Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Now that the weather is getting a little nicer that seems like a lot more people are starting to open carry. I've heard in the news that when the weather warms up violent crime goes up. I wonder if that has something to do with it?

I've been out and about for the past couple days running errands grabbing lunch or dinner in what have you, and I've noticed a lot of people are holstered up at the dinner table, getting gas and walking around the grocery store.

Today I was at Bella Vita Italian Eatery and I noticed that there were several couples in that one restaurant that we're all open carrying. I know this restaurant is 2A friendly, as I open carry there all the time and so does my son, but this took me by surprise. Just the sheer number of people in the restaurant that were openly carrying is really what caught me off guard. Really makes me start to wonder just how many people are concealed carry all the time too.

So Woodbridge and parts of Manassas are known to be pretty tough neighborhoods, especially with MS-13 running around. But I was wondering if it's spread around the rest of the state too? Anybody else starting to notice more people open carrying around their neighborhoods?

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I'm in Bumpass, Louisa county, and I have been seeing people open carrying here a lot around. Not usually at Zooms or anything but around Mineral and Louisa we see a broad mix of ages and genders doing it. Not sure what that ms13 is but I have found out this area has a pretty nice meth problem but I've seen more junkies up in lynn, mASS than we have here, maybe they will be out more once the weather gets nicer! Lol

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I'm here in Fredericksburg and I see people open carrying a great deal while out and about. When I brave the local Wal-Marts I see more than a few men and women open carrying. We don't really have much of an MS-13 presence here but we do have a pretty bad heroin/opioid problem. seems the further south and west of D.C. you go the more folks are carrying at least from my point of view.

Be well each of you!

Personally I think it's pretty simple. As the weather warms up CC gets a little harder as people leave their jackets at home so they just OC. I mostly CC but sometimes OC when it's nice out.

Good feedback. I'm glad to hear people are open carrying more frequently around here. I just don't know if it's a sign of the times in a bad way or sign of the times in a good way as in more people are purchasing firearms and exercising their second amendment rights.

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I don't really see a difference in OC around here in regards to the weather. People who choose to do so just, DO.

I generally carry my LC9s IWB most of the year but will, when colder weather clothing allows, carry my full size TP9 either IWB/OWB.

Only times I have truly open carried is minimal stops going to a friends to shoot. Even though I'm in a predominantly conservative area there are still those that would cause a stink over an openly carried side arm. I simply choose not to have to deal with that.

Still CC for me. I go with the idea of not wanting to draw attention that you may get with OC. I love it that VA is a OC state, and I dont have to worry about it if some one can tell I am carrying.

GregVa wrote:Still CC for me. I go with the idea of not wanting to draw attention that you may get with OC. I love it that VA is a OC state, and I dont have to worry about it if some one can tell I am carrying.

Totally agree! Although it good to see lawfully citizens carrying. I rather not have eyes on my for a carrying a firearm


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In my experience, I have found no hassles in carrying openly. I open carried all the time, when I lived in Williamsburg. Most of that area leans pretty far left.

For the most part, people are generally oblivious. I never had a single negative police encounter. The two encounters that I DID have were with off duty officers. One of them went out of his way to state his enthusiastic approval. The other was there on vacation from New Jersey, and she wasn't even the one that noticed; her kid was, lol.

Also, no one ever decided to come scream in my face, or start any sort of argument. Most of those that said anything were people that ran the registers where I did business; and I was there frequently, so they knew who I was and were comfortable asking me about it. One girl did tell me that she was scared of guns, so she was nervous when she saw it, but then realized that she knew who I was and remembered me being nice, so she wasn't worried.

Anyone else that noticed, tended to be children that spoke loudly and pointed, but their parents were more concerned about their rude behavior, than my carry practices.

It's worth noting that I am a very small person, and I was carrying a very large gun. Still, people are oblivious. Believe me, strapping a pistol to your belt, probably won't put giant neon arrows over your head. At least, not based on my experience.

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My experience has been very similar to yours, H. My permit expeired and I had to OC for the last month while I waited for a renewal. Only 2 people said something out of the whole 30 days and they were both positive. One was a thank you for positively representing the 2A community and the other was a compliment on the pistol itself. Something kind of nice that happened just 2 days ago, a waitress at a restaurant asked me if I could recommend a nice/quiet outdoor range. That was a nice convo.

My son is only 18, so he has to OC every day. He told me he only gets compliments too. He does notice the occasional rude/disapproving gaze, but no one has said anything to him.

I prefer to CC for a tactical advantage and so the sheep don't freak out when I am in NOVA, but if I'm out with my son or have a range day, I'll OC.

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My place in Dinwiddie was invaded Saturday by several HoBo's ....All armed to the TEETH ...OC , CC .....Semi Auto's and Lever Gun's Galore !!!

Hope you ran those bumms out a there. They leave brass and trash everywhere. LOL

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That reminds me... I am going to update my forum Signiture to say "Member of the 100 yard pistol club!"

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There's only a few of US that can do that !

Yes Sir... True GunFu Masters!

If I may ask, what is your point of aim for those 100 yard pistol shots, or do you just draw a coarse bead?

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We were standing, unsupported, shooting at 8x11 steel plates. I was using a SIG P226 in a .40 SW. There was a steady 8mph breeze with some gusts up to about 11, maybe 12 mph... 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock. I aimed at the top left corner of the plate to give a comfortable negative lead and to account for drop with the wind and let it fly.

Shooting a pistol at 100 yards, seeing and hearing that get hit is an awesome feeling. It's hard to repeat, be we pulled it off a few times. I'm going to practice every chance I get...really enjoyable.

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I guess I'm technically the other "100yd pistol club" member, although I only did it once. I think Mark and Randy did multiple times. My hold was aiming center of the plate.

Randy if those HoBo's come back around you be sure and let us know.

Carry on! I seem to recall that the drop for that shot would be around 8" using that configuration. An admirable feat, there.

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Until yesterday I had never thought of shooting 100yds. with a pistol. I guess we just got tired of shooting the 30 yd. target. Yesterday I was shooting my RIA 9mm. I actually hit the steel 3 times out of about 30 shots. Today I tried again with my SR40 and shot 30 rds. and had 2 hits. I also shot my Sig. 1911 .22 LR and had 2 hits in 20 shots. Next time I'm thinking 100 yd. Lever Gun Shots at swinging GOLF BALLS .