Virginia’s approach to firearms records checks does not infringe on an individual’s ability to purchase or possess a firearm, while those individuals who are prohibited by State or Federal law are denied legal access to firearms. The Virginia Department of State Police developed and administers the Virginia Firearms Transaction Program© (VFTP). This program was the first of its type in the nation. Virginia was able to implement this program because the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) maintained by the Virginia State Police is one of the most complete records repositories in the nation and provides the database for the VFTP.
Firearms Transaction Center Help Desk
Phone: (804) 674-2292 or (804) 674-2788
Email: firearms@vsp.virginia.gov
Mailing Address:
Department of State Police
P.O. Box 85608
Richmond, VA 23285-5608
ATTN: FTC
Attention All Firearms Purchase Applicants
On March 26, 2014, the United States Supreme Court decided in U.S. v. Castleman, Case No. 12-1371, that Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(9), a firearms disqualifier for the misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, is satisfied by the degree of force that supports a common-law battery conviction. This decision effectively overrules the 4th Circuit decision in U.S. v. White, (2010 4th Circuit Court), that ruled a Virginia domestic assault conviction was not a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence because it did not satisfy the “physical force” requirement. Individuals convicted of an offense that meets the federal definition of domestic violence are prohibited to possess firearms under federal law.
Based on this ruling a previous firearms purchase approval does not ensure continued approval.
The State Police background check for the purchase of a firearm includes the enforcement of both state and federal law.
Private Sale Background Checks No Longer Available / Required
In compliance with the injunction and final order entered by the Circuit Court for the City of Lynchburg in Raul Wilson, Wyatt Lowman, Virginia Citizens Defense League, Gun Owners of America, Inc, and Gun Owners Foundation v. Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, CL25000582-00, October 29, 2025, “[t]he Virginia Department of State Police, and all law enforcement divisions, agencies, and officers within the Commonwealth, to include their successors or replacements in office, are hereby permanently enjoined and prohibited from administering; enforcing, or otherwise imposing upon any person the requirements of, the Act (Va. Code § 18.2-308.2:5).”
The Order prohibits the State Police from running, or assisting in the running, of private sale background checks pursuant to the provisions of § 18.2-308.2:5.
Virginia law currently does not require, and VSP will not provide, criminal history background checks for the private sale of firearms.