Washington Post announced that Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced that they will be no longer recognize out-of-state concealed handgun permits. This affects 25 states. Agreements will remain with West Virginia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. Six states will sever their reciprocity immediately as they require mutual recognition of permits. Those states are Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wyoming.

Visitors to Virginia can still carry guns openly or obtain a nonresident permit if they meet the standards set forth in the law for residents.

Herring’s rationale is to close off a work around for VA residents who have a history of stalking, drug dealing or inpatient mental health treatment. People with these conditions would be prevented from obtaining a concealed carry permit. However they could go get a non-resident permit from another state with lax laws.

We all know this won’t stop criminals. But more importantly this will affect law abiding citizens. So if you plan to visit Virginia anytime in the near future, make sure that you can conceal carry legally.