Source: https://www.edmundmichielaw.com/gun-firearm-rights-restoration-virginia.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 20:36:40+00:00

Document:
In District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008), the United States Supreme Court decided that the Second Amendment does in fact protect a private citizen's right to bear arms, despite the lead-in clause referencing militias.
Indeed, Virginia has severe penalties for any felon convicted of transporting or possessing firearms, ammunition, or a number of other weapons. See Va. Code § 18.2-308.2. Such a conviction is itself a new felony and can carry years of mandatory prison time, depending on the facts. Id.
Individuals convicted of felonies as adults (and those whose right to bear arms was affected by adjudications of delinquency as a juvenile) can petition to get a "permit" from the Circuit Court to restore their 'right to bear arms.' Those with a felony convictions must, however, have already gotten their other civil rights restored by the governor. Thereafter, to be successful at convincing the court to restore gun rights, the petitioner must establish "good cause" in order for the judge to grant such a permit.
Establishing "good cause" can be challenging. Each case is viewed on its own facts. Prosecutors consider everything on a person's criminal record, as well as general facts about the way the person has lived his or her life. The court also will want to understand why the individual even desires to possess firearms. It can be very difficult to convince some judges to grant such a permit.
I have successfully helped many clients get their 'right to bear arms' restored.
​Loss of ​"the Right to Bear Arms."
In Virginia, individuals who have had certain adjudications of mental health problems are no longer permitted "to purchase, possess, or transport a firearm." Violation of this prohibition is generally a misdemeanor. Some individuals I have represented were not aware that the treatment they were receiving was the result of an order, so they did not realize that they had lost their right to possess and transport firearms under state law.
Va. Code § 18.2-308.1:1. Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearms by persons acquitted by reason of insanity; penalty.
​Va. Code § 18.2-308.1:2. Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm by persons adjudicated legally incompetent or mentally incapacitated; penalty.
Va. Code ​§ 18.2-308.1:3. Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm by persons involuntarily admitted or ordered to outpatient treatment; penalty.
"If the court determines, after receiving and considering evidence concerning the circumstances regarding the disability referred to in subsection A and the person's criminal history, treatment record, and reputation as developed through character witness statements, testimony, or other character evidence, that the person will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and that the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest, the court shall grant the petition. "
​ I have successfully helped individuals restore their "right to bear arms" when they are not/no longer considered (by their mental health care providers and people who know them) to present a danger to themselves or others. Call me, and we can discuss your situation to see if I can help you.
Other convictions can also affect a persons "right to bear arms."
​Va. Code § 18.2-308.1:4 - makes it illegal for individuals who are the subject any of a number of types of protective orders "to purchase or transport any firearm while the order is in effect." The penalty for violation can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the facts.
"Any person who, within a 36-consecutive-month period, has been convicted of two misdemeanor offenses under subsection B of former § 18.2-248.1:1, § 18.2-250 or 18.2-250.1 shall be ineligible to purchase or transport a handgun. However, upon expiration of a period of five years from the date of the second conviction and provided the person has not been convicted of any such offense within that period, the ineligibility shall be removed.
1995, c. 577; 2011, cc. 384, 410; 2014, cc. 674, 719."

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