Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I understand that you may be 18 and Open Carry in VA. However what are the limitations on pistols? I have spent the last 5 months reading about it getting conflicting answers. I understand you must be 21 to purchase handguns, and handgun ammo, but what are the limitations on open carrying a handgun? Thanks

754053kmr wrote:I understand that you may be 18 and Open Carry in VA. However what are the limitations on pistols? I have spent the last 5 months reading about it getting conflicting answers. I understand you must be 21 to purchase handguns, and handgun ammo, but what are the limitations on open carrying a handgun? Thanks

18 is the minimum age. You can find all the details at http://opencarry.org/va.html

754053kmr wrote:. I understand you must be 21 to purchase handguns, and handgun ammo,

From a dealer.

but what are the limitations on open carrying a handgun?

That's a WIDE open question... specific questions will get you better answers.

I have spent the last 5 months reading about it getting conflicting answers

Would have been nice if you told us what the conflicting answers and questions were. My mind-reading skills suck.

I'll start with some suggested reading, and go from there.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... 18.2-287.4
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... 18.2-308.1

Be polite, be courteous, and go out of your way to avoid conflict. Be willing to be a good ambassador of the gun owners. People WILL ask questions. If you get approached/hassled by law enforcement, be SUPER polite, and courteous. Remember, the place for a vigorous discussion of your rights is not on the street with a LEO. The place to argue your rights is with someone from the bar representing you, and telling the story to a person in a black robe.

If you are going to carry make sure you are willing to use what you carry, and you have the financial resources to mount a defense if you have to do so.

Oh the other big suggestion... don't be an ass.

21 to purchase from a dealer. You can purchase privately at the age of 18 and can Open Carry at the age of 18.

Conflicting answers like
-You must be 21 to open carry a handgun
-Can't carry without the supervision of a parent
The one thing I don't understand is the first code you gave me. Is that stating what the old California law used to be(You may not open carry a loaded handgun)? Or does it mean that you may not open carry a handgun with a magazine larger than 20 rounds?
Thanks.

754053kmr wrote:The one thing I don't understand is the first code you gave me. Is that stating what the old California law used to be(You may not open carry a loaded handgun)? Or does it mean that you may not open carry a handgun with a magazine larger than 20 rounds?
Thanks.

That code section only applies to specific localities mentioned: Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.

Note that the restriction is lifted if you have a Concealed Handgun Permit.

I cannot get a CCW for 2 years- I live in Loudoun County. So does that mean that I cannot carry a loaded handgun? or is it applying to the magazine size?

open carry a firearm that has no restricted features as described in 18.2-287.4(a):

"semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock"

a *chp* (no such animal as a cwp in va) holder is exempted from the restrictions in 18.2-287.4(a) and (b).

754053kmr wrote:-You must be 21 to open carry a handgun

Incorrect. You must be 21 to buy from a dealer. 18 to posses.

-Can't carry without the supervision of a parent

Applies to those under 18.

The one thing I don't understand is the first code you gave me. Is that stating what the old California law used to be(You may not open carry a loaded handgun)? Or does it mean that you may not open carry a handgun with a magazine larger than 20 rounds?

Thats a reasonably straight forward piece of law.... let me paraphrase for you.

"It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol...with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition. ...in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William. "

Does that make it more clear?

Unless you have a large extended mag, there is virtually no pistol you are likely to own and cary that will get you in trouble with that law.

the only thing that makes 18.2-287.4(a) kinda complicated is that it only speaks to "semi-auto... centerfire...", so one could carry a high-cap mag equipped *rimfire* firearm and not be in violation.

Yeah that all seems to sum it up--Thanks.

You may find this class beneficial - http://proactiveshooters.com/general-co ... rry-in-va/