Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I'm new to Virginia and I"m not sure if you guys have the old OC vs CC debates, but they are very much alive in Indiana. The law in Indiana is silent concerning how the firearm must be carried. One who possesses a License to Carry (LTC) can carry any way they choose. However, there are those who believe OC provides the opportunity to educate the masses and also adds a tactical advantage if needed. Those who CC believe it's the better carry position and allows an even better tactical advantage if needed.

I've searched the forum, but haven't seen this kind of debate. I understand Virginia is an OC state and a license/permission must be obtained in order to CC. Overall, how do Virginia gun owners feel about OC vs CC? Do a great deal of people pay the money necessary to obtain the ability to CC or do most choose to OC? Also, Indiana is a pretty freedom-minded state, but I've witnessed even the most conservative minded person who believe "guns are dangerous." Do Virginia residents possess more common sense than this? What is the general perception when a OCer is seen in the local coffee shop or gas station?

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Thats a tough set of questions to answer.

Per OC/CC, I prefer CC. Less to worry about with a firearm that is easily seen about your body.

With regard to public OC, it depends on the situation. When 100 guys show up at a store carrying guns, it tends to scare the sheeple quickly, even when they know they are safe. We recently decided to patron Starbucks on a Saturday for their policy of allowing guns. Guess what? They asked us not to carry there, though they haven't changed their policy (i.e., they are on our side, but we scared too many sheeple and they want the sheeple's business too). If its just random people on the street open carrying, its fine. Many write them off as LEOs. It does get more exposure out in a less threatening manner though.

I think many people do get the CHP. It is relatively cheap ($50/5 years). Plus, it provides more freedom when transporting firearms, allows you to go more places protected, and its great ID for buying firearms.

If you carry, my experience has been fine. Most no one cares. I get ignored most of the time. Once in a while a kid points out the gun to their parent, or a libtard gives you a stare, but I've never had trouble. Up in northern VA it might be different (I avoid it as much as possible), but for the most of the rest of VA, its not a problem.

If you want to get a taste, go out and carry and see what happens. Just know where you cannot go with that loaded firearm.

I OC a good bit because I'm 19, so old enough to oc, to young to cc. I rarely have issue, in fact in over a year of fairly regular carry only twice have I been asked to leave a business. Never had the cops called or any such sillyness. If you choose to OC just be aware, your representing the 2A community, so go out of your way to be nice.

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Jake makes a good point. Be nice no matter what.

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I just saw a guy in Charlottesville, putting gas in a flatbed delivery truck, that was really prepared.
He was OCing on each hip.
Never seen carrying on both hips before.

smltooner wrote:I just saw a guy in Charlottesville, putting gas in a flatbed delivery truck, that was really prepared.
He was OCing on each hip.
Never seen carrying on both hips before.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Must have been delivering white wine and brie. You'd need a pistol in each hand to keep the liberals at bay.

dorminWS wrote:

smltooner wrote:I just saw a guy in Charlottesville, putting gas in a flatbed delivery truck, that was really prepared.
He was OCing on each hip.
Never seen carrying on both hips before.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Must have been delivering white wine and brie. You'd need a pistol in each hand to keep the liberals at bay.

... or free phones.

I became accustomed to open carry because I started carrying before I was 21. Since then I got my concealed carry but barely conceal. When I do it's usually in a jacket or backpack. I can say though that I've never had a negative experience open carrying.

I've only had one comment when OC-ing.

Guy pointed and said "why". I replied "It gives me +45 vs. stupid". He had a very perplexed look on his face.

^^^i've had similar questions, and I always answer "Because I am a boy scout.". It seems to be a good way to get the person to try thinking, and lets me expand often.

Not everyone knows what I am saying, believe it or not (I believe they don't want to think). Then I tell them the boy scout motto: Be prepared", and ask them why they buy any sort of insurance/coverage/backup plan. They usually get it if they hung in that long.

If they want to talk, I will then delve into protecting the kids/family, my elderly parents living in an isolated place, and the need for the food guys to level/advance the playing field in their favor. This can go on as long as they wish to talk.

I guess the point I am making is that comments like the above, while insanely amusing, might push possible converts away. As ambassadors for our right, we really have to think carefully and use every chance we can with a possibly open mind to gain a new supporter.

I do not wish to put down your story, I did enjoy it, but I am just suggesting we take our responsibility as ambassadors for 2A as seriously as we do handling our firearms. I hope your comment avtually got the guy thinking though!

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Que wrote:I'm new to Virginia and I"m not sure if you guys have the old OC vs CC debates, but they are very much alive in Indiana.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

The law in Indiana is silent concerning how the firearm must be carried. One who possesses a License to Carry (LTC) can carry any way they choose. However, there are those who believe OC provides the opportunity to educate the masses and also adds a tactical advantage if needed. Those who CC believe it's the better carry position and allows an even better tactical advantage if needed.

I am up in the air on this. A weapon that is open is often a visual deterrent and can more easily be drawn if needed compared to a concealed weapon.

On the flip side. if someone is not deterred by open carry, likely you are now at a huge disadvantage. You will likely be the first target of ambush/surprise attack once the criminal begins whatever adversity they intend.

If you have a concealed weapon and the situation has escalated to the event horizon, you are now at a huge tactical advantage, as the criminal has no idea you are in play.

I've searched the forum, but haven't seen this kind of debate.

Trust me... we've had a few, even in the short time I have been a member. LOL

I understand Virginia is an OC state and a license/permission must be obtained in order to CC. Overall, how do Virginia gun owners feel about OC vs CC?

I would hesitate to speak for all my fellow Virginians, but I will say I prefer to CC most of the time. My family has told me that they are glad I carry everywhere because my chances of protecting them in a targeted act of violence while with them is much better. But CC helps my wife and kids feel more comfortable while we are out and about. They are not bothered by the gun, but they don't like to see it because it is a constant visual reminder of just how crappy the world really is.

Also, I CC most of the time because I know it troubles a lot of people. The uneducated anti-2a person (regularly referred to by me as a low information voter) is not capable of rational thought. They don't understand that honest law abiding citizens will openly carry weapons because they have nothing to hide compared to a criminal who doesn't walk around advertising that he/she illegally has a gun by carrying it out in the open. So, I don't want to deal with the BS.

BUT... sometimes I feel like mixing the pot a little, so I will OC. LOL

Do a great deal of people pay the money necessary to obtain the ability to CC or do most choose to OC?

According to the GOA about 279,000 people have a VA CHP. I have not found any facts to reflect actual firearm owners in VA.

Also, Indiana is a pretty freedom-minded state, but I've witnessed even the most conservative minded person who believe "guns are dangerous." Do Virginia residents possess more common sense than this? What is the general perception when a OCer is seen in the local coffee shop or gas station?

The definition of dangerous is "able or likely to cause harm or injury." A gun's sole purpose is to be used as a tool to end life... quickly. Therefore, yes guns are dangerous.

However, I am a firm believer that my gun is a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

Keep in mind, a dangerous object is a completely separate concept from dangerous behavior. By definition, though not based on the designers intent, a car, a knife, a screwdriver, even a light bulb are all dangerous objects. What makes them a weapon is when they are used to hurt someone.

Everywhere you go, you will find instances of two people who see the same man standing beside a house with a screw driver; one person will think the man is the home owner about to tighten his shutter while the other thinks a stranger is getting ready to pry open a window to burglarize a home. What people see or believe is a crap-shoot based on the individual's experiences in life or lack thereof.

Remek wrote:

dorminWS wrote:

smltooner wrote:I just saw a guy in Charlottesville, putting gas in a flatbed delivery truck, that was really prepared.
He was OCing on each hip.
Never seen carrying on both hips before.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Must have been delivering white wine and brie. You'd need a pistol in each hand to keep the liberals at bay.

... or free phones.

Actually, it was lumber.

I only CC because I dislike standing out or drawing attention to myself.

Do as you please.

I usually CC, and the reasons are simple: (i) I don't have to worry as much about someone grabbing my handgun; and (ii) tactical advantage, as I am the wild card to any criminal.

I like OC, myself. Though, I can't carry like I used to, due to the nature of my job.

I was carrying in Williamsburg. I really thought I would get a lot of friction, being so close to the college and the historical area, but even in that liberal area, most people didn't even notice.

I have a few reasons for preferring OC to CC. One is that I am not about to pay a fee and jump through hoops in order to excercise a right. Could you fathom paying the government for a license to post on a public forum, or to have a conversation with a fellow shopper in the grocery store? Or how about a license to attend church? Obtaining a CC permit amounts to the same thing.

Also, I think that it is important for the masses to regularly witness armed men and women going about normal daily business. With so many people carrying concealed, the masses never know that normal people are arming themselves, so the only thing that they know for certain about people with guns, is that evil folks have been shooting up a lot of public places, lately.

From a more tactical standpoint, I find my pistol more easily accessible when it's not hiding under my clothes.

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It depends on the location and who you run into. in Northern VA be prepared for the cops to be called, South of Fredricksburg you can likely have little to no problems.

SHMIV wrote:I like OC, myself. Though, I can't carry like I used to, due to the nature of my job.

I was carrying in Williamsburg. I really thought I would get a lot of friction, being so close to the college and the historical area, but even in that liberal area, most people didn't even notice.

I have a few reasons for preferring OC to CC. One is that I am not about to pay a fee and jump through hoops in order to excercise a right. Could you fathom paying the government for a license to post on a public forum, or to have a conversation with a fellow shopper in the grocery store? Or how about a license to attend church? Obtaining a CC permit amounts to the same thing.

Also, I think that it is important for the masses to regularly witness armed men and women going about normal daily business. With so many people carrying concealed, the masses never know that normal people are arming themselves, so the only thing that they know for certain about people with guns, is that evil folks have been shooting up a lot of public places, lately.

From a more tactical standpoint, I find my pistol more easily accessible when it's not hiding under my clothes.

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well said. I lived in Williamsburg for most of my life and I never saw anyone OC, but I knew people CC. I agree, we need to un- demonize OC.

I think both are generally acceptable in the rural area's of VA. Around the high population area's it is much less acceptable to OC, sheeple really sheep out. If you do OC I would say its your responsibility to represent the 2A community. That means, how you act, and just as importantly how you dress. My attire for OC is professional khaki pants, professional dress shoes(that still have a good level of comfort/mobility), and a tucked in button down dress shirt. I do that to give the sheeple their false sense of security, typically they think i'm a detective or private security. But in reality i'm just a another sleep deprived college student

I have only seen OC one time in NOVA it wouldnt surprise me if OC led to problems here.

Lot's of stupid McAwful, Ocarter voters here.
I CC and prefer that.

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Usually cc here in Fairfax County but do oc every few weeks. Gotten a few stares but that's about it.

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