Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

tacdriver wrote:Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof, make counter accusations!

....Oh wait a minute that's my training kicking in when my wife asks "is that new gun ya got there"

"This old thing?"

I suspect that Burns may be from another state. In Florida, you can be accused of brandishing just because you are "made" when carrying concealed. It is a big deal. This is one of the pleasures of living in Virginia. I did have one experience with this at CarPool. I was OCing a S&W 66 loaded with snake shot as I had just come from the woods where I had been posting in the spring. Got the truck really muddy so...went to carpool. I was also carrying my Glock in a fanny pack. I had been there for about 20 minutes waiting on the truck...it was REALLY muddy when a lady says "Oh my God he has a gun". The carpool employee next to her says "So" and that was the end of it. The lady's son, a teenager, then starts asking me about the gun and I answered all his questions.

HighExpert wrote:I suspect that Burns may be from another state. In Florida, you can be accused of brandishing just because you are "made" when carrying concealed. It is a big deal.

My powers of telepathy are week, so I have to go on the questions as asked.

Rumson wrote:What Spanish said but to add. VA is an open carry state.. If the firearm becomes exposed in most cases you are OK since VA is an open carry state.. Your CHP allows to to conceal your firearm.. It has always been legal to open carry prior to CHP licensing/laws..

Isn't it true that "open-carry" means that the weapon is completely open and exposed for anyone to see? If you are not in possession of a CHP you may not, it is my understanding, have the weapon covered in any way shape or form. Any outgarments must be raised/tucked behind the weapon so it is exposed.

I think Rumson is understood to have meant that the person would have a CHP, but I thought this little clarification might be appropriate. Not stepping on toes!

Swampman wrote:

Rumson wrote:What Spanish said but to add. VA is an open carry state.. If the firearm becomes exposed in most cases you are OK since VA is an open carry state.. Your CHP allows to to conceal your firearm.. It has always been legal to open carry prior to CHP licensing/laws..

Isn't it true that "open-carry" means that the weapon is completely open and exposed for anyone to see? If you are not in possession of a CHP you may not, it is my understanding, have the weapon covered in any way shape or form. Any outgarments must be raised/tucked behind the weapon so it is exposed.

I think Rumson is understood to have meant that the person would have a CHP, but I thought this little clarification might be appropriate. Not stepping on toes!

The is exact wording is is must able to be seen by "common observation". Your call on how you define that but I take no chances and carry OWB completely exposed.

Jakeiscrazy wrote:The is exact wording is is must able to be seen by "common observation". Your call on how you define that but I take no chances and carry OWB completely exposed.

A lot of folks at VCDL Lobby Day were open carrying IWB with no problems. I remember reading a forum post where someone was arrested for carrying concealed without a permit, and I believe they were carrying IWB. The judge asked the officer how he knew that the defendant was armed. The officer replied that he saw the gun on the defendant's hip. Case dismissed!

TBob wrote:

Jakeiscrazy wrote:The is exact wording is is must able to be seen by "common observation". Your call on how you define that but I take no chances and carry OWB completely exposed.

A lot of folks at VCDL Lobby Day were open carrying IWB with no problems. I remember reading a forum post where someone was arrested for carrying concealed without a permit, and I believe they were carrying IWB. The judge asked the officer how he knew that the defendant was armed. The officer replied that he saw the gun on the defendant's hip. Case dismissed!

Sounds like the roll of the dice lead to a reasonable Judge that understood the law.

In VA there is no problem. In other states with strict concealment laws, it can be a real problem.
So the answer to the depends on where you are , who sees it, their view of you and most importantly their view on guns.
Somebody who is not offended or threaten will probably not call the cops even in a nanny state.

Someone said something to me only once, when I was pocket carrying while wearing old jeans. I was in line in the Chantilly Target. The cashier eyeballed me while I was unloading my cart, then asked if I had a gun. Everyone within earshot immediately turned, and I got really embarrassed.

Under the circumstances, the only thing I could say was, "No, I'm just happy to see you." Pretty much shut her up on the spot.

UnderwaterMike wrote: Under the circumstances, the only thing I could say was, "No, I'm just happy to see you." Pretty much shut her up on the spot.

And she didn't ask for your phone number???

TBob wrote:

UnderwaterMike wrote: Under the circumstances, the only thing I could say was, "No, I'm just happy to see you." Pretty much shut her up on the spot.

And she didn't ask for your phone number???

Luckily, no. Kinda slammed my Charmin around a lot, though.