My first OC in VA Beach

[NickFac]

So it was sunday night, and i was helping a friend and his mom move. They lived with a drunk who I knew to own a gun and a temper so i figured it a good idea to bring my XD-45. Durring the move we stoped a few times at 7-11s and Citgo's all of which i carried my handgun in with me. No on even looked at me at all, I was kinda surprised.

So after the move was done we decided to hit Walmart for a few things. The friend I was with was a bit scared of me carrin into walmart but i had had my gun with me all night and won't taking it off then. Felt kinda... i don't know.. special to have it lol...
We walk in and head straight to the back to the gun section for me to pick up some cleaning oil. The old man back there stoped me and asked me about my gun, just wondering what kind how i like it and what not. After we were finished shopin we went to pay for our things up front. It would just so happen that there was a lady cashing out registers. I seen her look at me, then down to my hip where my gun was holstered. So I smiled and waved, and she did the same back before she walked away. Maybe it was just me but it seemed she looked like she felt a bit safer seeing me in there.. All in all a great experience.

I just took my CC class but I think once I do get it i'm still going to OC. I like it.

[allingeneral]

The great thing about having a CHP is that it's your choice at that point. Without a CHP, it's a good (lawful) idea to make certain that it's open all the time.

I carry my revolver in a belt holster at 3 o'clock. It's not all that easy to conceal that way, but I don't worry about it much. I know that I'm good to go whether it's concealed or not. I do remain aware of its status at all times, however. I conceal under my shirt sometimes (let my shirt hang over), I tuck my shirt behind it and open carry sometimes. I reach for something on the top shelf and open carry sometimes. If it's open, I am alert to who's standing behind me.

[JacobDW]

you will be surprised at the amount of people you run into who have no idea your packing, even when OC. people these days are jsut not vigilant, it will teach you to be more warry and vigilant in crowded areas and pick out 'suspect' persons etc. people in public are like sheep... just wonder around with eachother with thier noses to the ground...

[OakRidgeStars]

It sounds like your first OC experience was a good one, but don't be surprised when someone overreacts and tells the store manager that there's a "man with a gun". The cops are usually pretty cool about it as soon as they see that you're not causing a problem. But it's still a little annoying to have to deal with.

That's why I rarely OC any more. A while back, I OC'd in the Walmart at Princess Anne & Lynnhaven. I don't think anyone gave it a second look.

[VBshooter]

I 've OC"d in several stores in the Beach and really haven;t been given a second look from anyone,,I do agree with JacobDW that people are just like sheep and either aren;t aware of their surroundings or just don;t care, Once you start carrying your awareness definitley heightens and you see a lot more than you used to,..

[Nathan]

The few times I've openly carried have been entirely uneventful. Most people simply don't pay attention. Those that do probably assume you are in LE. I would recommend making sure you are carrying in a good retention holster when doing it OC style. Don't want to make it easy for someone to do a gun grab.

Typically, the only times I OC now are in restaurants that serve alcohol. (thanks for dropping the ball Governor Kaine )

[NickFac]

Yea, I totaly agree with the whole sheep logic. It seems like no one wants to know what is going on around them and just be left alone in there own little world.

I see myself paying alot more attention to the things around me aswell, just today for instance I noticed a man CCin in a store on vabeach blvd, he reached for his bill fold and there it was lol.

I look forward to getting my CC license because I get tired of loading and unloading my pistol when moving to and from my vehicle... This way i can have it on my hip at all times.

Oh, and my carry position is around 3 o'clock allso, and i currently use the stock XD holster. I find it comfortable and a semi easy draw when it needs to be done. As for securing it from a "gun grab" situation, yea the holster lacks there...

[allingeneral]

You don't have to unload your firearm when you get in the car...just make sure that it's within sight and not "concealed" in any way. If you're using a belt holster I can understand the issue...so how about buying another cheap holster to keep it in while you're in the car, then reholster it on your belt when you get out. I wouldn't suggest leaving it in your vehicle unholstered at any time.

[NickFac]

I may be wrong on this but i could swear I read that when transporting you're firearm in a vehicle it must be unloaded and the ammo must be in seperate compartments for it to be legal. If it is loaded and within reach of the driver it's considered concealed... I'ma reread the stat police site to make sure.

[herohog]

When in a car, it CAN be loaded and left in the open on the dash or a seat. When you are open carrying, simply leave it in it's holster on you. Otherwise, put it on the seat or dash. If you have a CCW permit, wear it or put it in the glove-box or on the dash or seat. IMHO, the dash is a bad choice.

[OakRidgeStars]

When in a car, it CAN be loaded and left in the open on the dash or a seat. When you are open carrying, simply leave it in it's holster on you. Otherwise, put it on the seat or dash.

If you do not have a CHP, and you're open carrying, the weapon must remain in plain sight at all times. That includes when you're in a car. The weapon should be lying on the passenger seat, either in or out of a holster.

[Moccasin]

I may be wrong on this but i could swear I read that when transporting you're firearm in a vehicle it must be unloaded and the ammo must be in seperate compartments for it to be legal. If it is loaded and within reach of the driver it's considered concealed... I'ma reread the stat police site to make sure.

That applies when travelling across state lines. If you have CHP even that changes a bit. In VA it can be loaded and within reach of the driver as long as it is in plain sight and you are legally able to carry it, with a CHP it doesn't have to be in plain sight.

[allingeneral]

I may be wrong on this but i could swear I read that when transporting you're firearm in a vehicle it must be unloaded and the ammo must be in seperate compartments for it to be legal. If it is loaded and within reach of the driver it's considered concealed... I'ma reread the stat police site to make sure.

Nick, here is how I understand it. Please know that IANAL, but my review of the law indicates thus:

Virginia Code 18.2-308 (Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry) applies only to Concealed Carry. So, if your firearm is in the open and plainly visible at all times, it does not apply. Therefore, nothing within this section of code applies to Open Carry.

This section of code reads, in pertinent part: "If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon [...] he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. [...] For the purpose of this section, 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. "

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Virginia Code 18.2-287.4 - (Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty) restricts the types of firearms which may be carried, but is exempted by the CCW code previously mentioned.

This section of code reads, in pertinent part: "It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol [...] 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 or (b) shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered on or about his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public 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. "

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As long as your open carry of a firearm is within the bounds of 18.2-287.4, and as long as your carry remains open at all times in accordance with 18.2-308, then you are legal.

[Vahunter]

Some counties do restrict the carrying of loaded long guns in a vehicle during hunting season.

[NickFac]

Ok Thank a bunch for all of you're information. Specialy General for breaking it down for me. Just as it happens I spoke with a cop today while at work. He told me that YES you're weapon has to be unloaded while you are transporting it if you do not have a CC pemit. Being as you just showed me the actual laws that would pertain to this matter, i'm going to write him off as another "misinformed" officer of the law. I had a fealing it was kind of weird to be able to carry a loaded weapon in public but have to unload it when you get into your personal vehicle. So it makes sense. Thanks alot!!

[allingeneral]

Some counties do restrict the carrying of loaded long guns in a vehicle during hunting season.

True. Long guns are a separate subject - especially during hunting season. Best to keep long guns unloaded when transporting on public roads.

Scroll down to page 16 of the following link for more info on county ordinances pertaining to long guns.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/re ... erfile.pdf

[NickFac]

On this subject... You would not belive how many people are asking me if what I am doing is legal... I got into an arguement today with a family member.. He insists that OCin a loaded handgun in suffolk VA is illegal. Being as I have read VA state law and it says otherwise I try to point out that he is wrong, and explain how VA law overrides the laws made by the city. (Thanks again general.) But he won't hear none of it. I guess some people just belive they know it all.


One more question. Having a bullet chambered, is that legal aswell? I have heard things about that... There seems to be alot of speculation and not to many facts... Every question I ask i have searched for an answer first and can either not find a deff' yes or no on the matter...

[allingeneral]

When I carry my revolver, it has a bullet "chambered", eh? A great many people who carry 1911-style pistols carry them in condition 1, which is magazine loaded, a round in the chamber, hammer cocked and safety engaged (also known as "Cocked and Locked").

The law doesn't draw a distinction between carrying a handgun loaded or unloaded. What would be the point in carrying an unloaded weapon anyway?

Good luck explaining things to the family. You could always print out some of the links that we've provided and show them the laws in black and white. There's no arguing against black and white

[Bob]

Carrying a loaded gun better be legal, it's the only way I would carry one.

If you are not going to carry with a round in the chamber you would be better off leaving it home.

[Nathan]

Agree with Bob. One in the pipe is the only way to fly.