Covington VA –-(Ammoland.com)- We’ve had reports that Botetourt County is photographing CHP applicants and that applicants are required to come to the Circuit Court Clerk’s office in person to pick up their newly issued permits.
NEITHER OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS IS LEGAL
I spoke with Sheriff Sprinkle about the photographs and he assured me that no one is REQUIRED to submit to being photographed. I pointed out that applicants should not even be asked to be photographed, as most people would probably not know they had the right to refuse. He stated that no one will be asked to submit to being photographed.
The Circuit Court Clerk, Tommy L. Moore, told me he would begin accepting renewals through the mail and would mail the permit to the applicants.
(Applicants can request to have their permits picked up in person, if they so choose.)
If you live in Botetourt County or if you know gun owners that do, and are applying for a concealed handgun permit, spread the word (and this applies to all other localities, too):
1. If told or asked to submit to being photographed, REFUSE to do so and contact VCDL, even if they end up giving you your permit without the photograph
2. If the Clerk does not accept **renewals** through the mail, contact VCDL
3. If the Clerk requires you to pick up your CHP in person instead of mailing it to you, contact VCDL
4. If the Clerk requires you to provide your drivers license (or other photo ID) so they can photo copy it, REFUSE and contact VCDL. The only reason the Clerk’s office can ask for photo ID is if they are notarizing your application. You can avoid that by having your bank notarize it.
About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org