Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hello Everyone,

Will a cc permit allow me to keep a loaded handgun in my vehicle? I'm new here btw and look forward to spending quality time with all the knowledgeable people here.

In Virginia, you can have a loaded handgun in your vehicle either with or without a CHP.

Gun laws vary from State to State.More information would be needed to answer accurately.

Jay has the right of it as the law was passed last year the handgun just needs to be secured. Console, Glove box, or in a holster if CC'ing

You mean i cant leave it under my seat?

Some of these answers are either misleading or I am hit o the loop.

If you do not have a CHP, I thought you could not keep a loaded hand gun within reach. Are you guys telling me that anyone now has the ability to?

If you do have a CHP, I was under the impression you could keep a loaded handgun anywhere. Are you guys telling me it has to be secured or holstered?

I have always counseled people that don't have a CHP to unload and seperate ammo from weapon if unsecured. If in the trunk or out of reach then a non-issue.

Glad to be wrong happier to be educated.

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

As of July 1, 2010, a concealed handgun permit is not necessary when carrying a handgun while in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel and such handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel. The term “secured” as used does not require the compartment to be locked. OAG opinion 11-111.

Also, local laws may apply depending on where you live in the Commonwealth.

Virginia is an open carry state--loaded on hip, seat, dash, etc. while in vehicle is OK as long as its not concealed if you don't have a CHP. Or concealed in a locked glove box, console, trunk without CHP. If you have a CHP, keep it wherever you like.

The way I read it, you could secure your gun in a Tupperware container and stick it under the seat. The law doesn't prescibe any particular type of container, IIRC.

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Groovy

A tupperware container? Well, if a non-rigid plastic container with only a snap-together seal is OK, why not a zip-lock baggie?

I haven't researched this or even read the statute, but based on just what I remember, unless there's a published opinion somewhere in which a judge in Va found that satisfied the statutory requirement of "secured" (does it also say "compartment"? - I don't remember.), then I don't think I'd push the concept quite THAT far.

This class may prove helpful to those with some of the questions posed here -

http://proactiveshooters.com/general-co ... rry-in-va/

So has anyone here been pulled over with a loaded weapon in plain view of the police officer? How did he respond when he saw the gun. I want to carry my handgun in my car, but I don't want to find myself in cuffs or even worse on my knees on the pavement, hands behind my head, staring down the barrel of a troopers gun.

VA is an open carry state.. If it's in plain view you do not need a CHP/CCW permit in most situations...

How the police respond to it is another issue.. Some police don't know the laws they are hired to enforce..

VA law goes on the basis of that which is not strictly forbidden is permitted. The lack of hard law is due to the VA method of reviewing older cases going back perhaps to the founding of the state and basing a ruling on what occurred 100 years ago with no actual law to guide it 100 years ago.. What the legal term for this is I don't recall.. Many of our firearm laws have more to do with hunting regulations than personal defense or national 2A issues.. VA has never had the need to write laws for which you ask about for the fact we are mostly a free state and their was never a need to do so..

VCDL is currently working with the legislature towards codifying all the contradictory laws or lack thereof to make life easier for us, law enforcement and the courts..

My advise would be to slow down a little bit and research things out which you are doing by asking on this board.. However, you get what you pay for and this advise is free..

the VA Gun Owners Guide was an authoritative source for the most part several years ago.. I can only assume it's been update to reflect all the new laws from the last few years.. But again the advise is free..

http://www.gunlaws.com/vgog.htm

There is a PDF of AG Cuccinelli's opinion in re this very topic, and for the life of me I cannot locate it. I'll dig around or maybe another member of the forum has it handy.

EDIT:

I apologize for my senior moments this morning...

However, here is what I was looking for:

http://www.oag.state.va.us/Opinions%20a ... Newman.pdf

I keep print outs of this in my car, home, laptop bag etc… There was a discussion in re LE not understanding the law, per se, and it was getting a lot of Virginians into a bit of a pickle on vehicle stops.