What do I need to get the Virginia firearm rights restoration process started?
In all of my initial consultations, this question inevitably comes up. There are three main things you will need to provide your attorney with before the restoration process begins.
1.) Have your political restoration paperwork from the Governor’s office handy. I like my clients to either bring a color copy to my office, or to scan a color copy in and email it to me. The restoration order acts as evidence to the court and the Commonwealth that your political rights have been restored, which is a statutory requirement of having your gun rights restored.
2.) Compile a resume of sorts that includes your: employment history (going back 15 years or to your 18th birthday) including employer’s name, employer’s location, your title, and the number of years employed; post-high school educational history, broken down by the degree-granting institution, type of degree received, and years as an active student; family involvement, including if you are engaged or married (how long), if you have children and/or grandchildren (how many, what ages), and if you own or rent your home; community involvement, meaning any and everything of note (ex.: church membership, coach of a youth team, leader of a youth group, volunteer work, member of local organizations, etc.); and motivations for restoration, or the reason driving you to file your petition (my clients are normally driven by hunting/recreational use, self-protection/family protection/home protection, firearm contingent employment opportunities, and being a whole citizen again).
3.) Make financial preparations for the retainer and filing fees. For all of my restoration work, I charge a flat-fee that is discussed during the initial consultation. Additionally, there will be filing fees associated with your petition ranging from $82.00 to $98.00, depending on the jurisdiction.
Once a client provides me with the three items listed above, I make every effort to have their petition for restoration filed within 48 hours of our initial meeting.
Seth P. Saunders, Attorney at Law
