Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I did My first OC at Bass Pro Shops in Ashland right after the picnic in Stafford. I looked for a no oc posting on the front door and didn"t see one, so I entered through the front door went past the fireplace, and into the store. I got 50 feet from the greeter, and already noticed a security guard with a radio following me. He looked at my side arm and looked back at me with a less then a friendly look. But he didn"t say anything. he had a embroidered gold star on his shirt, sort of like a sherriff badge. I walked around the store and did my shopping, I noticed people sort of vacated the isles where I was shopping. I also got laughed at a lot. At check out people scattered from the check out line, they went to other check out lines. Hummmm This law abiding citizen was sure given the cold shoulder, But no one stopped me, or harrased me. But im sure i was the center of attention as their security cameras followed me as went through their store. I was sort of made to feel out of place, like i didnt belong there. I exited with no problems at all.

When I bought a pistol there, the case was sealed by the salesman, if that tells you anything.

Don't let that experience in Bass Pro dissuade you from OC. After you do it a few times, the looks from others start to go unnoticed. Just be casual and act as if what you're doing is natural...because it is!

Congrats on your first OC!

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement,

I wasn't there so I can't say 100%, but I'd be willing to bet that nobody paid any attention to you. You felt somewhat out of place because you were doing something you're not used to doing so you noticed things that you wouldn't have noticed had you not been carrying. The same thing happens when you first start to carry concealed. You think everybody is staring at you.

Still, congratulations and keep it up.

I can assure you that Bass Pro has no problem with OC or CC. Its their corporate policy and they're fine with it.

Gander Mountain has a sign clearly posted with a qualifier that says not applicable to CHP holders. Btw, some states have laws governing signs which state if the owner does not allow firearms it must be clearly marked on all entrances and they even have standards for sign design and placement. I dont think VA does that...too bad.

I have no problem OC'ing south of the NOVA border. There is simply not enough right wing gun loving nut jobs up here...I wont bother asking any of you southerners to move...

zephyp wrote:Gander Mountain has a sign clearly posted with a qualifier that says not applicable to CHP holders. Btw, some states have laws governing signs which state if the owner does not allow firearms it must be clearly marked on all entrances and they even have standards for sign design and placement. I dont think VA does that...too bad.

I have no problem OC'ing south of the NOVA border. There is simply not enough right wing gun loving nut jobs up here...I wont bother asking any of you southerners to move...

Move? Man we’re actually been working on redrawing the northern part of the Virginia border and moving it south. We were thinking of around Fredericksburg, but right now it looks like it maybe more like Doswell or maybe Ladysmith. Oh and when done you’ll need a visa to come south complete with background check.

zephyp wrote: Btw, some states have laws governing signs which state if the owner does not allow firearms it must be clearly marked on all entrances and they even have standards for sign design and placement. I dont think VA does that...too bad.

Virginia does not have such a requirement. Nothing in the Code requires a store owner to post their carry policy.

No such requirement, but if it's posted, you ought not enter, or risk being charged with trespassing. If it's not posted, then you have not been duly notified of their policy and are permitted to enter, but if someone asks you to leave, you should leave - then contact their corporate headquarters to follow up to see if it's their policy or if it was just some anti-gun manager making up his or her own rules.

Paliden wrote:

zephyp wrote:Gander Mountain has a sign clearly posted with a qualifier that says not applicable to CHP holders. Btw, some states have laws governing signs which state if the owner does not allow firearms it must be clearly marked on all entrances and they even have standards for sign design and placement. I dont think VA does that...too bad.

I have no problem OC'ing south of the NOVA border. There is simply not enough right wing gun loving nut jobs up here...I wont bother asking any of you southerners to move...

Move? Man we’re actually been working on redrawing the northern part of the Virginia border and moving it south. We were thinking of around Fredericksburg, but right now it looks like it maybe more like Doswell or maybe Ladysmith. Oh and when done you’ll need a visa to come south complete with background check.

Great!! Young and I are literally packing right now. We'll be down shortly and I'll help organize the border guard....

zephyp wrote:

Paliden wrote:

zephyp wrote:Gander Mountain has a sign clearly posted with a qualifier that says not applicable to CHP holders. Btw, some states have laws governing signs which state if the owner does not allow firearms it must be clearly marked on all entrances and they even have standards for sign design and placement. I dont think VA does that...too bad.

I have no problem OC'ing south of the NOVA border. There is simply not enough right wing gun loving nut jobs up here...I wont bother asking any of you southerners to move...

Move? Man we’re actually been working on redrawing the northern part of the Virginia border and moving it south. We were thinking of around Fredericksburg, but right now it looks like it maybe more like Doswell or maybe Ladysmith. Oh and when done you’ll need a visa to come south complete with background check.

Great!! Young and I are literally packing right now. We'll be down shortly and I'll help organize the border guard....

GREAT! YA'LL GET IN BACK OF THE PICKUP TRUCK, WE'RE GOING UP TO THE BIG HOUSE NOW!!

I have OC'd at Bass Pro many times sence it's existance. Never an issue, never a problem. I had noticed once a thread that said they were not allowed. I contacted store manager, he confirmed with me Oc/CC loaded perfacty acceptable according to law. Even had spoke with several people that noticed my OC and were glad to hear about Virginia law.
Gander mountain I have OC'ed as well, never an issue except for the occasional rudness of one old fart that works in the back. One employee told me as well it was ok but they don't like to see people shucking rounds on the floor unloading to check out holsters. I guess I could understand this as some people forget to pull their mag's first. A little hint of nervousness or lack of experiance on their part I figure. I could see that being a safety concern for the store, and an un avoidable accident gun owners don't need.

We have no problem with either concealed or open carry

Both are legal in va

GB
Greg Bulkley
General Manager
Bass Pro Shops - Outdoor World
Richmond, Va

Just to give a name for referance.

KennyS wrote:We have no problem with either concealed or open carry

Both are legal in va

GB
Greg Bulkley
General Manager
Bass Pro Shops - Outdoor World
Richmond, Va

Just to give a name for referance.

Excellent - thank you for that.

Greg is a super guy, outstanding individual and pro-gun. He's always very happy to see me and chat about our training classes. The entire staff is great.

yea the managment might not have a problem at that ashland bass pro, but the shoppers surely did, not my imagination either. standing in check out 2 families walked out of our check out line which was acually shorted to go over 2 isles to a longer line check out. That isnt even logical unless you want to avoid the guy in line with the gun...I just thought it funny, I was probrably the safest guy in the store.

AXEL wrote:yea the managment might not have a problem at that ashland bass pro, but the shoppers surely did, not my imagination either. standing in check out 2 families walked out of our check out line which was acually shorted to go over 2 isles to a longer line check out. That isnt even logical unless you want to avoid the guy in line with the gun...I just thought it funny, I was probrably the safest guy in the store.

I would have rolled my eyes at them and snickered and pointed

allingeneral wrote:

AXEL wrote:yea the managment might not have a problem at that ashland bass pro, but the shoppers surely did, not my imagination either. standing in check out 2 families walked out of our check out line which was acually shorted to go over 2 isles to a longer line check out. That isnt even logical unless you want to avoid the guy in line with the gun...I just thought it funny, I was probrably the safest guy in the store.

I would have rolled my eyes at them and snickered and pointed

I'm very careful never to make a scene even when CC. I almost broke that Sunday evening. Young and I swung by the new house in separate vehicles. She got home to our apartments just ahead of me. There were 3 thugs sitting on the stoop and they made catcalls to a girl that jogged by. They saw me and didnt say anything to Young - thankfully. I watched them as I walked to the door and one said "You got a problem?" Uh oh. I stopped and just looked at them. Then I asked if they lived in the apartments. They made a couple of smart remarks and then the ugly one said "I know you part of da neighbor hood crime watch." It took every ounce of resolve not to say "I am the neighborhood crime watch." Instead I bid them good evening and went inside. Punks through and through. Man, am I so glad we're moving to a nice quiet community.

I was thinking along those lines, but didnt want to instigate something. I figure im a steward of the 2nd amendment, what i say, and my actions are going to be judged by others, I want to portray a positive image even when being looked at with uncertainty. and no im not a politician, hehe