Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hey Ya'll
New here from Texas. Hope someone can help me with a question. I have read the VA Code but was unable to find any info about concealed carry in private residences other than my own. What I mean is can I CC into someone's home without them knowing?

And, really need to find a range! I live on the Rappahannock, east of Richmond. Are there any ranges around?

You can CC in someone else's home (with a permit) unless they have prohibited firearms on their private property.....then again, if you are CC'd, they'll probably never know.

ProShooter wrote:You can CC in someone else's home (with a permit) unless they have prohibited firearms on their private property.....then again, if you are CC'd, they'll probably never know.

+1

VA law respects private property, for the most part, concerning the carry of firearms.

gunderwood wrote:VA law respects private property, for the most part, concerning the carry of firearms.

To a certain degree this is good, and to another bad.

Private citizens should (and do) have the right to prohibit firearms on their property.

What happens is when corporations are considered "persons" (see also: campaign finance) and can prohibit PUBLIC customers from exercising self defense.

We, of course, have a weapon against such foolishness. No guns. No money.

Like dialing 10-10-321, one and then the number... It's just that simple.

But like they said - if you are doing it right they should never know. Besides, it is not the gun you see that you have to worry about - I wish I could get that through my in-laws' thick, empty skulls, but I think I would rather teach a pig to sing - it would be more enjoyable and probably more productive.

Does anyone else consider this to be a moral question rather than just a legal one? An issue of respect? I assume that most of the relevant cases would be ones where you're in someone else's home as an invited guest, and to me it would be quite rude and disrespectful to carry a weapon against a host's will or without his permission. And I don't just mean legal will--I mean taking the attitude that there's nothing wrong with carrying a weapon into another person's home until they tell me they don't want me to, and that it's OK as long as I'm willing to disarm or leave at that point if/when they find out. This is just disrespectful. I ask for permission before carrying a firearm into a friend's home, and by the same token I--even as a strong proponent of gun ownership and carry rights--would strongly object to anyone bearing arms into my house or place of residence without asking me.

I agree completely fordhook. It's all about respect for your host.

fordhook2000 wrote:Does anyone else consider this to be a moral question rather than just a legal one? An issue of respect? I assume that most of the relevant cases would be ones where you're in someone else's home as an invited guest, and to me it would be quite rude and disrespectful to carry a weapon against a host's will or without his permission.

Yes, I would not carry against their wishes. To do so is trespassing even if they don't find out about it.

fordhook2000 wrote:And I don't just mean legal will--I mean taking the attitude that there's nothing wrong with carrying a weapon into another person's home until they tell me they don't want me to, and that it's OK as long as I'm willing to disarm or leave at that point if/when they find out. This is just disrespectful. I ask for permission before carrying a firearm into a friend's home, and by the same token I--even as a strong proponent of gun ownership and carry rights--would strongly object to anyone bearing arms into my house or place of residence without asking me.

Why is a gun any different than anything else you have on you, assuming you aren't bringing illegal things into their home? What is immoral about carrying a gun or car keys or a swiss army knife or pocket lint into a place you have been invited too? If you know they don't want those items there, then you are bound to not do it. However, extend this to private businesses. Do you call up the manager of Walmart, or better yet, the owners of Walmart before entering their store to make sure your CC is ok? Of course not.

If you carry all the time it isn't a big deal...no more than putting on a watch everyday or any other object. If I know a person doesn't want firearms there I don't carry, but otherwise I go about my business like everyone else, CC or not.

I always ask forgiveness rather than permission. If it is someone who I know is a rapid, foaming-at-the-mouth liberal I will simply conceal and not tell them.

If they are a good friend, I will carry openly unless they ask me to conceal.

If they tell me they do not want guns in their house, I will leave.

It is not trespassing unless you refuse a direct request to leave. And even then it is not a firearms issue. I could tell anyone I want to leave my premises, firearm or not.

I agree with gunderwood. Specifically seeking out permission, especially if you have it concealed and you have a permit, should not be required as it is not immoral behavior. If you had a pocket version of the New Testament tucked away, would you specifically seek permission to bring it in into their house? Even if they were an avid atheist?

Amen to that!

I appreciate everyone's opinion. Perhaps I should have explained in more detail. First off I am licensed and I CC everywhere I go, It's just a part of my clothing. But legally, in Virginia can I carry into someone's recidence without them knowing? ........Well. I guess they should never know so why does it matter? But I ask because I am a property adjuster. Everyday, I visit nice neighborhooods and just as often I visit really bad ones. I am in and out of forclosed houses and high end houses. I do not ever know what to expect. I guess I just worry that the the button will come loose on my jacket or something and someone will see my gun and then freak out and call the police or something. I don't know what is legal in this situation.

momtofive wrote:But legally, in Virginia can I carry into someone's recidence without them knowing?

Yes.

If they do not want guns on their property AND notify you either verbally, or by signs where they may be reasonably seen, then you are TRESPASSING (not a firearms offense - http://leg1.state.va.us/000/cod/18.2-119.HTM) if you refuse to leave, or come on the property anyway. If you are CCing effectively, nobody should ever know so the only possibility I see is the signage issue.

momtofive wrote:I guess I just worry that the the button will come loose on my jacket or something and someone will see my gun and then freak out and call the police or something. I don't know what is legal in this situation.

You are legal unless someone in the residence tells you otherwise, either verbally or with a sign at the door (or somewhere else). If you're worried about a button coming loose, etc. then carry in a way that you're sure that you won't be seen.
I've carried (concealed) to a couple of Christmas parties in the last couple of weeks. One was a family event where most folks know I carry most of the time. I have a (adult) neice who likes to pat/bump me to see if I'm carrying if we're out on a family event. She's gun friendly, but is curious about my concealed carry. This time she just looked at me in a knowing way, I winked back, and the evening went on.
Another was an office party for my wife. We had a nice time, and no one knew. When we got to her coworker's home there were a dozen or more hunting trophies on the walls. I don't think he would've minded if he found me out.
If anyone would have had a hard time with my carrying there, I would reassure them that I am a good guy. If they were insistant that I not carry, I would respect their wishes and take it to the car, stow it where they wished, or I would leave.
I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be "made" at the office party, so I was sure that I wouldn't. Concealed is concealed.

Parry

t33j wrote:

momtofive wrote:But legally, in Virginia can I carry into someone's recidence without them knowing?

Yes.

As a side note, when I carry like that the firearm never leaves my side. If I need to be separated from my firearm for whatever reason, I ask the property owner about it because at that point I have introduced something into their home which is not directly under my control. I can't in good conscience leave a gun anywhere in someones home without their knowledge. Alternatively, I can secure it in my car.

Yarddawg wrote:I agree completely fordhook. It's all about respect for your host.

First time I ever stepped onto Henry's deck I asked if he cared if I carry.

He simply looked sideways at me and said "Carry whut?"

My opinion is that if I had to worry about offending someone by carrying a firearm then I probally shouldn't or wouldn't even be there to begin with.

Vahunter wrote:My opinion is that if I had to worry about offending someone by carrying a firearm then I probally shouldn't or wouldn't even be there to begin with.

Hey, I was nervous. Bill was there too...

Vahunter wrote:My opinion is that if I had to worry about offending someone by carrying a firearm then I probably shouldn't or wouldn't even be there to begin with.

So you've been invited to my in-laws' house, too, then?

@momtofive

Welcome to VA; I also just recently moved from Texas earlier this year. The rule is pretty much the same as TX. If they ask you to put your gun in your car you have to respect that since they have control of the property. Barring a verbal or written notice, you should be fine.

meangene wrote:If they ask you to put your gun in your car you have to respect that since they have control of the property. Barring a verbal or written notice, you should be fine.

If they ask you to put your gun in your car, you bid them good day and vacate the premises.

The best way to get your gun stolen from your vehicle is to be seen putting it in your vehicle and then leaving your vehicle unattended.

It is not a reasonable risk.