Out-of-state concealed handgun permits; reciprocity.

Out-of-state concealed handgun permits; reciprocity.Reinstates the prior law providing that the holder of an out-of-state concealedhandgun permit who is at least 21 years of age is authorized to carry aconcealed handgun in Virginia if the other state (i) has a 24-hour-a-day meansof verification of the validity of the permits issued in that state and (ii)has requirements and qualifications that are adequate to prevent possession ofa permit by persons who would be denied a permit in Virginia. Under currentlaw, the holder of an out-of-state concealed handgun permit who is at least 21years of age is authorized to carry a concealed handgun in Virginia if (a) theother state has a means of verification of the validity of the permits issuedin that state, accessible 24 hours a day, if available; (b) the person carriesa government-issued photo identification and displays it upon demand of alaw-enforcement officer; and (c) the person has not previously had a Virginia concealedhandgun permit revoked. The bill states that the Attorney General shall (1)determine whether states meet the requirements and qualifications of the bill,(2) maintain a registry of such states, and (3) make the registry available tolaw-enforcement officers for investigative purposes. The bill further requiresthe Attorney General to review the determinations of whether states meet therequirements and qualifications of the bill and update the registry accordinglyevery two years. The bill removes the requirement for the Superintendent ofState Police to enter into agreements for reciprocal recognition with otherstates that require an agreement to be in place before the state will recognizea Virginia concealed handgun permit as valid in the state and provides that theAttorney General may enter into agreements for reciprocal recognition with anystate qualifying for recognition. The bill also reinstates the recognition ofcertain Maryland concealed handgun permits and eliminates the requirement thatthe Superintendent of State Police enter into agreements for reciprocalrecognition of concealed handgun permits or licenses with other states whereagreements were in existence on December 1, 2015.