Concealed carry in Colonial Williamsburg

[SHMIV]

Ended up at CW again this week (Saturday, 12-10-2011). Visited even more shops and covered more territory, along with bigger crowds. Once again, I carried my pistol in the open, as I do not yet have a CCP. And, once again, not so much as a dirty look.

However, after leaving CW and visiting another shopping center, I did get a negative reaction from some girls in a popular department store, yet nothing was said. They saw my sidearm, stopped in their tracks and then headed off in a different direction. All I could do was laugh.

CW, in my opinion, is an open carry friendly area. Just be sure to stay off of W&M campus property.

Just curious, what was the other shopping center that you were in? I ask, because I live in Williamsburg, and I'm trying to gauge the reactions that I may get as I go about my merry way, lol.

[IOpenCarryAndIVote]

Just curious, what was the other shopping center that you were in? I ask, because I live in Williamsburg, and I'm trying to gauge the reactions that I may get as I go about my merry way, lol.

I don't know the name of the center, but it is the one with Martins, Target, School Crossing and Wild Birds Unlimited (I mention these because I visited all of them, plus the Chik-Fil-A). It is about 1-2 miles past New-Town, headed away from W&M.

The businesses I visited did not have an obvious problem with my open carry, it was simply two girls (late teen to early twenties) in Target that reacted while shopping. Other than their negative reaction, all I got was quick, curious glances. That said, the employees at Target, and all the other businesses I visited, did not even seem to notice. That is one thing I love about VA, carrying a sidearm is seen as normal.

I am educating myself of the exact VA laws, and have learned much in the past few weeks. The reason I carry open is so that anyone with a curiosity may approach me and receive accurate information. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the only verbal reaction (outside of my small business) was from an older lady, recently widowed, who was interested in how to legally carry a sidearm. I still plan to get a CCP, but mostly just so that I can wear a coat during the winter months and still be legal, otherwise, I plan to carry open whenever possible.

[jmelvin]

The wife and I were out at Colonial Williamsburg back in October and we both OCed all over the village with no issue at all. In fact while on our way back to the entry building we ran across another OCer who was up visiting from NC. Although we didn't do much shopping in that particular area, my OCing didn't bother anyone in the hotel where we stayed.

[TenchCoxe]

If you OC, I hope you use a retention holster. Just within the past two weeks, there was a guy here in Richmond who was OC'ing, and a 16 year-old kid came up behind him in a convenience store and grabbed his gun. The guy ended up unarmed and was shot to death. Not clear yet whether the kid used the guy's own gun or another one, but the kid and his scumbag 15 year-old buddy then went on to shoot and kill another guy. The police are still working on whether they used the original OC guy's gun or another gun. Either way, the guy was OC'ing, which the 16 year-old subhuman piece of filth saw and grabbed, which lead directly to the guy's death.

Remember - concealed means "concealed." So you wouldn't have to answer any of these questions regarding what's allowed in CW or any of the stores. I have carried concealed in all kinds of stores with nary a comment or question, because, after all - it was concealed. Nobody knew I had it. Not worried about somebody trying to make a grab for it.

Please, though - I do not intend to fire up the whole debate about whether OC is superior to CC or whatever. Just offering up a couple thoughts and observations. Everyone has to decide what they prefer and what they are comfortable with.

[IOpenCarryAndIVote]

First, I am very thankful that, at least in VA, the debate is whether OC or CC is better, rather than the debate over whether guns should be legal or not. At least we are on the right track as far as gun rights.

You bring up a great topic, however. Each person has to look at the facts and decide for themselves how to carry. I choose OC right now, because I do not have a CCP, and I have to, however, I will still generally carry open once I get my CCP.

Regardless of what type of self defense you prefer, gun, knife, martial arts, etc, the very first rule to safety is situational awareness. I am always aware of what is going on around me. I have been this way for many years, and it has kept me out of harms way. I always keep my right hand free, and am ready to grab anything that comes close to my firearm. I do keep it in a retention holster that has a thumb snap and is very awkward to unsnap unless the holster is on your hip. You would actually have to use two hands to get my gun from me. But first, you would have to get close enough.

I plan to get my CCP next month, so that I can conceal if the situation calls for it (large crowds, lots of curious people, etc).

[SHMIV]

I don't know the name of the center, but it is the one with Martins, Target, School Crossing and Wild Birds Unlimited (I mention these because I visited all of them, plus the Chik-Fil-A). It is about 1-2 miles past New-Town, headed away from W&M.

Funny, I report to work at the little strip mall across the street; I can't think of that shopping centers name, either.

Incidentally, I was concerned with the reaction from that particular center, so I'm glad to know that you had no issues there. Thank you.