I did something really stupid and now, I am paying the price.

[40-82]

I'm from the Virginia mountains. I still rarely see open carry in town. When I do, it's generally ignored. Clerk of the Court offices understand up here that Clerk of the Court is an elected office. Treatment is decent and courteous, but I don't know that they could speed approval of an expired permit. Any trouble with the law will cook your renewal.
I carry openly on the farm or its environs or maybe if I'm rushing to a parts store in town when I don't have time to change and I need to get a machine back in operation. I flatly wouldn't carry openly in eastern Virginia. You'll find case law unfavorable in unfriendly venues. One I read of in Virginia Wildlife Magazine, a man held a sporting shotgun close to his body but openly. He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. In another conversation with a big city policeman, he said open carry was ignored going into and out of gun shops and ranges. Anywhere else, and he took the person in front of a Magistrate to explain why the person carried a gun. Then they acted like they were doing you a favor when they let you go with a warning. Sure, if you know the law, you can beat them, but do you really want to go out of the way to get that kind of attention? Some people of course do.

Sometimes one of my lawyers comes up from the east to hunt with me. When he leaves, there are no guns, gun cases, camouflage, or hunting gear visible from the outside. He says, "Go east of Roanoke and the world changes."

The truth is most people in Virginia don't realize that open carry is legal in Virginia. Almost as many don't know it's legal to carry concealed. The media isn't on our side, and they're not about to educate citizens about rights they don't approve of.

For the immediate future, we're safe politically, though not so safe the situation doesn't deserve constant vigilance. Urban areas are growing faster, which is why the Democrats have carried the national elections, but look at a political map of the vote. Outside of urban areas, Virginia is solid red.

The fastest growing demographics among gun owners are women and minorities. When a person asks himself the question, "How am I better off? Hiding behind an all powerful government or possessing individual rights?" Don't assume the future will be possessed by those who are so intent upon giving up rights.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I'm from the Virginia mountains. I still rarely see open carry in town. When I do, it's generally ignored. Clerk of the Court offices understand up here that Clerk of the Court is an elected office. Treatment is decent and courteous, but I don't know that they could speed approval of an expired permit. Any trouble with the law will cook your renewal.
I carry openly on the farm or its environs or maybe if I'm rushing to a parts store in town when I don't have time to change and I need to get a machine back in operation. I flatly wouldn't carry openly in eastern Virginia. You'll find case law unfavorable in unfriendly venues. One I read of in Virginia Wildlife Magazine, a man held a sporting shotgun close to his body but openly. He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. In another conversation with a big city policeman, he said open carry was ignored going into and out of gun shops and ranges. Anywhere else, and he took the person in front of a Magistrate to explain why the person carried a gun. Then they acted like they were doing you a favor when they let you go with a warning. Sure, if you know the law, you can beat them, but do you really want to go out of the way to get that kind of attention? Some people of course do.

Sometimes one of my lawyers comes up from the east to hunt with me. When he leaves, there are no guns, gun cases, camouflage, or hunting gear visible from the outside. He says, "Go east of Roanoke and the world changes."

The truth is most people in Virginia don't realize that open carry is legal in Virginia. Almost as many don't know it's legal to carry concealed. The media isn't on our side, and they're not about to educate citizens about rights they don't approve of.

For the immediate future, we're safe politically, though not so safe the situation doesn't deserve constant vigilance. Urban areas are growing faster, which is why the Democrats have carried the national elections, but look at a political map of the vote. Outside of urban areas, Virginia is solid red.

The fastest growing demographics among gun owners are women and minorities. When a person asks himself the question, "How am I better off? Hiding behind an all powerful government or possessing individual rights?" Don't assume the future will be possessed by those who are so intent upon giving up rights.

You make some good points. And it needs to be pointed out that Yes, the Urban areas are growing rapidly. And they have so much pull in the electoral vote. As I mentioned, we use to be a solid Red but now a solid Blue. I doubt we will ever see a Republican Governor again.

 

[FROGO207]

So you trusted a government entity to do what they said they would do? Sorry bout that! Statistically speaking there will be no problems in that amount of time however frustrating. it will pass quickly and you will be better prepared for the next renewal. I feel your pain though, things could be run a lot differently if those in charge wanted it to!

 

[Jack Ryan]

I have had a concealed permit now for 10 yrs. I live in Virginia, and have to renew every 5 years. Virginia, written in their rules and regulations, clearly states that they will mail you a notice before your permit expires. Well, Virginia is one lame state and they did not.
My mistake was not paying attention to the expiration date and putting it on my calendar.

Ok, two days after expiration, I panic, get in my car and with $50.00 head to the court house with all the necessary paperwork filled out. I did not trust them to just send the renewal in the mail.

What a nightmare. First the 30 minute walk to the Courthouse after searching for a parking spot for what seemed like eternity. Then the maze of trying to find the office that handles the transaction.
After waiting in a line, the clerk, asked how do you want to Pay? I was ready, CASH! I replied.
"Well Sir, then you will have to get into that line over there to pay cash". I looked at the long line and said Ok, then what else will you take. Credit card, was the reply, but add a additional $2.50.

Fine, I handed over the card. No way at this point was I getting into a new line with a new clerk that I knew would get confused with paper work going from one clerk to the other.

She took the money and said. "Ok, now we will send you the renewed permit in 45 days." So can I still Carry my conceal permit? NO, you must wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I now feel naked. I feel lost, something not right, Not use to open carry and quickly finding it is not what I want to do. Have been trying out all my old holsters, No longer will I be able to wear my shirts outside of pants. Will not be able to wear a Jacket, or at least find one that will not conceal the firearm.

This is a taste of what taking away rights must feel like. I will take this as a lesson. A lesson to be more aware of my rights, and think about how serious it is to be proactive and supportive of the NRA etc.

Edited by Odd Job: let's dial down the heat, okay?

Check the law for your self. I believe most states allow for carry of your renewal application and the old permit until the new one is issued or denied.

That minimum wage clerk many not even have a clue what the rules are beyond taking your money and giving a receipt.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

So you trusted a government entity to do what they said they would do? Sorry bout that! Statistically speaking there will be no problems in that amount of time however frustrating. it will pass quickly and you will be better prepared for the next renewal. I feel your pain though, things could be run a lot differently if those in charge wanted it to!

No, I did not trust the Gov. In fact in my earlier post I mentioned that I took full responsibility by not putting the expiration date on my calendar (Hence the title of my thread, "I did something really stupid")
.I just found it laughable that they actually put in print that they would mail out a letter before expiration. And I posted as a warning to all to be aware of when you Permit expires and plan accordingly.
I also got a kick out when I looked at my receipt, The extra charge because they would not take cash at the main line I was in and had to pay more to use my credit card rather than stand in yet another line to pay cash. They called in on the receipt a CONVENIENCE CHARGE.Obviously it is easier for people to stand in a seperate line to pay cash, rather than the clerk to have just taken my $50.00. Seems I paid for THEIR convenience.

 

[Speedo66]

You seem extremely worked up over the fact that you won't be able to carry for 45 days or so. Really? What did you do for 21 years until you became eligible to carry? I have a feeling somehow you managed.

After service in the Army and 40 years of LE I rarely carry, and somehow I survive.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I believe most states allow for carry of your renewal application and the old permit until the new one is issued or denied.

Colorado specifically does not. I'd have a hard time believing that any state would but as you said "Check the law for yourself".

 

[Fiv3r]

In Indiana I was told that my receipt and my old permit would suffice until my new permit came in. Now, take that with a grain of salt. It was the lady working the counter at the Sheriff's office and not the state AG. That said, I spend most of my time in the county my permit is in, so I figured I could refer back to her if I had a problem. I never did.

I traveled to the lovely state of Virginia 7 or so years ago. Open carry is just fine. I was a tourist at Williamsburg and simply open carried in plain sight. I had a black LCP in a black nylon holster worn OWB on my black belt at about 1 o'clock with my black nylon phone case worn horizontally at about 2 o'clock. I had my black camera on my black nylon strap around my neck that hung down to my belt. I wore a fully open Hawaiian print shirt over my black tank top. It never covered the lcp and stayed tucked behind my phone case.

So black on black on black on black on etc. Touristy gadgets and a nice loud shirt to draw the eye away from the gun. Never got a second look.

If I were going to go super easy, I'd just get a kydex NAA sheath and wear a 22 mag Pug on a dog tag chain outside my shirt. That would work for me for a month and a half. Heck, I may go ahead and do that anyway this summer. They don't weigh anything and I like the cute little buggers.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

You seem extremely worked up over the fact that you won't be able to carry for 45 days or so. Really? What did you do for 21 years until you became eligible to carry? I have a feeling somehow you managed.

After service in the Army and 40 years of LE I rarely carry, and somehow I survive.

No, it may sound as if I am worked up, More irritated at the Process and the bureaucracy. that seems to be getting worse all the time. Actually had a very nice day at the range today. Great stress reliever.
My post was more about a warning to others, to avoid this unpleasant BS.

 

[HOWARD J]

Many years ago my permit took 2 trips to Detriot & approx 3 months. I reuped a couple weeks ago---one trip to a city 4 miles away-received in mail 4 days later. Only bad part was the $115 cost for 5 years

 

[Pat Riot]

Well, I left Oregon and moved to California.
I moved to be near family.
I can get a permit here but the process will take 18-24 months due to the “waiting list” and there are no guarantees and they couldn’t care less about my past permits in other states.

Talk about feeling naked...

I have no one to blame but myself so I am sucking it up and dealing with it and trying to stay legal.

 

[Odd Job]

I think we've covered all the angles here. I trust you gentlemen won't be too put out if I close it now.