"4) Federal GFSZ. I know the CHP exception for driving into an actual school zone in a vehicle, but what about the 1000 feet around the school zone rule? To clarify, I'm not going into any actual school zones, all I'm worried about is unknowingly crossing into one of these larger 1000 feet "buffer" zones while driving by the school on a public road."
This has been a bit of a bone of contention over a number of threads which tends to leave it up to one's interpretation. Basically the federal law does not apply, in regards to your question, if;
"(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license;"
Here is the rub. Notice the words, "if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located". In Virginia, there is no such thing as a license to possess a firearm so basically none of this applies to us. This would seem to mean that since these exceptions don't apply then we are NOT exempt from carrying within the 1000 foot limit from a school. However to my knowledge, this has never been an issue here in Virginia.
Now I tend to read things very literally and accept the fact that words have meaning and others may see this differently. But the phrase, "if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located in which the school zone is located" is pretty clear to me and it controls everything that follows in this enumerated section. Most will say that having your CHP exempts you from this law but that is not what it says. It clearly states "if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State".
I think you'll find that most everyone on these forums will tell you not to worry about this anyway.
"3) Is it ok to have the handgun on the hip in OWB holster while sitting in the vehicle? Yes Basically, same way that I'd OC outside, but it's much less visible while inside a vehicle, especially a tall one (like truck/SUV)?"
Yes, it is fine to have your sidearm openly carried in your holster while in your vehicle. Think about it this way. Suppose you were standing at a magazine or book rack in a store and an LEO approached you on your weak side. He is not going to see your gun unless he moves around to your strong side. Does this mean you are trying to conceal your gun? Or suppose you are seated at a booth in a restaurant and your strong side is to the wall. Are you concealing your gun when doing this? The answer is a resounding "no" to both scenarios. Same thing if you are sitting in or driving a vehicle.
Your intent is clearly to carry the gun openly and you have made no effort to deliberately conceal the gun from "common observation". If, on the other hand, you were stopped by an LEO and as he was sitting in his cruiser reporting the stop, you decided to cover your gun with your shirt tail then yes, you would be concealing it deliberately and that would not be legal.
And BTW, INAL.
