[W.E.G.]

open carry in VA - FOX news video coverage


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeR9LKDtQws

I dunno. That Snyder guy looks pretttttty scary! :cool:

[Blacklabelz]

hold on.. so you can open carry a handgun around anywhere in public w/o a permit or anything and no one can say a thing about it?

[W.E.G.]

Not anywhere.

No schools, courthouses and several other special places listed in 18.2-308, and certain federal properties.

Wal-Mart, Joe's BBQ shack, adult entertainment establishments, etc. are cool.

[Northalius]

Yeah, but I heard we can't have more than one gun on us at a time in VA? LOL! That's moronic! I'm new to VA (moved here about 6 months ago from NYC), so was wondering if this is actually true? Could there be such a stupid law in VA? I mean... SERIOUSLY?!

[steveracer]

Not true. The permit states "concealed weapon". This is a change from "handgun" on my last VA permit.
You can carry more than one, and many of us do.
Steve

[chris in va]

They're calling it a CWP now? Wonder if they allow other non-firearm weapons.

Yeah, but I heard we can't have more than one gun on us at a time in VA? LOL

Not true. I know you can have at least two on you, if not more.

[HungSquirrel]

Nice. I love how the station added to the hysteria by interviewing an eighteen-year-old who can't legally drink at a bar regarding concealed carry in bars. :rolleyes:

[Northalius]

Thanks for the responses. Well, that's nice, but I was going to carry 2-3 on me anyway (3rd will eventually be a NAA Mini .22 Magnum revolver, as my last resort). ;)

I know they made it law for those with guns to open carry where they serve alcoholic beverages, but I don't see open carry as very effective against criminals, since you'll simply be the criminals' first and/or main target, if/when they hold up the place!

However, if EVERYONE in the place is open-carrying, then I'd see that as safe to suggest no criminal will dare bother trying to rob the place outright.

But, until then... if you know you're not drinking AT ALL, then I'd keep 'em concealed at all times.

[novaDAK]

Anyone know if its true that they changed it to a Concealed Weapons Permit?

All I can find still is Concealed Handgun Permit on the VSP site.

[steveracer]

I told you it does. I have mine right in front of me. Need me to post a pic?

[tntwatt]

Notice the news caster couldn't just say "openly carrying" he had to say "flaunting" like the gun owners were waving them around saying "look at what I've got". They always have to spin it negatively.

[usp9]

The Va. application still says handgun. The actual permits are issued by the individual County of residence and perhaps they are worded somewhat differently. Mine says "Permit to carry a concealed handgun" I've also been told the "a" above means one, but I've never seen a one gun limit spelled out in Virginia code and the State police couldn't (or wouldn't), answer the question.

[Paragon]

My permit, issued less than 2 weeks ago, says "Permit to carry a concealed handgun". This is Spotsylvania county, btw.

[ZeSpectre]

Important information/clarification on the topic of “guns and bars” in Virginia.

1) Virginia does not have "Bars". That is to say that Virginia does not allow a business that just serves alcohol. Any such business must also earn a certain percentage from food sales (used to be 51%, don't know if that is still accurate).

2) Virginia law prohibits average citizens from carrying concealed in any establishment that serves alcohol (the anti's and the managed media spend a lot of effort to make political hay by only talking about "bars" because of the slightly seedy and disreputable connotation that implies, but in Virginia we're not talking "bars", we're talking restaurants, and generally upscale ones at that).

3) In Virginia it is legal for any citizen to open carry. Yes, if you can pass all of the background checks and are cleared to purchase a firearm, then you are allowed to carry it openly. Additionally there is no provision to restrict -open- carry in restaurants, the restriction only applies to -concealed- carry.

Interestingly enough there has been a growing movement to change these laws and allow citizens who have a carry concealed permit to CONTINUE to carry concealed and not be forced to publicly switch to open carry (as currently required by law) if they choose to have dinner at a nice restaurant (that serves alcohol) with friends, provided no alcohol was consumed while carrying.

In a political “masterstroke” (that’s sarcasm by the way) our Governor Tim Kaine vetoed that bill (SB#476) stating that "alcohol and guns don't mix" and then turned around less than two weeks later and APPROVED another bill (SB776) that allows OFF DUTY Commonwealth attorneys and their deputies to carry concealed and makes no restrictions on alcohol consumption. Okay Governor Kaine, so “guns and alcohol don’t mix” unless you are an official of the state?

As you may imagine, we've been trying to hold his feet to the fire about this blatant favoritism since and for some reason he keeps dodging us about it.

[steveracer]

You guys won't believe anything, sheesh.

[brickeyee]

The law says you can apply for a permit to carry a concealed handgun.

"D. Any person 21 years of age or older may apply in writing to the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city in which he resides, or if he is a member of the United States Armed Forces, the county or city in which he is domiciled, for a five-year permit to carry a concealed handgun."

The permit is NOT valid for anything else.

[Northalius]

I go by the 2nd Amendment and my logic for REASONING, not by criminal laws passed by government, who're supposed to be our SERVANTS, not MASTERS! We The People are the Masters of our own liberty, and that which protects our liberty: firearms

Therefore, I'll carry as many guns on me as I deem necessary to help ensure my life, and those lives around me, are well-protected in case a bad situation arises.

Too many people are bending over for criminal governments' local laws, when they don't even know that the 2nd Amendment trumps all these other garbage laws they're attempting to pass on us.

If the law says one cannot speak or protest in public without some pathetic "permit", will everyone bend over and listen? Or will they finally get a backbone and say "Screw you, criminal government! We have rights to protest, not simply a privilege, supposedly given permission by 'daddy government' to do so?! Ha! I don't think so!"

Privileges are what permits are for.

Rights are what government has NO say in restricting. It's that plain, and that simple.

Once government gets the sheep to believe the government [supposedly] has a right to restrict our RIGHTS, then tyranny will only follow, eventually.`

[BullfrogKen]

FOXNews interviewee If I was 21 and I went to a bar, and I personally saw a man or a woman carrying a gun I'd feel very uncomfortable just in case something would break out and happen shots would be fired.


I wonder how she feels when she sees the local Peace Officer arrive? After all, its a man or a woman with a gun . . . and something might break out . . . and shots could be fired.


This is the attitude we have to change, and the only way we can do it is by persuasion. I'm sure she's not in fear for her safety standing next to the armed local Policeman or woman. This is an irrational fear. Irrational fears are not resolved with arguments, they are resolved by the victim of the irrational fear coming to grips with it, realizing its not rational, and changing their minds.

[Tribal]

The permit is NOT valid for anything else.

Not true! While you can't normally open-carry a rifle in cities and Fairfax County, you can if you've got a CHP. It hurts my head to try and figure out their logic, but whatever.

[OMGWTFBBQ]

Not true! While you can't normally open-carry a rifle in cities and Fairfax County, you can if you've got a CHP. It hurts my head to try and figure out their logic, but whatever.Here in MN our permits say "permit to carry a pistol", but there is an exception to the law prohibiting people from carrying long arms for people who have a valid permit. There may be a similar exception to the law in VA.

[Viking6]

My permit from York County, VA says to carry a concealed handgun. By the way, they are of the flimsiest card stock and also require a picture ID to be carried with them. FL's permit, on the other hand, looks like a driver's license.

[W.E.G.]

The Clerk of the Court uses WordPerfect or MS-Word to print the Virginia permit on whatever printer they happen to have in their office. The fact that the permit says "Concealed Weapons Permit" appears to be a function of the fact that some Clerks still don't understand the law. Sad, but true.

[brickeyee]

Not true! While you can't normally open-carry a rifle in cities and Fairfax County, you can if you've got a CHP. It hurts my head to try and figure out their logic, but whatever.

They also allow you to purchase as many handguns as you can afford in a month, but we are talking about if a permit allows you to carry any OTHER weapons concealed.

There is a picture above of a "Permit to Carry a Concealed Weapon".
No matter what the permit says it is only valid for concealed handguns.

[shc1]

OK. How about,
Went to a gun shop where I found the Ruger 22-45 and Red Dot mount I had been looking for. (Happy! Happy!)
He handed me the paper work and I was handing over my drivers and concealed permit.
Out of the blue he says:
When was the last time you bought a handgun?
I say:
One day last week, 5 or 6 days ago.
He says:
Sorry I can’t sell to you, it’s been less than a week.:scrutiny:
I reckon I had my mean face on that day.

Times are a changing in VA.

[chris in va]

Issued Jan 2005.

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/816/imgp1543gi3.jpg

Sorry I can’t sell to you, it’s been less than a week.


What? I wasn't aware you had to wait a week.

[Mortech]

God I love living in WA state , no friggin waiting periods or buy limits . We can conceal or open carry .

[SaltH2OHokie]

Re: Week wait in VA...

My feeble understanding of the code was that if you have a CHP, you can essentially purchase to your heart's (or wallet's) content?

[lowtech1]

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/1Slow97/ccw.jpg

as renewed on 03/2007

[altitude_19]

Someone said bars are out but other places of business ("Wal-Mart") were okay. I open carried late one night in Wal-Mart (Cheyenne, WY) once and was hastily advised by the manager (rudely) that it was illegal to carry in a department store. I had never heard of such legislation but agreed the authorities ought to be contacted to sort the matter out. Three gentlemen from Cheyenne PD arrived and one wasted no time berating the decision to open carry my firearm. I reminded the good officer he was not there to dole out advice, but to determine the veracity of the manager's claims (I was pushing my luck, but only because of frustration at being held up by a department store manager who thought he was a lawyer and a LEO on a power trip). The officer was then kind enough to confirm there was NO law against carrying in a department store (I'm sure the good people of the Wyoming state legislature have bigger fish to fry). The manager then advised (and I have my doubts as to the veracity of this claim as well) that there was a store policy against carrying firearms inside, despite the fact there are arms and ammo sold in the store. The funny thing is, following a late night out in the boonies where one feels obligated to protect oneself, I was actually there to buy ammo. I decided I could get fuel for the 30-06 later and took my business to the local gunshop the next day.

[Hoffy]

Another county heard from:

My permit from Stafford county says "a concealed handgun."

[malakas07]

My permit says "Concealed Handgun Permit"

And yes you can open carry legally in VA. Guys do it here all the time.
3 days ago I was walking to one of my fishing spots in Norfolk and I say a guy walking his Pitbull with a 1911 in a OWB holster.

People open carry around here but it does draw alot of attention to you. I can see why
you wouldn't want to do it. I'd say its even worse in a bar.

[brickeyee]

§ 18.2-308.2:2. Criminal history record information check required for the transfer of certain firearms.

P. Except as provided in subdivisions 1, 2 and 3 of this subsection, it shall be unlawful for any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer to purchase more than one handgun within any 30-day period. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

1. Purchases in excess of one handgun within a 30-day period may be made upon completion of an enhanced background check, as described herein, by special application to the Department of State Police listing the number and type of handguns to be purchased and transferred for lawful business or personal use, in a collector series, for collections, as a bulk purchase from estate sales and for similar purposes. Such applications shall be signed under oath by the applicant on forms provided by the Department of State Police, shall state the purpose for the purchase above the limit, and shall require satisfactory proof of residency and identity. Such application shall be in addition to the firearms sales report required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). The Superintendent of State Police shall promulgate regulations, pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), for the implementation of an application process for purchases of handguns above the limit.

Upon being satisfied that these requirements have been met, the Department of State Police shall forthwith issue to the applicant a nontransferable certificate, which shall be valid for seven days from the date of issue. The certificate shall be surrendered to the dealer by the prospective purchaser prior to the consummation of such sale and shall be kept on file at the dealer's place of business for inspection as provided in § 54.1-4201 for a period of not less than two years. Upon request of any local law-enforcement agency, and pursuant to its regulations, the Department of State Police may certify such local law-enforcement agency to serve as its agent to receive applications and, upon authorization by the Department of State Police, issue certificates forthwith pursuant to this subsection. Applications and certificates issued under this subsection shall be maintained as records as provided in subdivision B 3. The Department of State Police shall make available to local law-enforcement agencies all records concerning certificates issued pursuant to this subsection and all records provided for in subdivision B 3.

2. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to:

a. A law-enforcement agency;

b. An agency duly authorized to perform law-enforcement duties;

c. State and local correctional facilities;

d. A private security company licensed to do business within the Commonwealth;

e. The purchase of antique firearms as herein defined;

f. A person whose handgun is stolen or irretrievably lost who deems it essential that such handgun be replaced immediately. Such person may purchase another handgun, even if the person has previously purchased a handgun within a 30-day period, provided (i) the person provides the firearms dealer with a copy of the official police report or a summary thereof, on forms provided by the Department of State Police, from the law-enforcement agency that took the report of the lost or stolen handgun; (ii) the official police report or summary thereof contains the name and address of the handgun owner, the description of the handgun, the location of the loss or theft, the date of the loss or theft, and the date the loss or theft was reported to the law-enforcement agency; and (iii) the date of the loss or theft as reflected on the official police report or summary thereof occurred within 30 days of the person's attempt to replace the handgun. The firearms dealer shall attach a copy of the official police report or summary thereof to the original copy of the Virginia firearms transaction report completed for the transaction and retain it for the period prescribed by the Department of State Police;

g. A person who trades in a handgun at the same time he makes a handgun purchase and as a part of the same transaction, provided that no more than one transaction of this nature is completed per day;

h. A person who holds a valid Virginia permit to carry a concealed handgun;

i. A person who purchases a handgun in a private sale. For purposes of this subdivision, a private sale means purchase from a person who makes occasional sales, exchanges or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection of curios or relics as herein defined, or who sells all or part of such collection of curios and relics; or

j. A law-enforcement officer. For purposes of this subdivision, a law-enforcement officer means any employee of a police department or sheriff's office that is part of or administered by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, and who is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the penal, traffic or highway laws of the Commonwealth.

3. For the purposes of this subsection, "purchase" shall not include the exchange or replacement of a handgun by a seller for a handgun purchased from such seller by the same person seeking the exchange or replacement within the 30-day period immediately preceding the date of exchange or replacement.

Note section 2h.