imported post
He did agree that the actual wording of the law is not specific abouty this and that various LEO's have taken it upon themselves to make this call. I did not think to ask, while I was there, but he or someone he knows must have been burned this way.
I'm pretty sure the reason he couldn't find it in the law, or quote the law, is because it's bullpuckey.
I don't believe that the cops around here are really that stupid.... No; I take that back. Anyhoo, it is a simple fix to go OWB, and now I do, though still not quite believing that it is necessary.
Yeah, some are that stupid. Not many, but some.
It's NOT against the law. If the weapon can be identified as a gun, it's not concealed.
§
18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.
A. If any person carries about his person,
hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart; or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second violation of this section or a conviction under this section subsequent to any conviction under any substantially similar ordinance of any county, city, or town shall be punishable as a Class 6 felony, and a third or subsequent such violation shall be punishable as a Class 5 felony. For the purpose of this section,
a weapon shall be deemed to be hidden from common observation when it is observable but is of such deceptive appearance as to disguise the weapon's true nature.
The section goes on a bit further, but even in its' definitions does not further define "concealed"