Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I open carry locally all the time. But when I go to the big city I conceal because I really don't want the hassle.

allingeneral wrote:How will you Alexandrites ever make it more "OK" to OC if you don't do it? As long as you're on the right side of the law, who cares how much attention it garners? More attention might be better since that will help to get the word out that it's legal. If it attracts attention, use it to your advantage and educate someone.

Good point Rick and you are spot on. Maybe I'll start using George's routine and OC when I take the evening walk with Young and munchkins.

I would like to add to Rick's statements, If you openly carry your handgun then carry yourself in an openly confident manner. You are a living billboard open to the publics view and need to act in a profesional manner, Don't look or act like some maniac spoiling for a fight with the first person that gives you a funny look. I've found acting relaxed around people ,even if they are conscous of the weapon tends to relax them also,You are not doing anything illegal and by carrying that gun should also consider yourself an educator to the uneducated and a representative of the rest of the law abiding gun owners in Virginia. Stay in control if you confronted and act accordingly.

and one more thing - stay alert at all times to who is around you, how close they are to you, etc. If someone is inside my personal bubble, especially if they're standing behind me (i.e. waiting in line, etc), I have a habit of letting my right arm hang down beside my body with my wrist/forearm in contact with the butt of my weapon, essentially securing it to myself and giving it a bubble of its own to live in.

Only at VCDL events with others.
Otherwise I CC in Arlington, lest the politico top LEOs have a cow.

I don't know. Northern Virginia in itself is so densely populated, overly populated. So many people from so many different countries and cultures. I just don't know how well it would go. I've wanted to. I admit it. I just don't know how well it would be received around here. The LEO's in general tend to have short fuses. I'm not saying all of them so don't start that up. I said in general. If I ever grow a pair and venture out with said weapon strapped to said hip, I'll make darn sure I've got ZERO PLANS for the evening because it could get very long.

There have been a couple of OC incidents in Fairfax County in past which place the FCPD in a defensive (embarrassing?) position for not knowing VA state law. I haven't heard of any OC or CC incidents recently so I assume they (FCPD) had some refresher course for their officers. I plan to ask my LE friends at our next FC Citizens Police Academy Alumni meeting if here have been any recent OC incidents and how they've been handled.

I've seen a young Asian guy walking with his girl around the parking lot of Fair City Mall in Fairfax City while OC'ing. I can't remember if I was CC'ing at the time as I do most of the time in FFX county. I just don't want to draw any unwanted attention. I also want the element of surprise to be on my side. It's just me.

I OC when I attend VCDL's monthly membership meeting and we end up at Fuddruckers for the Fellowship.

i've never open carried except for around the house. We had a guy breaking into homes in the area during daylight so i OC'd around the house all day. I haven't seen anyone OC'ing in the winchester area. Not sure on what attention i would get, all i know is winchester went blue last novemeber

Do you who OC choose a holster with any level of retention? Any concern that some goofball will try and take your gun?

Lexington wrote:Do you who OC choose a holster with any level of retention? Any concern that some goofball will try and take your gun?

To OC in a holster w/o retention is suicide.

The only holster I've got (that I like - don't we all have a drawer full of holsters we don't like?) is an OWB with a thumb break. When I holster shop (which seems to be all the time lately), I want a holster that is leather, has a thumb break, covers the trigger, and rides a little low (easier for my girlish figure ). Given that nearly any time I go out to eat, I have to OC, I just make sure the holster is OC-worthy.

I have a new toy to open carry with, Its a sig p226 40 cal 12 round job with crimson trace sights,.. had to give a lotta bubble gum wrappers to get that gun.

I have a Sig 228 I carry often,,,I love that gun,, The 226 is a great peice and I am sure you'll like carrying it,,,Something about the little extra weight of them that gives a comforting secure feeling when carrying one,..

VBshooter wrote:I have a Sig 228 I carry often,,,I love that gun,, The 226 is a great peice and I am sure you'll like carrying it,,,Something about the little extra weight of them that gives a comforting secure feeling when carrying one,..

Nothing more comforting than the weight of cold steel (or plastic) in your hand.

Lexington wrote:Do you who OC choose a holster with any level of retention? Any concern that some goofball will try and take your gun?

I don't. I use the same holster I use for CC.

...same here (SIG P226) in a Galco three-slot holster with thumb-break for both OC and CC; at the 1630/1700 position (depending on available belt-loops in jeans/pants); printing while CC is minimal - and probably moreso because of the "extra-weight" caused by "user-error" (i.e. renegade pizza and subs.....)

However, I've been considering an additional holster that will fit the Streamlight TLR-1 that I switch from the shottie to the SIG on occassion.

.... ummm, the reason is that the "extra-weight" enjoyed by the SIG makes the pants a lil tight in areas, so I've been walking/jogging the dog around at night - gotta have light in this area - no streetlights.

A little bump for this thread.

I've been OC without incident regularly in Northern Virginia for the past couple of weeks, mostly in Alexandria, Fairfax and Vienna. I was nervous about OC to begin with since you see it so seldom up here but decided a right is a right and just went for it.

I have a Virginia CHP and just received my Utah CFP last Friday, but I actually prefer OC to CC. One way or the other, I carry whenever I can.

Welcome to VGOF, George

I have been OC since July and have had no issues. I have gone to Lowes and Target on Military hwy. Downtown Norfolk at a thrift store and Dollar Store all with just a few looks and nothing else. Get gas while carrying and get looks and people no longer approach me for money anymore....I have taken it with me to my sons football games put a lock on it and locked it up in my vehicle (before I get to the school)..... not happy with that. Hopefully no one will break in find it and steal it. I carry around the house and and outside. Couple of neighbors ask why and I tell why not....I can and I want to protect myself and family. I make sure to let them know they can also... the first response is well I dont have a permit to carry. They are shocked when I tell them they don't need one... funny how people don't waive anymore when they drive by the house.

just joined the site and had to comment on this one. i live in winchester va and never saw anyone OCing but the LEOs. bought my first handgun ( .40 s&w tactical ss) a few months ago and have been open carrying since. FCCSM is right, nobody asks for money and neighbors dont stick their head in my door when its open anymore local walmart is more interesting to walk into now though, nobody asks me for money or a ride anymore there either.