Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273; TTY 711
SAFETY ALERT – If you are in danger, call or text 911.
If you have been served with a final protective order in Fairfax County, you cannot have, carry, or buy a gun.
You have 24 hours to do the following:
- Take your gun to the Sheriff’s Office.
- Sell or give your gun to a dealer; or
- Sell or give your gun to anybody legally allowed to have a gun.
If you have a concealed carry permit, you must give the permit to the court that issued the final protective order.
Protective Order Firearm Certification:
- You must complete the firearm certification in 48 hours.
- Hand over your gun and confirm that you have done so on the certification form.
- File this form with the Clerk of the Court that issued the protective order.
How Do I Turn Over My Gun?
- Make an appointment with the Sheriff’s Office by calling 703-246-4405. (The Sheriff’s Office can store your gun safely.)
- Bring your unloaded gun, a copy of the final protective order and your government-issued ID.
- You and your gun will be checked for outstanding warrants.
- You gun will be inventoried, and you will get a receipt, called a Weapon Forfeiture form.
- You gun will be stored until the final protective order expires or is dismissed.
Do:
- Call ahead.
- Unload the gun.
- Separate the gun, magazine, and ammunition.
- Place the gun in your trunk.
Don’t:
- Bring a loaded gun into the Sheriff’s Office.
- Bring ammunition with you.
- Bring a gun to court.
How Do I Get My Gun Back?
- After the final protective order has expired or been dismissed:
- Make an appointment with the Sheriff’s Office by calling 703-246-4405.
- Bring your government-issued ID, a copy of protective order dismissal, the final protective order, and the Weapon Forfeiture form.
After all checks come back negative, your gun will be returned.