← Virginia firearms laws›Duty to Inform Police

Virginia Duty to Inform Police Laws (2026)

Conditional: You do not have to tell an officer you are armed or have a permit.

ConditionalVerified Oct 12, 2026

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You do not have to tell an officer you are armed or have a permit. If you carry concealed on a permit, you must have it on you and show it, with a government photo ID, when an officer demands it. Out-of-state permit holders must likewise carry photo ID and show both on demand. Failing to show a Virginia permit is a $25 civil penalty, which a court may waive if you later show a valid permit.

Official source: law.lis.virginia.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Duty to Inform Police in states bordering Virginia

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

District of ColumbiaConditional
The District of Columbia has a proactive duty to inform: if an officer initiates an investigative stop, a concealed-pistol licensee must disclose that they are carrying, present the license and registration certificate, identify where the pistol is, and comply with orders — including the officer taking possession of it (D.C. Code § 7-2509.04(d)). The duty extends to other licensees present who are carrying.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: code.dccouncil.gov · Full District of Columbia rule →
KentuckyInfo
No. Kentucky has no duty to tell an officer you are armed, and no permit is needed at 21 or older. A license holder must carry the license whenever carrying concealed and show it if an officer asks; a violation is a $25 noncriminal penalty. The statute does not say whether this reaches out-of-state licenses, so the cautious reading is that it does.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandInfo
Maryland has no statutory duty to inform: its wear-and-carry statute (Pub. Safety § 5-308) only requires the permit holder to carry the permit whenever carrying, and the current text has no volunteer duty and no display-on-demand clause. A permit is still required to carry a handgun at all.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
North CarolinaConditional
North Carolina has a duty to inform. When an officer approaches or addresses you, you must disclose that you hold a valid permit and are carrying a concealed handgun. Carry your permit and valid identification at all times and show both when an officer asks. Treat this as applying to out-of-state permit holders too.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: ncleg.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
TennesseeConditional
Tennessee law does not require you to tell an officer you are armed. A Tennessee permit holder must keep the permit on them and show it when an officer demands it. An out-of-state permit holder must also have the permit on them.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →
West VirginiaInfo
West Virginia law does not require you to tell an officer you are armed, and it does not require you to carry or show a license. A visitor who relies on an out-of-state permit, instead of permitless carry, must have the permit in immediate possession.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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