Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Normally I carry (usually open, even though I do have a VA CHP) everywhere I go.

This includes my doctor's office which is in a suburban office building and isn't posted.

I don't carry when I expect to not be able to maintain control of my firearm.

I just finished a ten day series of infusions of an antibiotic that can't be taken orally at a local hospital.

I had to drive to the hospital each day for these infusions and use valet parking. (I'm somewhat mobility challenged)

Over the week and a half I spent some time talking guns and the Florida mess with the staff and never really got an indication of anyone with an anti-gun attitude.

Anyway, due to the automatic doors at the entrance of the infusion center it wasn't until my last day that I saw on the glass entrance door a, quite small, blue image of a pistol in a slashed circle.

How much power does such a sign have? Worst case, I assume they could refuse to treat me and trespass me.

So... as a non-attorney, I will give you an opinion based on the code I have read.

It is my understanding that the sign posts conditions as to which you may occupy the building. If you enter the building and don't comply with those conditions, you are legally considered to be in trespass.

That said, it is up to the organization to determine if they are willing to make an exception or if they want to pursue charges. For instance, they would likely make an exception for law enforcement, security employed at the site or someone who has requested and exemption for some specific reason. If the organization doesn't allow you an exception, they can ask you to leave your firearm in your vehicle; they can ask you to leave altogether and not to return, or they can call the police and ask them to charge you for violating their "posted" no trespassing rules.

Also, based on what I have read, in order for the signs to have "force of law", they must be posted at every possible entrance. This is because, how can you possibly be made aware of the policy if you enter via an entrance with no policy posted? However, if they verbally notify you and instruct you to obey they policy, you now have been notified and have a legal obligation to comply.

That said, if no one said anything to you and the cops didn't show up, it sounds like they opted to make an exception for you.

My doctor allows me to carry in his office even though they have a No Weapons policy. Same for the hospital where my wife gets her weekly infusions. My doc said its more to deter criminals. He is pro-2a and thinks its a stupid idea, but the corp leadership mandated it.

"He is pro-2a and thinks its a stupid idea, but the corp leadership mandated it."

Sometimes I wish stockholders would vote out some of these "Corporate Demi-gods", and replace them with better people.