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Open carry in Metro Richmond

ProShooter

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Didn't see an OC thread specifically for Richmond, so I thought that I'd start one.

Today I OC'd at the Ukrops (Patterson Ave) including the First Market Bank inside the Ukrops. No problems, and I even ended up giving out one of my business cards.

Jim
 

SicSemperTyrannis

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Thanks for starting a Richmond specific thread = there is a central Virginia thread out there and another one that (only sorta) applies to those of us in the Richmond/Chesterfield/Henrico area, but this is great.

I have open carried hundreds of times in Richmond/Henrico/Chesterfield, including Downtown Richmond and quite often in Carytown. I have even (once) seen another open carrier in Carytown.

I did have a (sort of) LEO experience this morning in Henrico. It was about 8 am and I was on my way to Powhatan to do yard work at my parents house. I stopped at the Starbucks next to Best Buy near Virginia Centers Commons mall. About 80% of the time I am open carrying I happen to have a dress shirt and tie on, and the other times I may be wearing jeans but I at least look (relatively) presentable. Today, because I was going to be working in the mud and rain, I didn't bother combing my hair and I was wearing over-sized, army surplus pants and an old t-shirt and old steel-toed boots. Only when I left the Starbucks did I notice a state trooper in an unmarked car sitting directly outside - he didn't evensee meor look at me (that I noticed). His car was running, and I never saw him leave his car (I watched as I drove away). He was possibly writing something or typing on a lap top computer. I have no idea if someone called him because of me - or perhaps he was just there for coffee (there is a sub-station a mile away). One guy in line did seem to give me a "look" a bit different than what I am used to (I open carry enough to have experienced the full range of responses hundreds of times), but I didn't think much of it because it wasn't much.That guy left the store 3to 5minutes before I did, somaybe he called the police when he left the store? Or maybe this was all a coincidence? An officer responding to a man with a gun call probably wouldn't have shown up alone and parked out front and not even made eye contact with me, would he? (help me out here, Virginia LEO's on the board). After some thought, I began to think he was just there for coffee and never even noticed me - except that he never turned off his car or got out of it (that I saw - he may have as soon as I was too far away to see him - but I watched from Rt 1.....
 

ProShooter

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SicSemperTyrannis wrote:
Thanks for starting a Richmond specific thread = there is a central Virginia thread out there and another one that (only sorta) applies to those of us in the Richmond/Chesterfield/Henrico area, but this is great.

I have open carried hundreds of times in Richmond/Henrico/Chesterfield, including Downtown Richmond and quite often in Carytown. I have even (once) seen another open carrier in Carytown.

I did have a (sort of) LEO experience this morning in Henrico. It was about 8 am and I was on my way to Powhatan to do yard work at my parents house. I stopped at the Starbucks next to Best Buy near Virginia Centers Commons mall. About 80% of the time I am open carrying I happen to have a dress shirt and tie on, and the other times I may be wearing jeans but I at least look (relatively) presentable. Today, because I was going to be working in the mud and rain, I didn't bother combing my hair and I was wearing over-sized, army surplus pants and an old t-shirt and old steel-toed boots. Only when I left the Starbucks did I notice a state trooper in an unmarked car sitting directly outside - he didn't evensee meor look at me (that I noticed). His car was running, and I never saw him leave his car (I watched as I drove away). He was possibly writing something or typing on a lap top computer. I have no idea if someone called him because of me - or perhaps he was just there for coffee (there is a sub-station a mile away). One guy in line did seem to give me a "look" a bit different than what I am used to (I open carry enough to have experienced the full range of responses hundreds of times), but I didn't think much of it because it wasn't much.That guy left the store 3to 5minutes before I did, somaybe he called the police when he left the store? Or maybe this was all a coincidence? An officer responding to a man with a gun call probably wouldn't have shown up alone and parked out front and not even made eye contact with me, would he? (help me out here, Virginia LEO's on the board). After some thought, I began to think he was just there for coffee and never even noticed me - except that he never turned off his car or got out of it (that I saw - he may have as soon as I was too far away to see him - but I watched from Rt 1.....

I'm sure that if someone had called the police on you, he either would haveconfronted you or followed you. My guess is that he was simply typing on his MDT.

In all the years that I had on the job here, I can think of 2 instances of seeing someone OC in Richmond. One guy I saw at least 3 times filling up gas at the Wawa on Iron Bridge/Cogbill and one guy I saw years ago eating at Einsteins bagels on West Boad. Seems to be a rarity around here.

Jim
 

Grapeshot

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hlh wrote:
Maybe the two threads should be merged.

BTW - I had my bestest OC experience of the year today. Having completed Philip's class for a non-resident Utah permit, I set off to get Chesterfield PD to do my fingerprints and yes, brothers and sisters, I was OCing my new 9teen11 & spare mags in the Administrative Buiding of the Chesterfield Courthouse. Absolutely nobody knee jerked or even scowled, not even the nice lady that inked and rolled my digits. Did they notice? Sure hope so as it's too pretty to be ignored.

Have to admit that it was kind of neat getting printed while carrying.
Yata hey
 

peter nap

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They seem to go in spurts in Richmond. The most amusing one was a fellow about 20 years ago, that wore a western two gun rig and you could see him most any day walking on broad street.

Proshooter, you puzzle me. It sounds like you were a deputy in Richmond City..I probably know you. Were you internal affairs and with the PD first?
 

ed

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hlh wrote: Aren't courthouses off limits? :shock:

Yeah.. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess in or transport into any courthouse in this Commonwealth any (i) gun or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind, (ii) frame, receiver, muffler, silencer, missile, projectile or ammunition designed for use with a dangerous weapon and (iii) any other dangerous weapon, including explosives, stun weapons as defined in § 18.2-308.1, and those weapons specified in subsection A of § 18.2-308. Any such weapon shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. [This includes ammo].

But he said the ADMIN BUILDING of the Courthouse, not THE courthouse.
 

vbnative73

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Speakingof Richmond.....

http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_050608_uor_lockdown.d5023b25.html

University of Richmond on lockdown


[size=-1]
05:22 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 6, 2008
[/size]


[size=-1]Associated Press[/size]



RICHMOND (AP) -- University of Richmond officials say the campus has been placed on lockdown while police search for a man who may be armed.

University spokeswoman Linda Evans said no shots have been fired.

Evans said witnesses reported seeing a man with a handgun:what: in Boatwright Memorial Library at about 2:50 p.m.. She said the man was wearing a dark-colored shirt or jacket with the word "Sheriff" on the back, and maybe a fake beard. Evans said the man refused to identify himself to library workers.

Workers in a cafe within the library reported seeing the man changing clothes. Police were conducting a room-to-room search of the library. A Richmond police officer escorted a bloodhound into the building.

A text message alert was sent to students reading: "Dangerous person reported on campus. Use caution and warn others," and listing a phone number to report unusual activity.

Exams ended last week and the summer session has not started, so not many students were on campus.

Nearby St. Catherine's School in Richmond also locked down its campus. In a phone message sent out to families, the private girls school said it had chosen to lock down "because of reported problems on the University of Richmond campus."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
 

Grapeshot

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hlh wrote:
ed wrote:
hlh wrote: Aren't courthouses off limits? :shock:

Yeah.. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess in or transport into any courthouse in this Commonwealth any (i) gun or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind, (ii) frame, receiver, muffler, silencer, missile, projectile or ammunition designed for use with a dangerous weapon and (iii) any other dangerous weapon, including explosives, stun weapons as defined in § 18.2-308.1, and those weapons specified in subsection A of § 18.2-308. Any such weapon shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. [This includes ammo].

But he said the ADMIN BUILDING of the Courthouse, not THE courthouse.


What if the buildings are connected, or the same?
Any area open to the general public is legal with CHP or OC. I confirmed this with the public relations office (CPD) before going there and again at the information desk to make sure that I was not entering a secure area. Once there everyone was extremely helpful, business like and pleasant.

No they do not keep any copies of the prints - $10.00 for one card, $15.00 for two and the guarantee them! If there are any problems with reading them or accepting them, CPD will redo them at no charge if you have your receipt.

Actually even THE courts building if it houses any offices open to the general public should not restrict you from carrying into that building - only into the actual area of the court rooms. Chesterfield appears to be in violation of this as there are numerous "open to the public" offices in THE courts building. I do not have the site/reference for this so have put out a call for help to Skidmark.

Yata hey
 

ProShooter

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Grapeshot wrote:
hlh wrote:
Maybe the two threads should be merged.

BTW - I had my bestest OC experience of the year today. Having completed Philip's class for a non-resident Utah permit, I set off to get Chesterfield PD to do my fingerprints and yes, brothers and sisters, I was OCing my new 9teen11 & spare mags in the Administrative Buiding of the Chesterfield Courthouse. Absolutely nobody knee jerked or even scowled, not even the nice lady that inked and rolled my digits. Did they notice? Sure hope so as it's too pretty to be ignored.

Have to admit that it was kind of neat getting printed while carrying.
Yata hey




The Admin Building and the Courthouse are 2 different buildings. There was a time where the court was in that same building, but not any more.
 

ProShooter

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peter nap wrote:
They seem to go in spurts in Richmond. The most amusing one was a fellow about 20 years ago, that wore a western two gun rig and you could see him most any day walking on broad street.

Proshooter, you puzzle me. It sounds like you were a deputy in Richmond City..I probably know you. Were you internal affairs and with the PD first?

I puzzle you? Really? I dont mean to....I'm far from a puzzle! :)

Never worked in Richmond City, I'm not that brave (or dumb)
 

peter nap

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ProShooter wrote:
peter nap wrote:
They seem to go in spurts in Richmond. The most amusing one was a fellow about 20 years ago, that wore a western two gun rig and you could see him most any day walking on broad street.

Proshooter, you puzzle me. It sounds like you were a deputy in Richmond City..I probably know you. Were you internal affairs and with the PD first?

I puzzle you? Really? I dont mean to....I'm far from a puzzle! :)

Never worked in Richmond City, I'm not that brave (or dumb)
In that case, you don't puzzle as much.:p I only know two or three Richmond Deputies that can string more than 3 words together. Henrico has a better mix. Hanover....I won't discuss.:)
 

ProShooter

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CSM%20-%20You%20Don't%20Know%20Me%20T-Shirt%20-%20Large%20-%2001-21-2008.jpg
 

mpg9999

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Grapeshot wrote:
Any area open to the general public is legal with CHP or OC. I confirmed this with the public relations office (CPD) before going there and again at the information desk to make sure that I was not entering a secure area. Once there everyone was extremely helpful, business like and pleasant.

No they do not keep any copies of the prints - $10.00 for one card, $15.00 for two and the guarantee them! If there are any problems with reading them or accepting them, CPD will redo them at no charge if you have your receipt.

Actually even THE courts building if it houses any offices open to the general public should not restrict you from carrying into that building - only into the actual area of the court rooms. Chesterfield appears to be in violation of this as there are numerous "open to the public" offices in THE courts building. I do not have the site/reference for this so have put out a call for help to Skidmark.

Yata hey

It would be nice to see that verified. When I picked up my CHP I asked about that and was told by a sherrif that I could not carry into the building that contains the courthouse. It's the same building that contains all of the town government offices.
 

vbnative73

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mpg9999 wrote:
It would be nice to see that verified. When I picked up my CHP I asked about that and was told by a sherrif that I could not carry into the building that contains the courthouse. It's the same building that contains all of the town government offices.

MAYBE:question: he was referring to the general "courthouse" area. I'm not too familiar with that locality, but I know that VB locals don't refer to the Municipal Center as such. The entire place is generally refferred to as "The Courthouse." I may be going to the Treasurer's Office but as I'm heading out the door, I'd probably tell my wife, "I'm headed over to the courthouse."

Of course, I can carry in almost every building there, but not the actual courthouse.

Just my .02
 

ProShooter

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I can say, with absolute certainty, the the Chesterfield Admin building where Police HQ is and any of the 3 courthouses aredifferent buildings that are a mile apart (The old 1917 Courthouse is in the same complex but is in no way connected to the Admin Bldg.)
 

vt357

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ProShooter wrote:
I can say, with absolute certainty, the the Chesterfield Admin building where Police HQ is and any of the 3 courthouses aredifferent buildings that are a mile apart (The old 1917 Courthouse is in the same complex but is in no way connected to the Admin Bldg.)
Do you know if that old courthouse is still considered a "courthouse" and off-limits for carry under state law? Has it been retired from official duty as it were since the new courthouse was built?
 

ProShooter

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The old 1917 Courthouse is still an official working courthouse. There is a Chesterfield Circuit Judge who holds court there on a fairly regular basis because he just likes the history behind the place. Its on the list of historic places but it is still a working courthouse.

I stood in a few cases myself there, creaky wooden floors and all.
 

vt357

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ProShooter wrote:
The old 1917 Courthouse is still an official working courthouse. There is a Chesterfield Circuit Judge who holds court there on a fairly regular basis because he just likes the history behind the place. Its on the list of historic places but it is still a working courthouse.

I stood in a few cases myself there, creaky wooden floors and all.
Thanks for the headsup. I took a school field trip there probably 10 years ago to tour the courthouse. I had always assumed it was no longer a working courthouse. Good to know.
 

SicSemperTyrannis

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I open carry everyday in the Richmond area, especially in Henrico, but Irarely post locations here. Today: the Ukrops in Glen Allen (Virginia Center Commons area) , the hair cutting place next to Ukrops (can't recall the name), Wawa, and thenWal-Mart for an hour off Brook Rd, etc etc etc.
 

Gunny5821

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Hello All,

A New member here :celebrate... I have been carrying a handgun for the past 33 years, all of which were in the line of duty or via CCW. However, I let my CCW lapse and now I'm in the CCW holding pattern. Than I stumbled across this site yesterday and was totally surprised as I was unaware VA had the Open Carry Policy. So now, while I am in the CCW holding pattern, I will OC.

Today was my 1st time OC'ing and had a little tiny itty bitty issue. I was shopping at the Krogers on W Broad at Bowie. I went in the store like so many times before in CCW and went to the DVD kiosk to return a DVD. A Sgt with RPD approached me :what:and said, "Whats with the gun?" I replied, "Open Carry and I checked on Kroger and they are OK with it". He replied, "Well we don't want any fuss, so how about next time, leaving it in the car?" I replied, "Well wouldn't that defeat the whole OC policy?" He said, "We don't want any trouble, so how about next time leave it in the car." I replied, "I will take it under advisement",:banghead: concluded my business at the DVD kiosk and than went and picked up some things from the store. No one even blinked hard and everything went as business as usual.

So, my question to the forum, should I leave it in the car or continue to OC at the Kroger?

Thanks for any input and I am looking forward to a great sharing experience here at Open Carry!



Gunny:cool:



**Note #1: I did feel some what ackward at first since I am so use to CCW, but it faded quickly after the RPD discussion....

**Note #2: My weapon of choice is the SA XD-40, in the Sub-Compact foot print. I carry 2 standard mags in an XD dual mag carrier. I carry an extended (12 round)XD Mag in the weapon. The weapon is carried in the XD adjustable paddel holster.

**Note #3: Ammo of choice - 1st=165 Grain Pow'R Ball, 2nd=155 Grain Winchester Silvertip Hollow Points
 
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