I will be moving to northern VA this summer from Seattle, WA.
Could someone kindly provide some pointers related to shooting/gun matters in northern VA?
First, feel free to email me for more specific info.
I'll try to your questions one by one.
For example, is the NRA range a good place to shoot pistols and rifles? What and who are some of the better local gun shops and gunsmiths?
Yes, the NRA Range is without a doubt the premier indoor firearms range in the country. It is gorgeous - but as you can read on this board (look under Rally POint - or whatever its called - for the posts on the NoVA Shoot) the wait has become unbearable in recent months. Its mostly the result of allowing anyone to use it instead of just NRA members.
You can shoot any pistol caliber there and pretty much any rifle chambering short of 50 BMG. Its a 50 yard indoor range.
There are a couple of other ranges here - but none compares to the NRA. There are at least 2 Izaac Walton chapters and there is Fairfax Rod and Gun club. Those are all somewhat expensive and have sigificant waits associated with membership. You can also join the range at Quantico - its easier if your a vet or in the military - but they occaisionally have openings for the general public too.
There is also Blue Ridge Arsenal - but I don't like to shoot there and it doesn't accept rifle calibers.
As for gun shops - Potomac Arms in Alexandria has an excellent selection of used and historic firearms. Blue Ridge Arsenal is the only dealer in Fairfax know that Galyans is gone. Their selection is limited (though they claim it will improve) and their prices are very high.
For your money, the best bet is probably Virginia Arms in Manasas or Guns and Ammo Warehouse also in Manasas. You can also try Shooters Paradise in Springfield and Dawson's Small Arms of the World. There are a number of Pawn shops too, and some other smaller gun shops, but these are the best to start with (IMHO).
If you want to go a bit further - you can try the Range in Stafford (they sell guns and have a handgun shooting range - they also rent MP5s) and Gander Mountain in Fredersickburg/Spotsylvania.
The smith at Virginia Arms is supposed to be great.
I have been spoiled by the CCP system in WA (background check only; no proficiency requirement; can carry at restaurants that serve alcohol so long as not a "bar"). I understand that VA requires some sort of "training" for CCP and bars carrying even at restaurants if the latter serve alcohol. Is this true?
Carrying in Virgina is about as easy as it gets.
First, you can open carry at any time.
If you want a permit - and I suggest you get one - then you are required to show training - but almost anything qualifies . . . . there isn't a set course you need to take. Most of the CCW courses you see are just NRA Basic Pistol with some additional info on the law of carrying. If your retired military or police or active duty you don't need the course and there are a bunch of other exemptions too.
Once your application is in, it should be less than 90 days, though in some places (Arlington, Alexandria) they will probably hold it for 90 days - if not more - just to harass you.
As far as resataruants/bars - you can carry there - but it has to be open. This usually isn't a problem.
As a side matter, I am also looking for a gun-friendly red town/county in the area. What's the skinny on areas like Chantilly, Falls Church, Great Falls, McLean and Wolf Trap? Is it better to be out of Fairfax County and live somewhere in, say, Loudoun County?
Where are you working? What is your budget?
If your working in DC, you want to be closer in, but your gonna pay a whole heck of a lot more - Over $900K in Great Falls/McLean at a minimum - my townhouse in Mclean is in the cheapest townhouse development here and they are now going for over $650K if you can find one on the market (I paid under $230 for mine
)
I believe as of last weekend there were 6 homes/townhomes listed on this end of Fairfax under $750 - and most of them aren't fit for habitation but instead are being sold as knockdowns.
Falls Church (City of) is almost as expensive as McLean, but if you live in Falls Church (Fairfax County) its significantly less (but then you deal with lots of imigrants, gangs, bad schools, etc). Not sure about Chantilly. Wolf Trap is basically Vienna. I like it, but its also expensive.
Let me know what your thinking or email me more info. My wife works for Long and Foster (she's not a realtor) and I can get you much more detailed info on the local markets (as well as steer you to good realtors.
As far as Loudon vs Fairfax - it again depends on where you are working, how much you want to pay, how much overdevelopment and runaway development you want (Fairfax County - especially McLean - is experiencing infill development now, but has been developed for a longer period of time ie: trees, better traffic flow, established neighborhoods, stable real estate prices. Loudon hasn't and is really a prime example of the race to the bottom in real estate development - now that the county has lost its court case on holding back developers, things are going to be even worse.
Like I said, email me and we can talk in more detail.
