuit Court Office
Concealed Handgun Permits
Obtaining a
Concealed Handgun Permit
• Applications are available in the Clerk's
Office from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Applications may be filed in the
Clerk's Office between 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Applications are also available through the
State Police at the following web site:
www.vsp.state.va.us.
• Persons wishing to obtain a concealed handgun
permit must apply in the City or County of their residence (i.e.,
only Smyth County residents may apply through the Smyth Circuit
Court).
• Applicants must appear in person and present a
driver's license or comparable photo I.D.
• First-time applicants must provide proof of
competency with a handgun. Individuals holding permits in other
states who wish to obtain a permit from this Court must provide
proof of competency with a handgun as well.
Acceptable Means by
Which to Demonstrate Competence with a Handgun are as Follows:
1. Completing any hunter education or hunter
safety course approved by the Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries or a similar agency of another state;
2. Completing any National Rifle Association
firearms safety or training course;
3. 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;
4. Completing any firearms safety or training
course or class available to the general public offered by a
law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or
public institution or organization or firearms training school
utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or
the Department of Criminal Justice Services;
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 this Commonwealth or a locality thereof,
unless such license has been revoked for cause;
7. Completing any governmental police agency
firearms training course and qualifying to carry a firearm in the
course of normal police duties; or
8. Completing any firearms training or safety
course or class conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle
Association-certified firearms instructor;
9. Completing any other firearms training which
the court deems adequate.
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 which shows completion of the course or class or
evidences participation in firearms competition must be provided.
• Renewal applicants must provide a copy of their
existing permit to avoid having to provide proof of competency with
a handgun.
• The processing fee is $40. Payment may be made
by cash, check or money order (payable to the Circuit Court Clerk).
Debit and credit cards are not accepted for the payment of such
fees.
• Processing of these applications can take up to
45 days. The Sheriff's Office performs background checks and then
forwards this information to the Circuit Court Judge who enters an
order either granting or denying the permit.
• Applicants will be advised as to when to
contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to check on the status of
their application.
• Permits must be claimed in person between 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applicants must present a
driver's license or comparable photo I.D. to receive the permit.
|
