garfield6399
New member
I am new to open carry. and am just getting into it. i wa wondering what the age was?
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stupid question - What is the age one can Open Carry in Virginia?
- Thread starter garfield6399
- Start date
hunter45
Regular Member
18.
t33j
Regular Member
+1
There are no laws in the Virginia Code that deal with open carry. 18 is the minimum age required to possess a handgun in Virginia although as far as I can tell, there is no minimum for ownership. (Why should there be?) I only mention it to bring attention to the difference between possession and ownership.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308.7
Welcome to OCDO.
There are no laws in the Virginia Code that deal with open carry. 18 is the minimum age required to possess a handgun in Virginia although as far as I can tell, there is no minimum for ownership. (Why should there be?) I only mention it to bring attention to the difference between possession and ownership.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308.7
Welcome to OCDO.
Last edited:
2a4all
Regular Member
Welcome to OCDO, garfield6399.
Why did you think this was a stupid question?
Why did you think this was a stupid question?
TFred
Regular Member
Dutch Uncle
Campaign Veteran
I used to be stupid, but after asking a lot of stupid questions, I finally got smart and have stayed that way ever since.
And yes, you can OC at the tender age of 18. Welcome to OCDO!
And yes, you can OC at the tender age of 18. Welcome to OCDO!
garfield6399
New member
Welcome to OCDO, garfield6399.
Why did you think this was a stupid question?
ive done research that says it is 18. but ive asked cops who say its 21. and it was mostly to catch peoples eye and look
garfield6399
New member
documentation
i was talking to a guy that works at a gun shop i frequent. he told me that since im under 21 i should have documentation that says it is legal at 18 to OC. what type of documentation should suffice?
i was talking to a guy that works at a gun shop i frequent. he told me that since im under 21 i should have documentation that says it is legal at 18 to OC. what type of documentation should suffice?
TFred
Regular Member
There are no laws in the Virginia Code that deal with open carry. 18 is the minimum age required to possess a handgun in Virginia although as far as I can tell, there is no minimum for ownership. (Why should there be?) I only mention it to bring attention to the difference between possession and ownership.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308.7
Welcome to OCDO.
See the law that t33j quoted in this earlier post.
Virginia does not make laws saying what you can do, just what you cannot do. (Generally speaking.)
IANAL, but I would suppose if you run into a LEO who wants to give you a ticket or arrest you, all you can do is ask them to please identify the law you are breaking first...
I don't know if that would do you any good though...
TFred
t33j
Regular Member
Gun store employees tend to be notoriously bad at getting the law right. Asking them questions related to anything other than the purchase (transfer, etc...) of firearms is probably almost as bad as asking a cop for legal advice.
By the way there are many members here who started carrying between ages 18 and 21 including myself. As I said, there are no laws in the Virginia Code that deal with open carry so you'll be hard pressed to find a law that says you can OC. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a law that says you're allowed to do anything. Laws prohibit things, not allow them (for the most part).
By the way there are many members here who started carrying between ages 18 and 21 including myself. As I said, there are no laws in the Virginia Code that deal with open carry so you'll be hard pressed to find a law that says you can OC. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a law that says you're allowed to do anything. Laws prohibit things, not allow them (for the most part).
Thundar
Regular Member
Got the documentation right here:
Amendment II US Constitution
Article I Amendment 13 Virginia Constitution
The answer to the original question is 18 years for handguns, no lower limit for long guns.
garfield6399
New member
any suggestions
i have a beretta 96. 40 caliber. does anybody have any recomendations for a paddle holster. im looking at blackhawks serpa
i have a beretta 96. 40 caliber. does anybody have any recomendations for a paddle holster. im looking at blackhawks serpa
longwatch
Founder's Club Member - Moderator
That will serve you well. Take a look at bladetech too.
http://www.blade-tech.com/Level-II-Duty-Holster-w-Paddle-pr-870.html
longwatch
Founder's Club Member - Moderator
Some of us aren't that bad, but I've heard some doozies too.
t33j
Regular Member
Oh I know. I've only had it happen twice (both times state law) but like you said you do hear things.
VApatriot
Regular Member
I'll add a +1 for the Blackhawk Serpa. I've carried both a 1911 and Springfield XD in Serpa holtsers for years now, and I love them.
Also, I started open carrying when I was 18 (now just 22), and I have never been stopped or questioned by a law enforcement officer about my gun. In fact, the only time I seemed to be questioned at all about being able to carry was when I was at gun shops. It seems that gun shop employees think that just because they can't sell you a handgun that you can't have or carry one at all. Of course, this is not the case in Virginia.
longwatch
Founder's Club Member - Moderator
I'm proud to say our shop has employed guys under 21 who carried on and off the job. Of course there are lots of folks (on both sides of the counter) who still don't know about or understand open carry and the fact it is our right to bear arms (no permission slip required).
VApatriot
Regular Member
I will gladly put a plug in for Guns and Ammo Warehouse, as it is not one of the three different shops that I was challenged in. Mind you, I was never asked to level or disarm in any of these other shops, and the employees always seemed to accepted that I knew what I was talking about when I explained how I legally acquired and carried a handgun.
And2TheRepublic
Regular Member
I'd like to add on to this thread, if i may.
1. Where is the law/code/rules, if any, in dealing with LEO's. For example, i see many say that we're required to show an LEO our permit if we are pulled over. I havent been able to find such verbage in a law.
2. I'm fairly new to Virginia, and ive read on this forum, that in dealing with LEO's in a non traffic stop scenario, im not required to show ID, unless im being detained, and that i should ask the LEO if i am. In Texas, where im from, our encounters with an LEO dont happen that way. Im just looking for confirmation with an LEO when i am OC, CC, or have no weapon.
3. I have seen sites saying that having a CHP you are exempt from the 30 day purchase rule. Is this true? Also, if anyone has a link to such code/law that shows what CHP holders are exempt from.
Thanks in advance
1. Where is the law/code/rules, if any, in dealing with LEO's. For example, i see many say that we're required to show an LEO our permit if we are pulled over. I havent been able to find such verbage in a law.
2. I'm fairly new to Virginia, and ive read on this forum, that in dealing with LEO's in a non traffic stop scenario, im not required to show ID, unless im being detained, and that i should ask the LEO if i am. In Texas, where im from, our encounters with an LEO dont happen that way. Im just looking for confirmation with an LEO when i am OC, CC, or have no weapon.
3. I have seen sites saying that having a CHP you are exempt from the 30 day purchase rule. Is this true? Also, if anyone has a link to such code/law that shows what CHP holders are exempt from.
Thanks in advance