Visiting Virginia College Campus, Need Gun Law Information

[USA247]

Hey every one, I am new to gun laws since I just got my first semi automatic hand gun this year, I live in Florida by the way. Anyways I am going to be visiting my girl friend in college “In Virginia Of Course“, and I would like to bring it along with me. She lives in an apartment complex owned by the college, which prohibits guns to students and employees, but I see nothing for guest. So my question would be can I keep it in her room, or would that still be illegal. I don’t want to be arrested over some thing like this, so I been searching for a while to find an answer. I found this site, and it seems like it has a lot of knowledge able people. I do not have a permit to carry it around in the public, Florida law lets me keep the firearm in my house or car. I appreciate the help in advance, thanks.

[OakRidgeStars]

For information on transporting firearms in and through Virginia, go to the VA State Police website.

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms.shtm

As far as open carrying a firearm on a college campus, you will need to contact the specific college you will be visiting since each have their own policy. However, I think it's safe to assume that since firearms are prohibited for students and facility, it's probably prohibited for guests as well. My advice would be to leave your firearm unloaded and locked in your vehicle.

[Moccasin]

Try checking here http://www.handgunlaw.us/ also. Although you aren't a resident you shouldn't have a problem open carrying if you wish. State law prohibits firearms on the VCU/MCV campus, but not on all college/university campuses. I've seen Attorney General opinions stating that colleges can prohibit employees and students, but not the general public, from having firearms on college/university property.

If she's at VCU/MCV in Richmond it's illegal for anyone to have a firearm on campus so you can't have it even if you do not attend that school. Anywhere else it's a bit of a gray area since you'll be staying in a college owned building, I think Oak is right that firearms would probably prohibited for guests in that situation.

[USA247]

I appreciate all the help guys, I think I will check on this forum on and off even if I am not a resident of Virginia. I am in my 20’s and just got my first semi automatic hand gun a few weeks back. So I am trying to learn the laws in my state, and others. I guess I am lucky because she doesn’t attend those two colleges, but I will still check to see what the laws are. I just don’t want my gun stolen from my car. I was wondering, what if I left my clips and bullets in my car, and took the gun into the room and kept it locked up? I know the obvious response would still be no, but technically the gun is still not assembled, so how can it be considered a firearm if its not able to fire? I was just thinking about that. I just amazes me how they treat the college students like baby’s when they pay all that money for tuition, they work jobs, and she is over 21, and pays a ridiculous amount for rent for half a year.. I just don’t want this to be a future America, taking rights away from Citizens because they feel like they have the power to. Anyways thanks for the help, if any one has any more advice to post for me please do. And once again thanks, OakRidgeStars and Moccasin for all the help!!!

[Jericho01]

There is no state law concerning carrying guns inside public college campuses in VA although school authorities have policies against carrying (open or concealed) inside their campuses. If you are found to be violating the policy, you may be detained and charged with trespassing. You just don't want this hassle, inconvenience, and publicity.

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I don't want to "feel" safe when I'm in a college campus; I want to be safe, period.

[allingeneral]

I appreciate all the help guys, I think I will check on this forum on and off even if I am not a resident of Virginia.

You certainly don't have a to be a Virginia resident in order to participate in the discussions here. I'm glad that folks here were able to clarify the situation a bit for you. In addition to the advice already given, I would suggest that you make a phone call to the campus and ask them about it without providing any information that could be used to identify you or your girlfriend.

Have a safe trip to Virginia!

[USA247]

Thanks, I appreciate all of the help. Jericho01 I appreciate the advice, I just dont want to be charged with a stupid crime and ending up in Jail. Allingeneral, I will check back and forth on this forum, it has a lot of knowledgeable people on it, and it will grow fast. I will take your advice and try to get as much info as I can, with out providing my information. Thats why I posted here first before I contacted them, because I was affraid they would target my girl friend which isnt fair to her. I will check back and forth on this forum. Thanks for all the help!

[SELFDEFENSE]

USA:

Have you thought about getting a FL concealed carry permit (which has reciprocity with VA)?

[allingeneral]

Have you thought about getting a FL concealed carry permit (which has reciprocity with VA)?

I second that suggestion - however, not sure that it will help with the specific issue of carry on campus.

[USA247]

SELFDEFENSE and allingeneral I aprreciate the help and would look into that.

I have another question.

I live in Florida and I dont need a permit to have a gun in my car, I dont have a permit at all. Is that the same for Virginia, or do I need a permit to have a gun in my car. I have been searching gun rules for Virginia like crazy, and some places the 2nd amendment doesnt apply basically, when it should. The gun laws are vague and unclear, even on the law enforcement web site. Thanks for the help.

Do I need any kind of permit in virginia to have a gun? Its confusing to me.

[Moccasin]

Virginia allows open carry, even in your car. Lay it where any LEO approaching the car can see it. If it's unloaded you can keep it in the trunk or in a locked box in the passenger compartment if you don't have a trunk. The only thing you need a permit for is concealed carry. The only kind of permit needed in VA is for concealed carry or to purchase more than 1 handgun in a 30 day period (waived with CC permit).

[allingeneral]

No permit required to open carry your firearm, loaded, in your vehicle.

The only time you need a permit is to Concealed Carry (CC), in which case, reciprocity agreements between Florida and Virginia makes a Florida CC Permit usable in Virginia and vice versa.

If carrying a gun in your car without a permit, it must be kept in the open and not masked, hidden from view or otherwise concealed in appearance so as to hide its true purpose as a firearm.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... d+18.2-308

a weapon shall be deemed to be hidden from common observation when it is observable but is of such deceptive appearance as to disguise the weapon's true nature.

[Moccasin]

No permit required to open carry your firearm, loaded, in your vehicle.

The only time you need a permit is to Concealed Carry (CC), in which case, reciprocity agreements between Florida and Virginia makes a Florida CC Permit usable in Virginia and vice versa.

If carrying a gun in your car without a permit, it must be kept in the open and not masked, hidden from view or otherwise concealed in appearance so as to hide its true purpose as a firearm.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... d+18.2-308

a weapon shall be deemed to be hidden from common observation when it is observable but is of such deceptive appearance as to disguise the weapon's true nature.

Federal law allows for transportation of an unloaded firearm if in the trunk of the vehicle or in a locked box in the passenger compartment if the vehicle has no trunk. The law was written to allow transportation from one state to, or through, another without having to worry about complying with multiple state laws.