Chesterfield County VA Firearm Rights Restoration Lawyer • 1500+ Reviews
Many Americans cherish their constitutional right to bear arms. Firearm rights in Virginia are not absolute and can be lost. Firearm rights can be lost as the result of a felony conviction, a misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence, a mental health commitment or adjudication and an active protective order are some of the leading causes. However, the loss of the right to possess, purchase, and transport a firearm does not necessarily have to be permanent. Our Chesterfield County VA firearm rights attorneys regularly represent clients before the Chesterfield Courts who wish to restore their firearm rights. The legal process to restore gun rights can sometimes be confusing and intimidating. Let us review your case. We can help!
Related Chesterfield Defense Pages
- Chesterfield County Overview
- Chesterfield Criminal Lawyer
- Chesterfield Expungement Lawyer
- Chesterfield DUI Lawyer
For broader statewide guidance, see our Virginia Firearm Rights Restoration page.
Experienced Gun Restoration Attorneys in Chesterfield County VA
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established local Chesterfield County VA law firm that specializes in restoration of firearm rights cases. Our lawyers possess over 60 years of combined legal experience. We are recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report. We wrote the Virginia Gun Law book. Our lawyers will review your case and determine what can be done to successfully restore your firearm rights. We frequently get calls from folks that ask “I want to restore my firearm rights.” Unfortunately, there are circumstances where there realistically may be no remedy. Our firm has been positively reviewed more than any other law firm that represents clients with Chesterfield County firearm rights restoration cases.
Chesterfield County Law Firm to Restore Gun Rights
Chesterfield Circuit Court Felony Conviction Gun Restoration
A Virginia state felony conviction is a common type of event that triggers a loss of firearm rights. Our Chesterfield County gun rights lawyer will review your case and petition the Chesterfield Circuit Court for firearm rights restoration if that is the appropriate Circuit Court. The proper court for is determined based on residency or place of last conviction for non-residents. Clients must first restore their civil rights before a firearm rights petition can be filed. Cases involving a prior mental incapacity as defined by Virginia law require petitioning the General District Court. The Commonwealth Attorney is the respondent and may object to the Petition. Firearm right restorations from other states are recognized as reciprocal.
Lost Firearm Rights Under Federal Law Essentially Have No Remedy
The federal agency that is responsible for processing federal firearm restorations has not been funded since 1992. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are barred from possessing a firearm according to federal law 18 U.S. Code § 992 (g)(9). This is the rare case where a state conviction triggers a loss of rights under federal law. In either case, the only remedy is a full and absolute pardon from the respective chief executive. Va. Code 18.2-308.1:8 pertains to assault & battery of a family or household member convictions that occurred on or after July 1, 2021. This law has its own restoration provision. Our Chesterfield County VA firearm right attorneys can help you assess your case.
Chesterfield Virginia Gun Rights Restoration GRANTED by Circuit Court
Our client lost his gun rights in 1995 when he was convicted of a state felony drug offense. Our client rebuilt his life and eventually restored his civil rights. NOTE: The law requires that a firearm rights petitioner first have his civil rights restored by the governor’s office. The lawful reason that our client wanted to restore his firearm rights was for self-defense. We prepared our client’s restoration of rights petition and properly filed it in the Circuit Court because of the residency requirement. The Commonwealth’s Attorney objected to our petition being granted. We nevertheless convinced the Judge to GRANT the petition. Our client’s firearm rights were restored. Click on Case Result Image to see actual Court Record.
Chesterfield County VA Firearm Rights Attorney and Protective Orders
There are various types of protective orders. The Chesterfield Courts along with the Magistrate’s Office can issue protective orders. It is unlawful to knowingly possess, purchase or transport a firearm in Chesterfield County with an active protective order. This includes protective orders from other states with substantially similar laws. A concealed handgun permit becomes invalid during an active protective order. The law allows for a 24 hour period to lawfully sell or transfer your firearms to an eligible recipient or to surrender to Chesterfield law enforcement if you become subject to an active protective order. Our Chesterfield VA firearm rights attorney can help you with any issue you may be having with your gun rights and a protective order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chesterfield Firearm Rights Restoration
What court handles firearm rights restoration in Chesterfield County?
Many Chesterfield firearm rights restoration petitions are filed in the Chesterfield Circuit Court, especially when restoration is sought after a felony conviction and civil rights have already been restored. Some cases involving a prior mental incapacity as defined by Virginia law may instead require a petition in the General District Court depending on the basis for the loss of rights.
Do I have to restore my civil rights before petitioning to restore firearm rights?
In many felony-based restoration cases, yes. Restoring civil rights is often a required step before a firearm rights petition can be filed. The proper sequence and the right court depend on why the firearm rights were lost in the first place.
Can all lost firearm rights be restored through the Virginia courts?
No. Some situations may have no realistic remedy through a Virginia court petition alone. The answer depends on the underlying reason for the loss of rights, including whether the issue arose from a felony conviction, a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, a mental health adjudication or commitment, or another legal disability.
Does living outside Chesterfield County prevent me from filing there?
Not necessarily. In some restoration matters, the proper court may be determined by residency or the place of the last conviction for a non-resident. The correct filing location depends on the type of restoration sought and the facts of the underlying case.
What should I have reviewed before starting a Chesterfield firearm rights restoration case?
It helps to review the prior conviction or disqualifying event, any order restoring civil rights, the court records from the original case, and the reason firearm rights were lost under Virginia or federal law. Those details can help determine whether there is a viable path forward and which court should be involved.
Contact us for a confidential review of your case!
5/25/2024 | Updated 4/3/2026