Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Is it still unlawful to concealed carry with permit in restaurants that serve alcohol? I thought there was legislation on that.

Also, I seem to remember that the law changed with regard to CCW in National Parks. Has that gone into affect?

Also, is it lawful to open or concealed carry in VA state parks?

Also, I believe the state was considering making CCW permits permanent, or making it possible to renew on line. Any info on that, or am I mistaken?

I guess if the State Police website is up to date, most of my questions are answered there.

Hi Bob,

I'll address a couple of these, but will leave the State and National Parks alone for someone else to address.

bobingersoll wrote:Is it still unlawful to concealed carry with permit in restaurants that serve alcohol? I thought there was legislation on that.

You can legally carry concealed in an "ABC on-premises" establishment, provided you do not drink any alcoholic beverages. Also, provided they do not have signage restricting firearms on their private property.

bobingersoll wrote:Also, I believe the state was considering making CCW permits permanent, or making it possible to renew on line. Any info on that, or am I mistaken?

You can renew your permit through the mail. There's no "Online renewal" that I'm aware of. Also, I've not heard any talk about making permits permanent, and that's certainly not the case under current law. Permits are still good for 5 years.

From the VA State Parks website:
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/faq.shtml
Firearms: Law enforcement officers and those with a concealed handgun permit may carry firearms. During hunts, hunters may have firearms, which should be unloaded and properly stored when outside designated hunt areas. Target shooting is prohibited. Air guns are prohibited.

I interpret this to mean no OC in state parks, but you can CC.

From what I can find online, if the state that a National Park is located in allows CC, you may CC in that national park. Each region, and specific park has their own http://www.nps.gov website that I have found o contain the following statement - "The law governing possession of firearms inside a national park changed on February 22, 2010. Visitors may possess firearms within a national park unit provided they comply with federal, state, and local laws. Please remember that federal law prohibits firearms in certain park facilities and buildings. These places are marked with signs at public entrances." Some of the region sites have links to the local and state statues. Bottom line, check with the park first.

meak99 wrote:From what I can find online, if the state that a National Park is located in allows CC, you may CC in that

I should end that statement with a "if YOU are legally allowed to CC in that state." I.e., if you ahve VA CHP, and that state has VA reciprocity, or you have a non-resident CHP for that state.

allingeneral wrote:Hi Bob,
You can legally carry concealed in an "ABC on-premises" establishment, provided you do not drink any alcoholic beverages. Also, provided they do not have signage restricting firearms on their private property.

I was listening to a local(to NC) talk radio station that made it seem pretty clear that it was ok to CC in bars and establishments that sell and serve alcohol. After reading this thread, I went to check it out. I don't see any exemptions on the state police's website.
Are there any links to the definitions of the exemptions?

Here is the info:
Unlawful to carry;


§18.2-308 (J.3.): No person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of any restaurant or club as defined in § 4.1-100 for which a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has been granted by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board under Title 4.1 of the Code of Virginia; may consume an alcoholic beverage while on the premises. A person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of such a restaurant or club and consumes alcoholic beverages is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, nothing in this subsection shall apply to a federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer.

§ 4.1-100
Restaurant" means, for a beer, or wine and beer license or a limited mixed beverage restaurant license, any establishment provided with special space and accommodation, where, in consideration of payment, meals or other foods prepared on the premises are regularly sold.

"Restaurant" means, for a mixed beverage license other than a limited mixed beverage restaurant license, an established place of business (i) where meals with substantial entrees are regularly sold and (ii) which has adequate facilities and sufficient employees for cooking, preparing, and serving such meals for consumption at tables in dining areas on the premises, and includes establishments specializing in full course meals with a single substantial entree.

"Club" means any private nonprofit corporation or association which is the owner, lessee, or occupant of an establishment operated solely for a national, social, patriotic, political, athletic, or other like purpose, but not for pecuniary gain, the advantages of which belong to all of the members. It also means the establishment so operated. A corporation or association shall not lose its status as a club because of the conduct of charitable gaming conducted pursuant to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 in which nonmembers participate frequently or in large numbers, provided that no alcoholic beverages are served or consumed in the room where such charitable gaming is being conducted while such gaming is being conducted and that no alcoholic beverages are made available upon the premises to any person who is neither a member nor a bona fide guest of a member.

If anyone is interested, we do a class that covers the carry laws. We update it each July when the laws change.

dorton wrote: I was listening to a local(to NC) talk radio station that made it seem pretty clear that it was ok to CC in bars and establishments that sell and serve alcohol. After reading this thread, I went to check it out. I don't see any exemptions on the state police's website.
Are there any links to the definitions of the exemptions?

Here is the info:
Unlawful to carry;


§18.2-308 (J.3.): No person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of any restaurant or club as defined in § 4.1-100 for which a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has been granted by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board under Title 4.1 of the Code of Virginia; may consume an alcoholic beverage while on the premises. A person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of such a restaurant or club and consumes alcoholic beverages is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, nothing in this subsection shall apply to a federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer.

Is the bolded/underlined part what you are looking for?

Since July 1st of last year you can CC in establishments which serve alcohol. You can not drink any alcohol though.

gunderwood wrote:Since July 1st of last year you can CC in establishments which serve alcohol. You can not drink any alcohol though.

Actually, since July 1st of this year, you could CC in restaurants and clubs that serve alcohol on premises. Previously, you could always have CC'd in other places that served before that.

ProShooter wrote:

gunderwood wrote:Since July 1st of last year you can CC in establishments which serve alcohol. You can not drink any alcohol though.

Actually, since July 1st of this year, you could CC in restaurants and clubs that serve alcohol on premises. Previously, you could always have CC'd in other places that served before that.

Yes, this year. I'm thinking it is 2011 already.

Yarddawg wrote:Is the bolded/underlined part what you are looking for?

Yep, thanks. I think I was just reading into it and thinking about NC laws. CC laws, and self defense laws are lacking in NC, compared to VA.

Thanks