Reciprocity and Recognition

Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit Reciprocity and Recognition

As of July 1, 2016, pursuant to VA Code § 18.2-308.014, the holder of a valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state1 may carry a concealed handgun in Virginia provided all of the below conditions are met:

  1. The holder of such permit or license is at least 21 years of age.
  2. The permit or license holder carries a valid photo-identification issued by a government agency of any state or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of State.
  3. The holder displays the permit or license and the government issued photo-identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer.
  4. The permit or license holder has not previously had a Virginia concealed handgun permit revoked.

Although the law requires Virginia to grant recognition to all states that issue permits, those states may not authorize Virginia permit holders to possess a firearm in their state.
Prior to traveling citizens should contact a representative of the state they intend to travel through to determine if that state will recognize their Virginia resident or nonresident concealed carry permit, or visit that state’s website for guidance.

Other Concealed Carry Issues

Virgin Islands Concealed Carry

Persons should contact the United States Virgin Islands Police prior to bringing a firearm into the islands.

Office of the Commissioner
Criminal Justice Complex
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802

(340) 715-5519 (St. Thomas)
(340) 712-6058 (St. Croix)

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-277)

Virginia honors the provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-277) for active and retired law enforcement officers. Active officers must present a photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is employed as a law enforcement officer. Retired officers must present a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer; and a certification issued by the State in which the individual resides that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State to meet the standards established by the State for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.

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1§ 1-245. State. "State," when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.