Wythe County, Virginia, Sheriff Anthony R. Cline announced Monday he will no longer collect the $35 fee charged by his office for concealed carry permit applications. In a letter to the circuit court clerk, Sheriff Cline said the move reflects his commitment to protecting constitutional rights—not profiting from them.
“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 sheriff wrote. “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.”
Cline’s decision eliminates the largest portion of the total fee Virginia allows for processing concealed handgun permit applications. According to the Virginia State Police, the full cost can include up to $10 for the court, $35 for law enforcement background checks, and $5 for processing by the State Police, for a maximum of $50. By refusing to collect the $35 fee, Cline’s move drops the total cost of obtaining a permit in Wythe County to just $15.
“Removing this fee reflects my commitment to supporting law-abiding gun owners and upholding the principles of the Second Amendment,” Cline added in the letter.
Sheriff Cline’s decision comes amid growing scrutiny over local and state-imposed fees that some gun rights advocates argue deter citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights. By taking this step, Cline joins a growing number of sheriffs nationwide pushing back against what they see as unnecessary bureaucratic barriers to legal firearm ownership.
His action has been welcomed by Virginia gun owners and constitutional conservatives, who see it as a firm stand in favor of protecting rights without burdening law-abiding citizens.
