Moving to VA--where is it going in terms of gun laws?

[zpat]

Hi all, I've joined this forum in anticipation of possibly moving to Virginia. My wife and I are strongly considering it. This move is purely our own choice, no job relocation, etc. it just happens to be one of the few states on our short list of places where we would like to move, settle down and raise a family. One of the many reasons it made the short list is the current favorable gun climate in the state, say versus NY, MA or CA just to name a few. In fact, we were strongly considering MD until the recent gun decisions made in that state. And it is those very decisions that MD suddenly made which is prompting me to post here.

I'd like to get the straight, no bull sentiment from you all who live in Virginia about firearms laws and the political climate to come in the state. The last thing on earth I want to do is move to a state that ends up being anti-firearms within the next 10 years. Moving is a big deal, starting a family an even bigger deal. And part of my existing family is a decent sized NFA collection ranging from a few machine guns to cans to quite a few SBRs & a couple SBS. I've invested years in my firearms collection, knowledge and general hobby and moving to a state that outlaws a portion or all of my quasi-family members is scary! I plan on acquiring more NFA items over the next decade, and given the possibility of a new ATF regulatory environment for NFA, locality will be more important than ever.

I can't even imagine how upset and sad I would be right now if I had moved to MD, only to go from being relatively firearms friendly (mind the magazine limits & pistol limits) to bordering CA level of restrictions. To be quite honest, my worry is the growth of liberals in the D.C. area and the fact that VA voted for Obama both times?!? Is this a sign of things to come? And I know a few of you will think about trying to convince me to come to strengthen the pro-firearms numbers but I implore you to try to give me as unbiased of information as you can. VA has a lot of strong points, so even if the firearms situation is shaky, my guess is we will end up there most likely. We have visited many times in all different seasons and really enjoy the place.

I really appreciate your help. And to be clear about what I'm looking for: your opinion about where VA is going politically over the next decade with regards to firearms restrictions, becoming a Democrat state enough where they could push an anti-gun agenda, are VA Democrats anti-gun?, are there any pro-gun movements gaining traction to repeal any existing restrictions, etc.. any information you can share is appreciated. And yes, your conjecture and speculation is appreciated especially if you can explain why you think a certain outcome is likely.

Thanks!

[MarcSpaz]

Maryland hasn't been gun friendly since it was founded in 1846. LOL

VA is extremely gun friendly pretty much everywhere except for Northern Virgina around the DC area. Lots of libs. Fortunately, there are more conservatives than liberals statewide.

It is almost impossible to predict the climate for any specific area of policy, especially in a "controversial" area such as self-defense. I can tell you this, members of this forum, many sport club members and 2A advocacy groups are working hard to review the performance history compared to promises made and are making sure that we get the word out to elect candidates that will make a full court press to ensure our constitutional rights don't get revoked due to media and political bias.

[jrswanson1]

I think the second Obama election was a scam, how did he make up a 100,000 deficit and win by 100,000 when Prince William County votes were tallied? Anyway, we're pretty pro-firearms here, and the more people like you moving here, the better.

[Swampman]

We do have a gubernatorial election coming up. Cuccinelli is gun friendly, but his democrat challenger, Terry McAuliffe, is not. McAwful (one of his many nicknames) is a former Clinton advisor and is very good at raising money. He wants to expand background checks at least to include gun shows, but may also want to include personal transfers between Virginians.

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/35 ... -c-w-cooke

Don't know how this is all going to end, but we'll find out in November.

[zpat]

I think my worry is, how fast is the D.C. area growing in VA, is it exploding?

If VA ends up with a democrat governor who is firearms unfriendly, and he pushed for aggressive firearms laws, is the legislature in VA conservative enough to prevent this? are there enough checks/balances to keep the playing field even?

[vaeevictiss]

We do have a strong conservative legislature... fortunately...for now...

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[tinner666]

Not to worry. I've applied for a permit to bulldoze most of the Arlington and DC adjoining areas. I plan on giving one-way tickets to Dumburgers' minions to NYC.

[Reverenddel]

To be honest?

I have lived in the Commonwealth all my life, and it's gotten MORE gun friendly in the past 10-15 years.

With the "Shall Issue" CHP's.
The "Concealed Restaurant" carry.
The "Console Concealed" for vehicles without a permit.
MOST (not all) of the CLEO's will sign for NFA items.

It's gotten distinctively better, living in Hanover County? You get all the "arts, and entertainment" of the city, but it's decidely CONSERVATIVE. Sheriff Cook basically told the BATFE to pound sand when they wanted him to cooperate with that fiasco of going to people's house, and interviewing their neighbors to prevent "straw purchases".

Places to avoid? NoVa, Tidewater, Charlottesville, City of Richmond, Roanoke.

You lose those five places? We're so "red" we're BURGUNDY....

I love SouthWestern Va, and the surrounding rural areas, and the history, and the language, and the culture...

But I'm so tired of "Carpetbaggers", and "Transplants", and wish they were all "Come here's" like you zpat...

[Remek]

I think the upcoming election will be telling. Right now, it is as Reverenddel has said, we have continued to be more and more gun friendly. With the recent attacks, if Mcawful gets in, it would not only surprise me, but make me think about moveing to another state.

That said, i am betting the republicans sweep the election, despite the bloomberg $$$ being pumped into mcawfuls campaign. I have seen a very strong backlash in this state after the attacks on our god given rights.

If you must decide before the election, I'd say it was a good safe choice.

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[vaeevictiss]

I'll be honest... as much as I talk crap about the yankees lol, I unfortunately am one lol. I grew up in a suburb of Buffalo, ny. That being said you have to look at where from a state people come from.

Where I lived people had guns, and even though you couldn't, people had them in their cars. The cops just didn't care. Granted im sure that all changed.

I left for the military at 17 and never once wanted to move back. I would have stayed in tx if it weren't for a job offer in va I couldn't pass up.

My parents are retired now and visit often. I almost wish they would just move down at times and get out of there.

Buffalo is the next Detroit. There really is nothing left there, but it's good to know that not all people from those states are l looking to leave just to destroy another.

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[OakRidgeStars]

Places to avoid? NoVa, Tidewater, Charlottesville, City of Richmond, Roanoke.

Tidewater? Really?

Why?

[HighExpert]

You will be much better off in some of the more rural counties such as Powhatan or Cumberland as well as others due to the attitude of the local sheriff departments. I can shoot in my backyard, hunt behind my house and just generally do my best at having a good time as long as you are responsible. I have four acres so it doesn't take a lot of land to be able to exercise your rights.

[UnderwaterMike]

Perhaps I missed it, but did you say what you do for a living?

I moved to Fairfax County from NC in 1996 and have watched it become steadily more liberal since then. I'd love to get out but, unfortunately, for my occupation most of the jobs are in DC and surrounding burbs. As some of these guys have mentioned, moving downstate and/or to more rural areas will get you where you want to be politically, but for employment reasons that's not always possible.

One other thing: I volunteered for local, statewide and national candidates almost every election since I got here. In fact, I'm going back out to knock doors this weekend, despite back problems for which I may need surgery. Wherever you decide to move, if you don't get involved in helping the "good guys" win, it's the same as asking the bad guys to take over. The population growth is predominantly in liberal-dominated areas, so getting pro-gun voters to turn out and contribute is imperative no matter where you're at.

[SHMIV]

I've lived a great many places, and I am in a different state almost every day, OP. I can't see living outside of VA, anymore.

You should be fine in VA, as long as you stay south of Fredericksburg.

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[Reverenddel]

Tidewater has an influx of those on public assistance... and has increasingly become more "blue"...

And "V"? As I have said there are "Carpetbaggers", "Transplants", and "Come-Heres"...

I love the "Come-Heres"! They moved for the culture, the freedom, the low taxes, and the opportunities... I welcome them full on with a glass of Sweet Tea, and Smithfield Ham...

But the "Carpetbaggers" in NoVa have turned the place into "D.C. South", and I frakin' hate them for it.

The "Transplants" are here as students, or spouses of natives, or people simply working for the guv'mint till they can leave.

They have NO vested interest in keeping the Commonwealth the way it is, because they're not staying anyway. And as UnderwaterMike said... "You gotta get involved!"

Join the VCDL, find a political group that fits you, join a church/temple/mosque, or Hobbyist organization. The more involved you are in your community, the more we can counter the "Blue Bellied" squeaky wheels.

[Swampman]

zpat, some have said, stay south of Fredericksburg. You could come west as well, out near Winchester. I live just west of Front Royal and it's very red out here. I-66 gives you access to DC and the burbs, if you can stand the hour and a half commute. Me? I work out of my house and drive to job sites, so I can avoid the traffic most times. There are plenty of places in the radius around DC that you can go to be in friendly territory. Oh, and I'm a "come here" as well. Born and raised in NJ and couldn't wait to get out. Went to college in the Shenandoah Valley and loved it. Left for a job and got back here as quick as I could. I won't be leaving. Managed to have both of my daughters born in the Old Dominion even when I lived somewhere else. I think the last two elections where we turned purple were an aberration. The election next month will tell a lot about where VA is heading. Good luck with your search and we'd love to have you here.

[Bags30]

Don't listen to them. Come to NoVa and bring all of your friends. Maybe the Libs will get scared and move to Maryland.

[Kreutz]

Moved here about 3 years ago from the metro NY area; this place is extraordinarily gun friendly. This may change somewhat if the whore wins the governors race, but we'll survive.

Where specifically are you looking to put down roots zpat? VCDL is the state organization pushing to remove unnecessary gun laws, look into joining them when you get down. They don't harass you for $ like the NRA does which is refreshing.

Places to avoid? NoVa, Tidewater, Charlottesville, City of Richmond, Roanoke.

Roanoke is a nice little city

I'd recommend living in the county or Salem though.

[tinner666]

RIchmond is gun friendly for OC and CC. We just have to get the idiots voted out. SOme are gone and it seems to be limited to the ones getting the handouts, the non resident students and certain idiots runnng for office.
Johnny Walker said he was gonna get rid of the guns if he got in office. I told him he was an idiot and spread the word. I can't even remember who I did vote for, but Jones and somebody still beat my guys.
Just have to get them out and real people in!

[Reverenddel]

Never said to NOT VISIT, just AVOID LIVING THERE! HAHAHAH

Trust me! Before D.C. went all crazy? i would visit a couple times a month.

Since 2009? I can count the number of D.C. visits on one hand, with fingers to spare.