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A NewsChannel 3 investigation looks into your gun and your rights

Posted at 7:25 AM, Feb 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-09 08:15:37-05

More people are packing heat, according to Virginia State Police. But do they know where they are allowed to carry their guns?

A NewsChannel 3 investigation looks into your gun and your rights.

Virginia State Police say more people are getting concealed handgun permits than ever before -- some for protection and others out of fear.

"All the attacks that have been happening in the United States," said Joseph Plair who attended a recent gun show in Hampton.

Many people are buying guns for the first time.

“I have never carried a gun; there’s just so many home invasions," said Sandra Edwards.

The increase is causing law enforcement to do more background checks.

Capt. Joseph Willard with Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of conducting background checks the county.

“It’s your signature that’s on there, if something goes wrong, you’re gonna be the one criticized so for that sometimes it’s a hard choice,” he says.

And the laws keep changing in Virginia.

“Politics has a big part of it," says Virginia Citizens Defense League member Michael Williams.

So do gun owners know where they are allowed to carry guns in Virginia?

"I think there is a lot of confusion," said Shawn Cline, a gun rights attorney.

A NewsChannel 3 investigation looks at your gun, your rights, tonight on NewsChannel 3 at 11.