OC in NoVA - share your experiences

[lyellowdragonl]

so i finally did it, OC on my motorcyce LOL man the expression on people faces = priceless

[baz]

so i finally did it, OC on my motorcyce LOL man the expression on people faces = priceless

[allingeneral]

What were you OC'ing? Was it a holstered pistol, or did you have a shotgun slung to your back? It might be fun to try the latter

[novasig226r]

Needed a hair cut, so went for one right after leaving the range.

Store: Hair Cuttery
Location: Leesburg (off Battlefield Pkwy and Hwy 7 near Moe's)
Reaction: no one blinked

Score: first impressions were positive. I give it

I felt a bit self-conscious and had no idea what the ladies were saying in their language, but staff and customers alike were chatty and friendly. I had a few laughs with everyone - a real casual time.

[lyellowdragonl]

What were you OC'ing? Was it a holstered pistol, or did you have a shotgun slung to your back? It might be fun to try the latter

i was carrying a Glock 22 with a blackhawk stage2 hoslter. it seems to be very stable, no movements. i havent gone by a cop yet but once i get a CHP ill try so if they pull me over saying it concealed it wouldnt be a problem

[novasig226r]

OC'ed at the Leesburg Petsmart on E. Market. No problems.

A store clerk came down the isle I was in and smiled, said "hello" and I returned the pleasantries. She didn't seem to notice/care.

I had a carton of cat food under my (weak-side) arm behind a woman and her son. They had a buggy with several items. They offered to let me go ahead of them since I "only have one item and wouldn't take as long" as they would. Since they were (now) behind me, they were able to clearly see my Sig as I paid for the kibbles.

Score:

[zephyp]

I live here in occupied Springfield and am getting ready to start an OC campaign. My fiance, Young, is Korean and we frequent Korean restaurants in Annandale. These are the real deals owned and operated by Koreans. The food is good and cheap and the service is great.

My plan is to OC in every place we visit and have Young speak to the owner if we have a problem. I've prepped her to explain that if they agree I will make sure they are advertised throughout the gun owner community especially the VCDL which has regular meetings in Annandale. Right now they usually eat in Fudruckers which is about the only gun friendly place around these parts.

Young knows alot of these folks and I'm hoping to capitalize on that and the fact that many are very curious about guns and gun rights. I see Asians frequently in gun stores and at the range. The Korean community here is large and influential. Who knows. We might be able to gain some real ground in NOVA.

[novasig226r]

I'm beginning to think that OC in Leesburg is pretty painless.

My wife and I went to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's on Edward's Ferry Road. Wait about 3-4 minutes for a table. During the course of dinner, I had radar on to try and see if anyone was freaking out. Didn't appear to be the case. I sensed a few eyes in my direction, but I'm expecting that. A gun is, after all, still an uncommon sight to see day-to-day if it is not strapped to a LEO. Our server even asked, "Police?" Of course, I told him no and that I was just a citizen. We chatted a bit and he said he was from New York and that he was waiting to hear from DHS for a LEO position. I gave him VCDL information and a few websites to check for other security related jobs.

We then went to Petsmart to get (yet more) kitty food. Our kittens are pigs, I'm convinced. We did our thing and rolled on out. No one seemed to care.

In neither case did I hear any hushed voices saying "gun".

This has been a pleasant experience to OC so far.

Both places:

I've noticed in all four of my OC ventures, a warm smile and friendly "Hello" seem to make people not notice (or pay more than a glance at) my gun. Anyone sporting a firearm and a nasty demeanor would make me wonder about safety too.

And anti's still fear mass shootings and gunfights because law-abiding citizens carry?

[zephyp]

I'm beginning to think that OC in Leesburg is pretty painless.

Come on over for lunch one day in down town Alexandria. Leesburg is a cakewalk.

[alby]

I'm beginning to think that OC in Leesburg is pretty painless.

My wife and I went to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's on Edward's Ferry Road.

I love Loudoun County.

I would say that what typically will reduce your chance of being thought of as a crazed gun wielding nut,
is how you handle yourself and your overall demeanor. If you appear to be smartly dressed and don't appear
to be a fool, everybody will naturally assume you are a Law Enforcement Officer. Likely an undercover LEO.
So it would be unlikely that anybody would scream "Ohh God, Man with a Gun, Run!!!!" lol And it only
seems like the people who work in restaurants ask if you are a LEO because, I suspect, you get a discount
or something on your food. That's just a theory I have going.

Now if you are going to Open Carry and decide that today you want to wear, how should I say it,
"street clothes", and appear to be somewhat unprofessional looking, chances are the equation of your
attire/appearance and a gun will jog somebody's thought process that you are a thug, gangster, or
crackpot. As such, they'll most likely be falling over themselves to call the cops.

Now as for doing anything with a gun in Alexandria or Arlington, you are just asking for trouble.. lol
That place really is the mecca of liberalism. Not to mention, there is lots of Federal Property in that
area, and its all too easy to accidentally be standing on the wrong piece of ground with your firearm.
I'd say if you are going to OC in that part of Virginia, make sure you map out your every step. Be sure
to have your permit and license in an area that you can reach, without appearing to draw your weapon.
And make sure you've got time to kill, if/when, the police decide to question you for hours, just to give
you a hard time.

[novasig226r]

I'm beginning to think that OC in Leesburg is pretty painless.

Come on over for lunch one day in down town Alexandria. Leesburg is a cakewalk.

Since the experience of OC is so varied across the Commonwealth, or NoVA even, I can understand why new gun owners are hesitant to carry. When I had my first go at OC, I was sure the cops would come racing, guns drawn, with me spread-eagle praying that I wouldn't get shot.

To be honest, I'm still a bit paranoid about having some itchy, caffeinated, over-stressed, recently mugged gas station attendant will pull on me just because I've got my Sig on me. Yeah, it's irrational I suppose but you just don't know until a situation happens.

[zephyp]

I'm beginning to think that OC in Leesburg is pretty painless.

Come on over for lunch one day in down town Alexandria. Leesburg is a cakewalk.

Since the experience of OC is so varied across the Commonwealth, or NoVA even, I can understand why new gun owners are hesitant to carry. When I had my first go at OC, I was sure the cops would come racing, guns drawn, with me spread-eagle praying that I wouldn't get shot.

To be honest, I'm still a bit paranoid about having some itchy, caffeinated, over-stressed, recently mugged gas station attendant will pull on me just because I've got my Sig on me. Yeah, it's irrational I suppose but you just don't know until a situation happens.

As I said, you are more than welcome to come join me for lunch in downtown Alexandria. You can OC if you like. I'll CC, thank you very much. Oh, and if you OC then please sit at least two tables away...

[hak]

OC'ed in a Shoppers Food Wharehouse in Manassas. No one made a fuss at all. Only a few did a double take when looking my way. I do not look too dangerous. Had a 1911 in a shoulder rig. More comfortable on a hot day.

that's a visual

i was IWB with my G19 and the family was driving around errand day and we decided to go into Cheescake factory, i saw nothing posted so i went in, but took off my long coat and tucked my shirt inside the firearm so it was plainly in sight. i drank coke, no beer of course. i did sit with my right hip "into" the booth, figuring, no reason to make a spectacle. as we were leaving the hostess did see it and did a doubletake, as we hit the doors i pulled up my shirt out and over and jacket went on. my wife did a "oh now, you showed it!?" me: had to, alcohol served on premesis. so it wasn't paraded but it was noticed.

[allingeneral]

Welcome aboard hak. Keep on

[hak]

thanks Rick.

[gunderwood]

My wife and I have OC in Fairfax quite a bit. I usually don't unless we are at a restaurant, but my wife does all the time. If you are spending money, most places could care less. Generally, most people don't notice unless you are wearing something that really contrasts with the gun. Those that do generally assume you are a government of some sort. Can't count the number of times my wife has been asked what agency she works for. Was harassed at the Wal-Mart in Central Park Fredericksburg once (out of many trips), but that was mostly because the worker behind the counter kept saying how much she hated guns, etc. and generally wasn't helpful.

Never been harassed by local or state police, but the large number of paper pushing Feds are another story. I assume they are paper pushers because of their fitness...not exactly 15 min mile types if you get my drift. The one FBI agent was the worst; arrogant and disrespectful. Didn't know the law from a hole in the ground.

Generally, if you are polite and just going about your business, you will have no problems. Local and state police never had a problem with. The feds are mostly offended that a subject...I mean citizen would do such a thing and they tend to harass you. Play the game and you won't have any trouble.

[LFS]

Had to perform the Virginia tuck at Sweet Rice in Falls Church this evening. I don't think anybody noticed, or if they did they didn't say a word. I also have to do that every time I go into Flippin' Pizza (the one in Falls Church as well). Nobody has ever said anything.

[allingeneral]

I OC'd my S&W .40 in my IWB holster (Virginia Tuck with a good amount of steel showing) today and got quite a few looks at GameStop in Central Park, Fred'burg. I think I even saw a couple of people poke their heads around the shelves at one point to get a look. Went on to Cheeseburger in Paradise for dinner and no second looks there, but it was a pretty quick in and out, sitting in a booth with my strong side in. I've OC'd at CBIP several times previously with never a comment or strange look.

[BluemontGlock]

OC'd in Sterling all last week...

I had gotten a black nylon snap holster that was small enough to grab the P22 and hold it tight...

With a dark shirt on with a black nylon holster and black pistol sticking out...my cohorts told me that they could barely see it and it was only obvious when you could really see the outline of the grip...

The P22 is comfortable and light to have on your side... My Glock is awesome, and find the laser max hard to beat...but it wieghs a bloody ton compared to the Walther, and will leave me with a mark if i wear it in the car for an extended period of time...

and i just got a IWB holster for it too...but open carry is so easy, why not...

[Flavet]

Probably most you are members of VCDL and receive their e-mail notifications. They O/C just about everywhere they go; in fact, they won't go someplace if it claims to be "gun free." That's a place where only criminals are allowed to be armed. If you're not a member, you ought to be. http://www.vcdl.org