Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

New to the CCW world (24 days into my CHP application waiting period in Fairfax County) and I have a question about Open Carrying while driving. So if my gun is in my IWB holster, with my shirt tucked in so it is exposed making it open carry while I am in public what happens when I get into my car? Keep in mind at this point I do not have a valid CHP. Am I supposed to take the gun off, unload it, and stow it in my trunk? Is it considered concealed if i just sit in my seat with it cocked and locked in a holster?

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_Transporting.shtm

"As of July 1, 2010, a concealed handgun permit is not necessary when carrying a handgun while in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel and such handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel."

So, you could put your loaded gun in your glove box or center console so long as they are closed.

A vehicle doesn't change anything. I OC with holster on hip in public and in vehicle, loaded with 1 in the chamber, which is legal.

moss20 wrote:A vehicle doesn't change anything. I OC with holster on hip in public and in vehicle, loaded with 1 in the chamber, which is legal.

I do the same.


As long as your gun can be seen "by common observation", you will be fine. The only time your gun has to "locked up/away" is if you DO NOT yet have your permit, and the gun is in a console/glovebox/trunk/safe.

KiloLee wrote:

moss20 wrote:A vehicle doesn't change anything. I OC with holster on hip in public and in vehicle, loaded with 1 in the chamber, which is legal.

I do the same.


As long as your gun can be seen "by common observation", you will be fine. The only time your gun has to "locked up/away" is if you DO NOT yet have your permit, and the gun is in a console/glovebox/trunk/safe.

I noticed at one point(long time ago) some guys on OCDO where suggesting that it needs to be set in the seat next to you or on the dash. I'm pretty sure they were wrong. After all wouldn't that make a police officer way more nervous than a holstered gun?

Jakeiscrazy wrote:

KiloLee wrote:

moss20 wrote:A vehicle doesn't change anything. I OC with holster on hip in public and in vehicle, loaded with 1 in the chamber, which is legal.

I do the same.


As long as your gun can be seen "by common observation", you will be fine. The only time your gun has to "locked up/away" is if you DO NOT yet have your permit, and the gun is in a console/glovebox/trunk/safe.

I noticed at one point(long time ago) some guys on OCDO where suggesting that it needs to be set in the seat next to you or on the dash. I'm pretty sure they were wrong. After all wouldn't that make a police officer way more nervous than a holstered gun?

IIRC, it was a recommendation so that the firearm would be visable from the drivers side window as most people are right handed and their body blocks the view from that position. It is not required though and how any particular officer handles it will vary. A LEO could flip out because it's on the seat and the next could flip out because they can't see all of the gun on your hip.

Jakeiscrazy wrote:

KiloLee wrote:

moss20 wrote:A vehicle doesn't change anything. I OC with holster on hip in public and in vehicle, loaded with 1 in the chamber, which is legal.

I do the same.


As long as your gun can be seen "by common observation", you will be fine. The only time your gun has to "locked up/away" is if you DO NOT yet have your permit, and the gun is in a console/glovebox/trunk/safe.

I noticed at one point(long time ago) some guys on OCDO where suggesting that it needs to be set in the seat next to you or on the dash. I'm pretty sure they were wrong. After all wouldn't that make a police officer way more nervous than a holstered gun?

Indeed...as proshooter once pointed out that while OCing the ONLY way for someone to observe your weapon at all times would be if you had it strapped to the top of your head...

I (also waiting on my CHP) carry with either the gun on the seat (most of the time) or in the glovebox (on occasion) and I experience no issues and feel comfortable with either one. I wouldn't feel comfortable about keeping it on my belt, in the off chance I get pulled over I don't want to get railroaded by a cop that would claim it's not visible.

zephyp wrote: Indeed...as proshooter once pointed out that while OCing the ONLY way for someone to observe your weapon at all times would be if you had it strapped to the top of your head...

Obviously, one of the most clever things I've ever come up with

RocKor wrote:I (also waiting on my CHP) carry with either the gun on the seat (most of the time) or in the glovebox (on occasion) and I experience no issues and feel comfortable with either one. I wouldn't feel comfortable about keeping it on my belt, in the off chance I get pulled over I don't want to get railroaded by a cop that would claim it's not visible.

It doesn't necessarily have to be visible to him, since what he can or cannot see is not important. Its more about the manner in which you are carrying.

ProShooter wrote:

zephyp wrote: Indeed...as proshooter once pointed out that while OCing the ONLY way for someone to observe your weapon at all times would be if you had it strapped to the top of your head...

Obviously, one of the most clever things I've ever come up with

Yes, that is a VGOF classic.

I see them coming soon -- hat holsters, with retention...

Some of us, sometimes, might have a problem with cookoff while using such a holster.

dorminWS wrote:Some of us, sometimes, might have a problem with cookoff while using such a holster.

That's what the is for!

Hmm, a hat holster with built in cooling for those of us that are hot heads. What an idea!

That's nothing new...

OakRidgeStars wrote:That's nothing new...

So this is what you come up with in your free time!