Virginia rejects Wisconsin concealed carry permits

Gun toters who have Wisconsin concealed carry permits nestled next to their firearms will lose their right to carry concealed in Virginia as of Feb. 1.

Attorney General Mark R. Herring, a Democrat, decided to end recognition of concealed carry permits issued by Wisconsin and 24 other states because their concealed carry laws are weaker than Virginia's, according to the New York Times. (Wisconsin does not now recognize Virginia's permits.)

Virginia's concealed carry law has numerous  disqualifiers "designed to prevent potentially dangerous or irresponsible individuals from being able to lawfully conceal handguns," Herring's office said in a statement. States losing Virginia concealed carry recognition do not have similar conditions.

Folks disqualified from Virginia concealed carry include those who:

• have been ordered by the courts to receive outpatient mental health treatment, who have received inpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment, or who have been adjudicated legally incompetent, mentally incapacitated, or not guilty by reason of insanity;
• are subject to restraining orders, or to protective orders;
• have been convicted of stalking or have pending stalking charges;
• have been convicted of any assault, assault and battery, sexual battery, discharging of a firearm or brandishing of a firearm within the three-year period immediately preceding the application, or who have pending charges for any of the above;
• have been convicted of a felony or have felony charges pending;
• have been convicted of two or more misdemeanors within the five-year period immediately preceding the application;
• are addicted to, or are unlawful users or distributors of, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, or any controlled substance;
• have been convicted of driving under the influence within the three years prior to the application;
• the court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, based on specific acts by the applicants, are likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to endanger others;
• whose juvenile adjudications would have constituted felony convictions if committed by an adult;
• are aliens other than aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
• are fugitives from justice;
• have been discharged from the armed forces of the United States under dishonorable conditions.