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VA - PWC Newbie OC'er

amob

New member
Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
3
Location
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Hey everyone:

I've enjoyed reading all the great information on this forum. I've been doing LOTS of reading about OC'ing in Virginia. I'm about at the level where I feel confident to try OC for the first time. I have only one question (please don't make fun of me for not knowing this!): Can I have my handgun loaded while OC'ing? I've seen some conflicting information on the internet (not here), but have been unable to find a satisfactory answer. I know, I know, some of you will answer, "what good is an unloaded gun?", and I agree, but I just want to make sure before I OC for the first time. Thanks!
 

t33j

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
1,384
Location
King George, VA
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Yes.

It'd be better to ask this question in the Virginia forum, as that's where you've stated you live. This varies on a state by state basis along with nuances such as how much ammo your mags may hold.
 

SouthernBoy

Regular Member
Joined
May 12, 2007
Messages
5,837
Location
Western Prince William County, Virginia, USA
imported post

amob wrote:
Hey everyone:

I've enjoyed reading all the great information on this forum. I've been doing LOTS of reading about OC'ing in Virginia. I'm about at the level where I feel confident to try OC for the first time. I have only one question (please don't make fun of me for not knowing this!): Can I have my handgun loaded while OC'ing? I've seen some conflicting information on the internet (not here), but have been unable to find a satisfactory answer. I know, I know, some of you will answer, "what good is an unloaded gun?", and I agree, but I just want to make sure before I OC for the first time. Thanks!
From your thread topic, it appears you live somewhere in Prince William County. You can see that is also where I live - in the western portion.

You may open carry your handgun, unloaded or loaded, chambered or unchambered at your discretion. You will quickly find that Virginia is VERY gun-friendly and the chance of a negative encounter is quite low.

In which part of the county do you reside?
 

amob

New member
Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
3
Location
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I live in the area of Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Rd. Thanks for the reply, by the way.
 

SouthernBoy

Regular Member
Joined
May 12, 2007
Messages
5,837
Location
Western Prince William County, Virginia, USA
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amob wrote:
I live in the area of Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Rd. Thanks for the reply, by the way.
Ok, that puts you around Independent Hill... give or take. Let me propose a suggestion to you to help ease your entry into the open carry (OC) world.

Attend one of the lunches or dinners in the area. I was at the one this past Monday at Foster's Grille in Old Town Manassas. There were around a dozen of us who attended. Something like this is an excellent opportunity for you to carry your gun (you must OC into a restaurant which serves alcohol for consumption on the premises). You will meet some fine people and enjoy yourself.

And these get togethers take place all the time around the area. Hop on over to the Virginia forum and you'll see what's coming up.
 
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