Virginia Gunning

[Aaryq]

Howdy folks,
I've decided to put in my request for orders Norfolk.
How do I get a VA Concealed Carry Permit?
Are there any firearms laws that I need to be aware of?
Where can I get info on Gun Shows?
Are there any non-chain style gun stores in the Norfolk area (I like to support small business)?
Are there any good ranges around there?

Questions, comments, gripes, concerns, moans, B's or complaints?

 

[Eric F]

Hi and welcome to the area for a CCW download the paper work from the state police web site take a short class as explained on the site then get finger printed turn in all paperwork must have responce with in 45 days mine took 2 weeks.
No special rules for the state or the arew really execpt no ccw at all in city of chesapeake even for visiters.
Gun shows are well advertised in the area dont worry about that look on line for norfolk scope hamptol coliseum or virginiabeach executive center
Bobs guns in norfolk is the best arouns the armory in va beach and green tops in richmond. A&P arms is also good
A few indoor pistol ranges are easily found Lynhaven A&P is best rifle/pisto but short range. outdoor is richmond ant thats a club out to 500m there or Laffyett gun club in yourtown 100 yard there.
Feel free to pm me for additional info.

 

[Tribal]

CHP:
To get a Concealed Handgun Permit (you can't conceal knives in VA), you need to take a basic handgun safety class, preferably one NRA-approved. I took mine at The Marksman in Newport News; $55 for six hours of instruction. Then you take your application to the Clerk of the Court, pay a fee no more than $45, and wait. If you haven't heard anything after 45 days, your application is treated as a permit until you're notified otherwise. Virginia is a shall-issue state; if you get declined then you need to write to the office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia for help.

Firarms Laws:
Open Carry is legal (although there are some "buts" involving rifles in or near cities)
No concealed carry inside restaurants; all bars are officially restaurants (the no CC rule may be about to change; watch the Legal board here)
Open Carry only in state parks
No carry at schools (unless you're in your vehicle)
One handgun per month (unless you have your CHP)

Gun Shows:
The best two are in Richmond and Norfolk; the ones in Hampton and Virginia Beach aren't as good and I'm told aren't run by pro-2A folks.
List of VA Gun Shows

Stores:
Bob's and A&P are the stores I like most. Bob's has friendlier and more knowledgeable service; A&P has cheaper prices and better hours. Dark Sun, at the gun shows, tends to have the very best prices but sometimes it takes a while to get used to their staff.

Ranges:
There aren't any good public ranges in the area; A&P has an okay indoor range but they're kind of restrictive with their rules. I'd look for a gun club; Lafayette has a wide range of facilities and is located in Yorktown, about an hour away (with traffic). Airfield Shooting Club is new and uses a 4-H facility; I don't know much about them except that they're closer. I suspect that the bases nearby have ranges, though.

 

[Tribal]

Virginia Gun Owner's Guide; I know Bob's sells it and you can find it in various stores.

 

[Apple a Day]

+1 Bob's
+1 A&P

Check out the VCDL website (Virginia Citizen's Defense League). Lots of good info on what's going on in the state and list of upcoming gun shows.

 

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

For what it's worth, I was able to use my DD214 when I got my permit, even though I never touched one of Uncle Sam's guns during my six year enlistment. Not sure if an active ID card will work the same or not.

 

[tinygnat219]

Here is the website with all the information you will need, it contains links to the VA State Police for residnets and non-residents. If you are military, keep your DD214 handy, it satisfies the "safety training" requirement.
http://www.vcdl.org/static/ccw.html

 

[SouthpawShootr]

The best two are in Richmond and Norfolk; the ones in Hampton and Virginia Beach aren't as good and I'm told aren't run by pro-2A folks.

Agree on the Richmond show but disagree on Norfolk.

I'd be interested to know exactly who told you that the Hampton and Virginia Beach shows (which are run by Southeastern Guns & Knives) aren't run by pro-2A people. I find the VA Beach and Hampton shows to be superior to Norfolk shows, which, this last time especially, has largely degenerated into a second rate flea market type affair.

Norfolk charges you for parking for a show you can see everything in less than an hour. The venue (Scope) and city staff are openly hostile to gun owners. VCDL clashes with Norfolk at least annually.

Bob's and A&P have the best inventory this side of Richmond as far as I know. I've dealt with both and find them to both be pleasant and professional. Bob's, BTW, also offers a course that satisfies the concealed handgun course requirement. Every few months, NCRR (Norfolk County Rifle Range) offers NRA sanctioned classes. Dark Sun in Richmond is a very high volume dealer and they really cook at shows. Very hard for the staff to actually talk to people, but when it's slow (early mornings or just before closing) you find out that they're pretty approachable.

Local gunshow promoters are:

• C&E Shows (Richmond - Showplace in Mechanicsville)
• Showmasters (Richmond State Fairgrounds)
• Southeastern Guns & Knives (Hampton and Virginia Beach)
• C&E and Showmasters work together on the Norfolk show

 

[Titan6]

Active duty ID is fine. That is suffcient proof of military training. You still have to pay all the fees though.

http://www.gunshows-usa.com/virginia.htm

You might want to review the laws on assault weapon definitions and open carry and concealed carry in places that serve alcohol. Virginia is fairly pro gun and has no premeption.

 

[Tribal]

Agree on the Richmond show but disagree on Norfolk.

Well, true; Norfolk was disappointing last time but I'm thinking it's because the Salem show was the same week and the Richmond-area dealers may have mostly gone there. Richmond is definitely the best in the area.

I'd be interested to know exactly who told you that the Hampton and Virginia Beach shows (which are run by Southeastern Guns & Knives) aren't run by pro-2A people.

I'm not positive, but I want to say it was someone at Bob's; I'd asked if they did the the Hampton and Virginia Beach shows as well as the Norfolk one and was told that's why they didn't. I could be mistaken, though. I do know that those two make you check your ammo, while Richmond and Norfolk don't.

Speaking of ammunition, I like to get mine cheap at Georgia Arms at the gun shows. They've got all the popular calibers; if you need something special either look around at the show or hit up Bob's or Bass Pro.

Virginia is pretty gun-friendly. Being reasonable generally keeps you on the right side of the law.

 

[chris in va]

Don't know if anyone's mentioned this yet, but currently we are required to open carry when patronizing an establishment that serves alcohol, or leave it in the car. We can't conceal and have dinner in other words.

However, legislation has been put through the house and senate to 'adjust' that ruling to allow CC, it's on the governor's desk as we speak. He can still veto it, but somewhat unlikely as it passed by a wide margin.

We're also now allowed to CC on school grounds PROVIDED you stay in the car with the weapon, IE when picking up your child. Cannot leave the vehicle.

You'll see signs that say 'no guns' such as malls, Wachovia etc. However they don't hold legal water and all they can do is ask you to leave. If you refuse, it's a trespassing charge. Concealed MEANS concealed.

Open carry is legal, but somewhat iffy. People either don't notice or you'll get noticed and have to explain yourself. Nice thing about that, if your jacket flies up and exposes the gun, no biggie. Not a brandishing charge. Until you get your license, you can open carry. When you get in the car, just put it on the seat or somewhere visible.

My permit took about 40 days. They have 45 to get it out, anything over that and the permit application can be used as an actual permit until they do (as I understand things).

A good book to read is The Virginia Gun Owner's Guide. Well worth it.

EDIT: Not sure, but you may have to be a resident for a certain amount of time to get the permit. Just noticed you're changing stations.

 

[ditch_dgr]

I just got my permit here in Virginia. It was pretty simple, I went to the Circuit Court clerk's office in Hampton, filled out a form, gave them a check for 50.00, went across the street got fingerpirinted, permit was in my mailbox in three weeks. My DD-214 was good for training. I think an active duty ID works too. The requirements are here http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_ResidentConcealed.shtm.

As has already been said there are several really decent gun shops in the area and I was able to find better prices at some of them than I saw at the gun shows.

 

[paramedic70002]

No wait time, you sign saying you're a resident, that should be it. The info about Chesapeake in the first post is not valid, old news. VA has state preemption, no local gun laws recognized.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Virginia is fairly pro gun and has no premeption.

Incorrect. Virginia has state preemption; localities cannot have any gun laws stricter than the state.

 

[MSgt B]

Glad to hear you may be coming to this area.

Let me know if it comes together for you.

We'll hit the club together. (Lafayette--check out their web site in my sig line)

Concealed permit is a gimme for active duty/retired/reserve military. $50 and it's yours.

We should know soon if they're going to get rid of the stupid law that requires me to openly display my pistol if I go out to dinner with my family in a restaurant that serves alcohol. The bill goes in front of the governor next week.

 

[Navy joe]

Go to A&P's branch in Hampton 2517 Mercury Blvd. Don't bother with the VaBch A&P unless you want to use the range. Go to the Marine Corps Exchange on Terminal Blvd in Norfolk they sell guns. Also behind the MCX is the Camp Allen shooting range, 25yds indoors, all caliber, only open to those with gov't ID. You can rent a locker there long term and keep your guns there while you are deployed or just there to shoot everyday if you don't have somewhere else to keep them. I shoot there 3 times a week or more when I'm in port. I don't even bother with the Lynnhaven A&P range anymore, too many unsafe people to yell at.