I am visiting Va. We'll be stopping in Petersburg (one night) , Richmond ( one night), and Fredricksburg ten on to Manassas.
Va State Police recommended this website for info on OC. How cool is that.
Will I have any issues in Richmond around the Museum of the Confederacy? What about other places. I'll only OC is I feel I need to...nightime around Richmond, etc.
Anm while in the vehicle, just locked int he glove box or hard case??
Thoughts?
1 - Welcome to OCDO and Welcome to Virginia.
2 - When are you going to be in Virginia? If we know when we might see if we can set up a meet&greet or three.
3 - The VSP should not be recommending this place for info on OC in Virginia. They should instead be telling you a) that since there is no law against OCing you can do it, b) where there are laws agains firearms both generally and specifically, and c) where you can find those laws to read for yourself. Yes, it's nice to know the VSP thinks we are a bunch of kewel folks who have our stuff together, but their job is to refer you to the law(s).
4 - Don't lknow about the Museum of the Confederacy itself (I'm pretty sure someone will chime in soon on that venue) but it is located within VCU's MCV Campus. OC is not a problem on the sidewalks but is not allowed in any of the university's buildings. (On a side note there is supposed to be a smoking ban within 50 feet of any entrance to university buildings. VCU cops may or may not try to enforce it or enforce a total "no smoking anywhere" rule depending on the alignment of the stars. Just so you are aware.)
5 - OC in and around Richmond is tolerated well. You might get some wisecrack comments from the folks, but the cops are generally well versed on the absence of laws against OC. You need a Concealed Handgun Permit to carry (OC or CC, your choice) in the General Assembly Building, and technically anywhere inside the fence at Capitol Square although I've never seen/heard of the Capitol Police checking except inside the building.
6 - Some restaurants/stores are not OC-friendly. It's easier if you ask about a specific place rather than us trying to list every place that is known not to be OC-friendly.
7 - Don't know how to react to "I'll only OC is I feel I need to...nightime around Richmond, etc." Does that mean you will be CCing the rest of the time? Remember, the BGs in Virginia do not make appointments. It's your responsibility to be prepared at all times.
8 - "Anm while in the vehicle, just locked int he glove box or hard case??" [sic] OC in the vehicle not prohibitted. You do not need to take it out of the holster and put it on the seat, or on the dashboard. Keeping it in your holster limits the amount of touching/manipulating, which limits the opportunities for something to go wrong. It is not required to inform a police officer you are carrying (OC or CC) when stopped. Some folks do it anyhow as a gesture of being nice. YMMV. Cops in Virginia may or may not be able to pull up on their in-car computer the fact that you have a CHP from out of state. If asked about it it is not considered good form to pull your handgun out and ask the officer if he wants to see it. :>)
You can keep it in the secured glovebox or center console ("secured" does not mean "locked") without a permit, but personally I would not leave it there if I was away from the vehicle. YMMV.
Again, Welcome to Virginia, and spend lots of money here.
stay safe.