Chairman Stewart Proposes Eliminating Concealed Handgun Fees

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Chairman Corey Stewart speaks during a 2015 Chairman's debate at Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas. Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart speaks at the 2015 Prince William Chamber of Commerce/ Northern Virginia Community College Chairman's Debate in Manassas.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman At-large Corey Stewart (R) announced a controversial proposal to eliminate all county concealed handgun permitting fees.

If passed, Prince William County will be the first locality in Virginia to eliminate permit fees, and Stewart expects other jurisdictions may do the same.

According to Stewart’s media release, he believes the proposed policy would benefit all of the law-abiding citizens who pass existing state background checks and meet state statutory requirements for the issuance of the permit.

Stewart insinuates the proposal is a response to Attorney General Mark Herring's (D) announcement that Virginia would no longer recognize out of state concealed handgun permits.

"I support the rights of Prince William County citizens. Look no further than here in Virginia, where our current Attorney General has put gun owners in a position of defending the exercise of their Second Amendment rights rather than expanding them,” said Stewart. “This policy allows well-qualified citizens to freely exercise their Second Amendment rights. Eliminating the fee will remove another barrier for our citizens."

Stewart says the Prince William County Sheriff and Clerk of the Court have been recognized for offering citizens high levels of service, including the timely processing of concealed handgun applications.

Gun control issues are among the most highly divisive in the nation and in purple Virginia. Generally, Democrats want somewhat stricter gun control laws to keep guns out the wrong hands; while, Republicans believe responsible gun owners can help protect a citizenry from criminals with guns.

Republicans currently control Prince William County's Board of County Supervisors, making it likely that the legislation will pass.

Stewart recently accepted a position to chair Donald Trump's presidential campaign in Virginia.

Stewart was first elected as Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in 2006. He was reelected in November of 2015.

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