Requirements for Purchasing a Firearm in Virginia:

 

Note: These requirements, and a background check, apply whether purchasing a firearm, transferring a firearm, or picking up your unsold consigned firearm.

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With all firearms sales and transfers: if any staff member at Sauers & Sons Firearms feels uncomfortable with the sale, we reserve the right to deny the transfer or sale of the firearm and return the firearm to the seller.

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Primary  ID:

 

Primary Identification consists of a VA Drivers license or DMV-issued Photo ID that is more than 30 days old. The ID must have the current and correct name and physical address for the cardholder. A copy of the purchaser’s DMV driver’s record showing that the original date of issue for the license was more than 30-days prior will suffice if the license has been re-issued, or the person has changed addresses.

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Primary Identification for a non-VA Resident, for the purchase of a rifle or shotgun, must consist of a valid driver’s license or photo-ID issued by a governmental agency of the prospective purchasers home state that denote the purchasers name, race, sex, date of birth and current address. Federal law prohibits the sale or transfer of a handgun to a nonresident of the state in which the handgun is being purchased.

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A social security card or birth certificate IS NOT an acceptable form of Primary identification. A birth certificate is, however, good for proof-of-citizenship for “assault firearm” purchases.

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Address Verification:

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Virginia State law requires a second form of identification to verify the buyer’s address. This second form of ID must have a name and address that matches the buyer’s primary ID.

 

Acceptable documents include:

• concealed Handgun Permit

• a current lease

• evidence of currently paid personal property tax or real estate tax

• a current utility or landline telephone bill

• a bank statement

• a current voter registration card

• a current bank check

• a current automobile registration

• a current hunting or fishing license

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Assault Firearm Transfer:

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An assault firearm is defined as any semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that is equipped at the time of sale with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition, equipped with a folding stock, or designed to accommodate a sound suppressor/silencer. Shotguns with a magazine able to load seven or more rounds of the longest shell it can chamber are also considered assault weapons.

 

Proof of citizenship, or of lawful admission for a permanent residence, must be established prior to the purchase of an “assault firearm.” One of the following forms of proof of citizenship or lawful residence, pursuant to 18.2-308.2 must be presented to purchase an assault firearm:

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• a certified birth certificate or certificate of birth abroad issued by the US State Department

• an un-expired US Passport

• a U. S. citizen identification card

• a current voter registration card

• a current selective service registration card

• an immigrant or registration card issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service

• a certificate of citizenship or a certificate of naturalization issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service

 

Transfer of Firearms to Non-Citizens:

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In addition to the requirements listed above, non-citizens have an additional requirement to purchase or transfer a firearm. Depending on your status, in addition to the two forms of identification, you:

 

Permanent Residents (“Green Card” Holders): are required to bring a current, valid Green Card with you.

Non-immigrant Aliens (Visa Holders): are required to bring their I-94 Departure Record and bring documentation showing an exemption to the prohibition on non-immigrants possessing a firearm:

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• a hunting license or permit lawfully issued in the United States

• a waiver from the prohibition from the Attorney General of the United States