Moving to N. VA: Seeking Advice

[JJNA]

countertop:

We settled for southern part of Loudoun County. Close enough to Fairfax and DC, but slightly lower property and vehicle taxes (and more trees off my backyard!), and more Bush 2004 stickers.

chris in va:

Pretty close, many of your were right on the money. I have not open-carried at a restaurant yet, but will do so (I've already prepared my wife for the "embarrassment"). A good thing is VA recognizes my WA permit.

garyk/nm:

Thank you for the compliment. As usual, some liked it a lot, others hated it. I did get quite a few "good riddance" type e-mails with lots of four letter words (but not nearly as many as the time when I wrote a column endorsing the president before the last election -- I received hundreds the first day!).

If you liked that piece, you might like this one too -- it's about dog poop and Seattle: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002239424_jamesna13.html

I have to say, here I see everyone picking up after his dog poo. More respect for property rights and just plain better manners, I guess.

By the way, I don't always write irreverent pieces. I often write about serious issues of foreign policy and national security. If you are interested in other columns of mine, please visit my blog, Guns and Butter (link below) and see "My Published Op-Eds" below "Current Post Index" on the right. I usually write for the Seattle Times and RealClearPolitics.

Thank you again, everyone, for your helpful advice.

 

[DrAmazon]

Fredericksburg is getting pricey too

I moved to F'burg from Colorado about a month ago. Housing prices here are pretty insane too. I'm renting 1300 sq ft, 3 BR ranch, no garage, no carport, no attic, no basement. It would sell for $225K and would sell quickly. You can't touch a townhouse for less than $200K, unless it's in the "sketchy" part of town.

 

[johnmcl]

Welcome to VA

Hi James,

I'm a late add to reading this thread, but welcome to the Old Dominion.

So how about if we go shooting at my range and then do lunch at a great little Thai restaurant in Manassas? We can then visit Virginia Arms, arguably the best gun shop in NoVa.

My range is the Centreville Izaak Walton League. We can do anything from 25 to 100 yds there. By the way, the IWLA is a steal, running about $140 a year for skeet range, trap range, 100 yd rifle/pistol, and the one of the best archery ranges in Virginia.

Keep well, and welcome again...

John

 

[garyk/nm]

James,
You're welcome! Just read your "dog poop" piece. You have a new fan! I will be watching for more of your thoughtful writings.

garyk/nm: Seattle area resident of 22+ years, now living in the sunshine!

 

[countertop]

johnmcl -

Any chance I can join you out at your range?

Been looking at joining, but there always seems to be a Redskin like wait list (of course, the Redskin's just pulled my number for Tickets after 8 years - I declined with a little note to Danny Boy on what I thought of him and his attitude )

 

[JJNA]

Thank you all so much for the invitation to go shoot. For the moment, however, I have to catch up with work and setting up a new household, so I will have to take a raincheck for now.

I love guns and, yes, they were the first things I unpacked, but I also have to get a paycheck to sustain the gun habit.

In the mean time, I will definitely check out the sites and the organizations mentioned so far. As time (or my wife) allows, I will start checking out the gun stores and clubs too.

And garyk/nm, thank you for your kind words. You indeed do live in a beautiful state.

By the way, speaking of NoVA politics, what in God's name is wrong with Herndon? I thought that I left the illegal alient lovefest behind in Seattle!

 

[johnmcl]

CounterTop - Yes

Counter,

Sorry for the late reply. I'd been out of town and now am home.

Drop me a note at [email protected] and we'll do it. I'll put a note into the membership chairman and see what the story is on joining.

John

 

[JJNA]

Okay, so I open-carried for the first time at a Thai restaurant in Sterling. No problem, no fuss (except the food was very bad). But to be clear, I don't think anyone saw the firearm.

I must admit, I still don't like the idea of open-carrying anywhere. Since I arrived in NoVA, I have concealed-carried (my WA permit is good here) except at restaurants.

VA is supposed to be much "redder" than WA, but gun regulations are arguably more restrictive and my tax burden is heavier (WA has no state income tax and no personal property tax on cars)! But I do understand that WA has heavier taxes and regulations on businesses, which is not good in the long-term (income tax means nothing if there is no income due to no business). In addition, VA has a better legal environment for my wife's profession.

All in all, we are happy about the move, despite the above factors.

Also, in case anyone is interested, here are my recent columns:

Sovereignty, from Sea to Sea (The Seattle Times; also reprinted in RealClearPolitics). This is my ode to America.

The US Congress Strikes Back in "the Battle of Inchon" (RealClearPolitics). Why regime-change in North Korea requires regime-change in South Korea.

 

[XLMiguel]

Nice column, James. I'm a littel jealous, as in my 57 years I have yet to drive across country, though I've flown over most of it. We are planning on relocating to Santa Fe next year, so maybe I'll get my chance then .

I particularly appreciated your point about the fragmentation vs the rest of the World trying to become more American. I've never understood why the Moonbats harp on 'cultural diversity', as their notion of social engineering seems to focus on the divisive aspect of diversity, and maintaining our differences doesn't foster unity the way a common language does, not ot mention that it necessary to further the dialog on Freedom and Liberty across all cultures. People come here to become Americans, with all that implies. If they wanted to be Fruementians, they's have stayed in Fruementia.

The Moonbats just don't understand America (musta slept thru history class or figured it was too 'Euro-centric ), as they've obviously missed the point that we're The Melting Pot, we've always been culturally diverse, it's what makes us a strong and unique culture. We've always been able take and apapt the best part from the cultures of all those who come here to become Americans (E Pluribus Unum, afterall). It's like alloying metal, we take the purest elements and blend them into a metal that's much better and stronger than each of its parts individually.

Sorry to be reambling on, but I did like your piece and it obviously struck a chord. I hope to meet you in person sometime, maybe over at the NRA range sometime when the dust settles at your place.
best regards,

 

[Smurfslayer]

You get used to it...

Okay, so I open-carried for the first time at a Thai restaurant in Sterling. No problem, no fuss (except the food was very bad). But to be clear, I don't think anyone saw the firearm.

I must admit, I still don't like the idea of open-carrying anywhere. Since I arrived in NoVA, I have concealed-carried (my WA permit is good here) except at restaurants.

You get a little more accustomed to it. Your experience it typical; usually it is no fuss, no muss. http://www.bighammer.net/pages/12/index.htm

come out and join us at NRA too:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=1951519#post1951519
Friday evenings, or the 4th Wed of the month.

 

[JJNA]

Mike in VA:

Thank you for the kind words. I envy you, actually. Santa Fe is one of my favorite places to visit (the celebrities notwithstanding; on the other hand, celebrities mean good food, which I appreciate).

One of my favorite restaurants in the world, Santa Cafe, is in Santa Fe. The cactus spring roll there is amazing.

No rambling at all. I agree with all of it (obviously). By the way, there is a sequel of sorts to that column here.

Smurfslayer:

Your reports are very handy, but they are all chain restaurants!

So this is what I think I'll do the next time I visit the friendly neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant where little English is spoken (I hope the folks there think I am not a gangster ):

I'll wear a belt holster, concealed with a jacket or otherwise suitable outer garment. When I enter the restaurant and sit down, I'll remove the jacket and reveal the pistol/holster. Then I'll have my meal and put the jacket back on at the table and walk out.

Do you think that's okay or does the law (or the application of it) dictate I remove the garment and reveal the firearm as soon as I enter the establishment?

By the way, one restaurant where I could conceal to my heart's content? An Afghan joint with no ABC! They're Muslims, you see? They don't serve alcohol! Ahhh, one of life's ironies.