imported post
My impression is that Fairfax is about as good as it gets for open carry in Virginia (although many other areas are fine, too). Although Fairfax is probably the least "southern" part of Virginia, the police force has beencontinuously impressive in its knowledge of Virginia gun laws (open carry in particular) and in its responsiveness to citizen concerns in the past.
On another note, I participated in a "mock robbery" very recently.Two Hanover sherriffs deputies (and several teenage boys in an explorer program affiliated with the department) participated along with about 30 employees. It was interesting (although nothing new) and the officer was a great guy. He did say that if you notice a concealed weapon on an individual it isone of thesigns you were about to be robbed. He mentioned that sometimes when people conceal on their waist you can see the printing of the gun; or a jacket or outer shirtshifts in such a waythat you can see part of a concealed gun. Makes you wonder what he'd say about an open carrier! He also said that most (he was careful to say "but not all") officers will have their badge next to their gun so if you see that when a shirt moves you know it is an officer. It is not that I disagree that the inadvertent sight of a concealed gun is worth taking note of, I just wish he would have briefly noted that since over 135,000 Virginians have a CHP and it isn't illegal (or against our policy) to openly or concealed carry in any ofour branches in the state, you are actually far more likely to encounter a loyal customer carrying than a robber. I've seen a couple open carriers in my branch and at one other branch once. Still, an interesting experience complete with a re-enactment of a take-over robbery with revolvers, semi-automatics, fake but realistic sounding gunsbeing fired, etc.
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