Residents of one Virginia county are getting a financial break when they apply for a concealed carry permit in the future.
That’s the word this week from Wythe County Sheriff Anthony R. Cline, who announced that his office will cease collecting a controversial fee to grant constitutional rights that citizens should already enjoy.
Sheriff declared that it was not his job to profit from citizens exercising their constitutional rights
Cline was very specific in his missive to the circuit court clerk on Monday. “I am writing to formally notify you that effective immediately, the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office will no longer collect the Sheriff’s fee associated with concealed handgun permit applications.”
The lawman added, “As Sheriff, I do not believe citizens should be charged to exercise their constitutional rights. My duty is to protect those rights, not to profit from them.
The refusal to collect the fee drops the total cost for an applicant from $50 to $15.
More law enforcement officials need to stand up for the Second Amendment
The protocol followed by Virginia State Police to issue a concealed carry permit involves the court collecting $10 as an application processing fee, the state police charging $5 for processing, and up to $35 for “local law enforcement agencies.”
Virginia allows anyone 21 years of age or older to apply for a concealed handgun permit.
2022’s U.S. Supreme Court Bruen decision reaffirmed the fundamental right to carry a firearm for self-defense away from the home.
This proper ruling set in motion many corrective actions, including this one by Sheriff Cline. Governments should not be in the business of erecting barriers between the good people and their constitutional rights.
Kudos to this lawman for standing up for his constituents and telling the state that he would no longer collect arbitrary fees. Fundamental freedoms should not carry price tags.
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