Richmond, Virginia — During the 2026 session of the Virginia House of Delegates, Delegate Jason Ballard introduced House Bill 106. The legislation focuses on reducing the maximum fee that local law enforcement agencies may charge to process concealed handgun permit applications. Under the bill’s provisions, the overall maximum fee for obtaining a concealed handgun permit would drop from $50 to $25. At the same time, the maximum amount local law enforcement could charge specifically for conducting the background check portion of the application would be cut from $35 to $10.
The measure addresses a fee structure that originated in an earlier period of the permitting process. At one time, the $50 maximum permit fee included an allocation of approximately $25 directed toward the FBI for fingerprinting applicants. In 2012, the General Assembly repealed the fingerprinting requirement for concealed handgun permit applicants. Despite this change in procedure, the maximum fee cap remained unchanged until now. Delegate Jason Ballard has pointed out that the existing law dates from the fingerprinting era. With current digital processes in place, the fee structure should reflect those modern methods.
Background checks under the updated system are quick and efficient for most applicants. Many sheriffs in Virginia now perform these checks at no charge because the associated costs have decreased with technological improvements. A maximum fee of $10 for the background check component would more than cover the expenses in the current streamlined environment. This adjustment moves the relevant statutes into the 21st century, where various legal documents can be submitted online without the need for older, more costly methods.
HB106 aims to align permitting fees more closely with the actual costs of background checks and administrative work. Supporters of the bill have stated that this approach ensures the fees do not exceed necessary expenses. One supporter explained that the bill reduces the maximum concealed handgun permit fee from $50 to $25 by lowering law enforcement background check costs. This reform promotes fairness by ensuring that permitting fees reflect actual administrative expenses rather than acting as a financial barrier to the exercise of a constitutional right.
Additional supporters have emphasized that HB106 reduces the maximum fee that local law enforcement agencies may charge to process a concealed handgun permit. By aligning the cost more closely with the actual costs of background checks and administrative work, the measure represents a common-sense reform. This reform ensures that permit fees do not become a financial barrier for citizens exercising their lawful rights, particularly for lower-income Virginians seeking to responsibly obtain a permit. The legislation would make concealed handgun permits more accessible to the working poor living in expensive areas.
Further comments in support of the bill note that the monetary burden for exercising the right to bear arms should be as low as possible so everyone can participate. The measure would put a stop to overcharging by local agencies in some instances. Supporters also highlight that the bill promotes uniformity in state law. This uniformity ensures that citizens are not subject to a patchwork of local rules that can create confusion and unintended consequences.
The bill was considered by the House Committee on Public Safety, specifically in the Firearms subcommittee. Proponents presented the legislation as an affordability reform designed to update the permitting system. Delegate Jason Ballard advocated for the changes during committee review, stressing the evolution from fingerprint-based requirements to digital methods that reduce processing time and costs.
HB106 was introduced in conjunction with related proposals, including HB692, which also revises concealed handgun permit fee structures. These companion efforts seek to streamline and reduce costs associated with lawful carry in the commonwealth. Organizations such as the Virginia Citizens Defense League have reviewed the bill favorably. Their analysis states that HB106, sponsored by Delegate Jason Ballard, lowers the maximum concealed handgun permit fee from $50 to $25 by lowering the maximum local law-enforcement can charge. The review notes that the original maximum permit fee was set at $50, which included approximately $25 to go to the FBI for fingerprinting applicants. In 2012 the General Assembly repealed the fingerprinting requirement but never got around to reducing the maximum permit fee accordingly. This change is long overdue according to the analysis. Background checks are now quick and easy for most applicants, causing many sheriffs in Virginia to do the background checks for free. Ten dollars should more than cover the costs of the background check. This moves the law into the 21st century, where all kinds of legal documents can be submitted online.
Supporters from groups including Women for Gun Rights have echoed these points in public submissions. They argue that the reform aligns fees with actual expenses and removes potential economic obstacles for individuals who wish to obtain permits in accordance with state requirements. The proposal maintains all existing eligibility criteria and background check safeguards while adjusting only the associated fees to better reflect contemporary efficiencies.
The bill advanced to the subcommittee level for detailed examination. During the review process, proponents focused on how the fee reduction would facilitate greater access for responsible applicants across Virginia. By lowering these costs, the legislation would have supported citizens in complying with permitting laws without imposing undue economic strain.
Following the subcommittee deliberations, the panel voted to pass the bill by indefinitely in a 7 to 3 decision. This action, which occurred last month, effectively ended further consideration of HB106 for the 2026 session. Despite the outcome, the proposal highlighted ongoing discussions about updating regulatory fees in line with procedural changes made over a decade ago.
The history of the concealed handgun permit system in Virginia includes requirements for background checks to verify that applicants meet eligibility standards. HB106 would have preserved these safeguards while addressing the fee components that had not been revised since the 2012 repeal of fingerprinting. Many localities already conduct checks efficiently and at minimal or no cost, demonstrating that lower caps would not disrupt the process.
Supporters have noted that the bill would complement efforts to ensure permitting remains accessible. For residents in areas with higher living costs, even modest savings from a reduced maximum fee could make a meaningful difference in their ability to secure a permit. The measure focuses exclusively on fee adjustments without altering any substantive requirements for permit issuance.
As the session continued, the details of HB106 provided a clear example of legislative efforts to modernize specific provisions of state law. The sponsor and backers consistently framed the changes around updating outdated elements from prior decades. With background checks now handled through efficient digital means, the previous fee levels no longer matched the operational realities faced by local law enforcement agencies.
Public input on the bill included multiple statements underscoring its potential benefits. One comment specifically supported HB106 because it reduces the maximum concealed handgun permit fee from $50 to $25 by lowering law enforcement background check costs. Another reinforced that the reform ensures permit fees reflect actual administrative expenses. These statements were submitted during the committee’s public comment period and formed part of the record for the legislation.
The proposal by Delegate Jason Ballard sought to create a more equitable system for those navigating the concealed handgun permit application process. By capping fees at levels that cover current costs, the bill aimed to prevent fees from exceeding what is required for the administrative tasks involved. This approach would have benefited applicants statewide while maintaining the integrity of the permitting framework.
In summary, HB106 represented a targeted update to Virginia’s concealed handgun permit fee rules based on changes implemented in 2012. The bill’s provisions for lowering the total maximum to $25 and the background check portion to $10 were presented with reference to the shift away from fingerprinting and toward faster digital methods. Supporters across multiple submissions and analyses consistently described the measure as a necessary adjustment to remove financial barriers and align fees with actual expenses. Although the legislation did not advance beyond the subcommittee stage, its introduction and the arguments advanced in its favor provide a record of these specific policy considerations during the 2026 session.
