Open Carry in Fairfax County

[SouthernBoy]

I like your thread specific to the area. I’m brand new to this forum and just recently moved to Alexandria from the dreaded Maryland side of the greater DC area. I will be CC mostly, but will OC around my neighborhood stores where I have previously researched. To reply to your post. I have been to Walmart, ABC and 7 Eleven all in one trip. This is the area on route 1 in Alexandria South of the Beltway. I bought alcohol from both ABC and 7 Eleven and just some random things someone gets from Walmart. No problems at all, I may have worried a lady, but she didnt call the cops, thumbs up!. The guys at ABC may have been a little nervous, but no one said anything and I bet after a few more visits they will be alright with it. Walmart was crowded and almost didn’t go in because I didn’t want a mass panic. 7 Eleven was dead. No issues from employee’s.

I almost went into Target today but I had my 16 mo daughter with me so I kept it in the truck. Dont need angry mothers pointing fingers.

Welcome aboard and congratulations on your recent escape from the People's Republic Thereof. I bet you find Virginia a bit different than Maryland, especially with the issue of arms and the carrying of same. Good to hear your outings were event-free and no causes for alarm. How do you think that would have gone in Bethesda?

 

[MSC 45ACP]

I almost went into Target today but I had my 16 mo daughter with me so I kept it in the truck. Dont need angry mothers pointing fingers.

I'm confused.

Your 16-month old daughter is the biggest reason to carry your pistol. If you can accurately predict when and where BGs will strike, only then can you be complacent enough to "leave it in the truck". How do you know you weren't followed by someone that saw you OCing earlier? They would have noticed you getting out of your truck with the baby and NO pistol. Open invitation for a smash & grab... Bingo! One more stolen pistol on the streets in the hands of Bad Guys. I don't know about you, but I can't afford to give my guns away to bad guys and leave my family unprotected.

 

[usnvet86]

Huh? Isn't that all the more reason why you should have carried?

I did think of that and wanted to. If not for the protection of my daughter then to at least show that we (people with guns) are and have family too. Baby steps... maybe next time.

 

[usnvet86]

Welcome aboard and congratulations on your recent escape from the People's Republic Thereof. I bet you find Virginia a bit different than Maryland, especially with the issue of arms and the carrying of same. Good to hear your outings were event-free and no causes for alarm. How do you think that would have gone in Bethesda?

Haha, that depends. How many cops do you think can make it before i'm thrown to the ground? I'm no stranger to "blue states". I’m sure there are better names for states that don’t like the 2A. I grew up in NY State. Even though NY has its share of rednecks, hunters, gun enthusiasts, we still fall under the same laws as NYC for the most part. Not sure how I survived, but luckily I now have the freedom to protect myself and my family... and do some shooting which is always fun.

 

[usnvet86]

I'm confused.

Your 16-month old daughter is the biggest reason to carry your pistol. If you can accurately predict when and where BGs will strike, only then can you be complacent enough to "leave it in the truck". How do you know you weren't followed by someone that saw you OCing earlier? They would have noticed you getting out of your truck with the baby and NO pistol. Open invitation for a smash & grab... Bingo! One more stolen pistol on the streets in the hands of Bad Guys. I don't know about you, but I can't afford to give my guns away to bad guys and leave my family unprotected.

You have a point. Ill keep that in mind next time.




ps. sorry about the separate posts. I should have lumped them all together.

 

[CHILINVLN]

CHILINVLN and I Open Carried at Hooters in Chantilly last night. We were not victimized, and no one was harmed.

First time I have OC'ed in a few months actually.

 

[jwinkeler]

Yea Centreville!! i agree nova is big and reading stuff from the other parts of nova that i never go to isnt really helpful, ive OC'ed at the hooters in chantilly one of the girls at the door starred at my hip for about 3 seconds then sat us, otherwise no issues there

 

[usnvet86]

Successfull trip to Target today. I noticed a large group of employee's re-stocking or something so I walked by them. Pretty sure someone noticed, but nothing was said. I will be adding locations on friendorfoe dot us instead of updating here everytime someone doesnt bother me for excersizing a right. .. I think thats the link anyway. Ill reserve the forum for something bad happening

 

[Uber_Olafsun]

CHILINVLN and I Open Carried at Hooters in Chantilly last night. We were not victimized, and no one was harmed.

Now I am craving wings. The wife likes them too so good to go. As far as carrying with a child I have a 6 month old boy that I have been CC with more the OC just because when I am carrying him his his kicking everywhere as standing on my hips. If I CC I do middle of back holster so it's the one place he doesn't bump into. Now that he is getting too big to carry all the time going back to OC.

 

[usnvet86]

Took a trip to Stohlman (sp?) Subaru in Tysons Corner today. The sales associate knew I was a govt employee but I think he assumed my gun had something to do with my job. Which is fine, but when he asked what I did that requires me to have a gun. I told him about VA being an open carry state and what not and he was very surprised. He seemed fine with it and a little interested, over all a real friendly guy. I guess it never seizes to amaze me the fact that there are many people out there that are kept from basic information. I don’t think it's his fault, he's just never known.

 

[Baked on Grease]

Took a trip to Stohlman (sp?) Subaru in Tysons Corner today. The sales associate knew I was a govt employee but I think he assumed my gun had something to do with my job. Which is fine, but when he asked what I did that requires me to have a gun. I told him about VA being an open carry state and what not and he was very surprised. He seemed fine with it and a little interested, over all a real friendly guy. I guess it never seizes to amaze me the fact that there are many people out there that are kept from basic information. I don’t think it's his fault, he's just never known.

I was actually the other way around. I was raised in a conservative home learning about the consitution. I was not suprised that OC was legal, I was suprised that CC was illegal... without a permit. Blew my mind that they could so blatantly disregard "shall not be infringed", and the more I learn about firearm laws the more pissed I get at gov't... Makes me want to run for office.

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[scouser]

... I almost went into Target today but I had my 16 mo daughter with me so I kept it in the truck. Dont need angry mothers pointing fingers.

If the possibility of pointing fingers bothers you then just conceal it. At least you're in a position to protect your family if you have it with you.

I have a small child myself, 3 weeks from today will be his 2nd birthday and I'll conceal when out and about with him. My choice on doing that is an awareness thing rather than preserving the sensibilities of the 'OMG he's got a gun and a kid' crowd. I have to have my son as the focus of my attention and it's not as easy to be totally situationally aware of my surroundings so, to avoid the remote possibility of an opportunist thinking 'he's distracted by his kid so I'll steal his gun', I just keep it hidden. Those on here who've met my son understand how distracting he can be, if anyone has seen peter nap's video from the VCU rally earlier this month my son is the young boy sat in the stroller.

 

[BillB]

I was not suprised that OC was legal, I was suprised that CC was illegal... without a permit.

When (as in date) did Virginia make CC illegal? I've been trying to find an answer to this question, but no success yet.

 

[Baked on Grease]

When (as in date) did Virginia make CC illegal? I've been trying to find an answer to this question, but no success yet.

CC is illegal if you don't have a permit. Everything I see says "Effective July 2007" but I don't know if this is when the law first went into effect.

Va code §18.2-308

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[BillB]

VA became a shall-issue state in 1995, but I suspect concealed handgun carry without a permit was actually made illegal in Virginia sometime during the 1860s. I've had no success in finding anything definitive on this though.

 

[MSC 45ACP]

If the possibility of pointing fingers bothers you then just conceal it. At least you're in a position to protect your family if you have it with you.

I have a small child myself, 3 weeks from today will be his 2nd birthday and I'll conceal when out and about with him. My choice on doing that is an awareness thing rather than preserving the sensibilities of the 'OMG he's got a gun and a kid' crowd. I have to have my son as the focus of my attention and it's not as easy to be totally situationally aware of my surroundings so, to avoid the remote possibility of an opportunist thinking 'he's distracted by his kid so I'll steal his gun', I just keep it hidden. Those on here who've met my son understand how distracting he can be, if anyone has seen peter nap's video from the VCU rally earlier this month my son is the young boy sat in the stroller.

As a father of 4, I agree completely with your decision not to OC when "escorting" your 2 year-old around. I know they can be a HANDFUL! I was just talking to my 14 year-old yesterday about my daily decision to OC or CC. When I OC, I have to be much more aware of my surroundings because when you carry a pistol out in the open (OC), you have to visualize a target on your back, front and both sides of your head at all times. When you CC, you have a tactical advantage over the Bad Guys (BGs). They don't know who is (and who isn't) carrying.

It is a very personal decision. In the summer months, I OC quite a bit. In the winter, its harder to OC the colder it is. I may have to find one of those Tacti-Cool Drooopy-Leg Super-Dooper Combat Thigh Holsters when I wear warm clothes that go past my waist.

mike

 

[t11spanner]

Oc'd on my motorcycle yesterday!

7-11 Little River Turnpike and Braddock

Patriot Harley Davidson, then to Prince William County. Went down to look at some used parts, stopped a the WaWa on Minnieville road to fuel up and use the ATM.

The ATM service guy was working on the machine and told me he would be about thirty minutes. So, knowing I had extra time on my hands, I went outside to soak up some sun before it went down.

Now keep in mind that I was OC'ing, on a motorcycle with leathers on.

Lots of people went back and fourth. One guy even offered me a cup of coffee with a free coupon he earned while shopping at Wawa today!

After the ATM service guy was finished, I went in and withdrew funds for the parts.

As I was getting back on my ride, a PW police officer pulled in two spaces down. When he exited the vehicle, I nodded and said hi, he smiled and went straight into the store. Not sure if there was a call for MWG, but it appeared to me to be a "non" issue if there was.

Carl

 

[King Uni Verse]

Problems with LEO in past

I am returning from North Carolina where I purchased my Glock 23, I have a child and fiancé in Springfield, but frequent the Burke area, near the Target. Basically, I have been harassed by the West Springfield station due to some hardships in my younger years, (my last charge was in 09). I am almost certain that if I choose to open carry, I will be stopped, they will try to take my pistol, but, I know my rights, and the last time I left my Hi-Point at home, it was stolen. What are some ways to diffuse a situation with LE, or assert my right to carry, without landing in jail? I have read, but they will most certainly try to make this a big deal, I.E. ordering me to the ground, placing me under arrest, ( They have confused me with a felon in the past and told me that was probable cause to search me in the past) I am NOT a felon of course and this harassment dates back to my teenage years, I am 26 now.

 

[Citizen]

I am returning from North Carolina where I purchased my Glock 23, I have a child and fiancé in Springfield, but frequent the Burke area, near the Target. Basically, I have been harassed by the West Springfield station due to some hardships in my younger years, (my last charge was in 09). I am almost certain that if I choose to open carry, I will be stopped, they will try to take my pistol, but, I know my rights, and the last time I left my Hi-Point at home, it was stolen. What are some ways to diffuse a situation with LE, or assert my right to carry, without landing in jail? I have read, but they will most certainly try to make this a big deal, I.E. ordering me to the ground, placing me under arrest, ( They have confused me with a felon in the past and told me that was probable cause to search me in the past) I am NOT a felon of course and this harassment dates back to my teenage years, I am 26 now.

There isn't really any way to defuse a situation. All you can do is try to avoid escalating it.

Basically it comes down to weighing the risk of exercising your rights if contacted by police while OCing. Or, maybe not OCing at all if the risks are too great for you. Only you can decide that.

If contacted by police while OCing, you can just cooperate while politely declining to answer questions. Politeness goes a long way to helping prevent things escalating.

Or, you can exercise your rights fully (politely).

Of course, you can adjust your tactics to fit the exact cop(s) you're facing, too.

The police are going to do whatever they are going to do. About all you can do is protect yourself by not escalating. And, protect yourself by exercising your rights to whatever degree you think is smart. Fourth Amendment right to verbally withhold consent to any searches or seizures. Declining consent to an encounter in the first place. And, not answering any questions without an attorney. Whether or not to decline identifying yourself verbally or by showing ID is a judgement call. The last time I looked, Fairfax County did not have a stop-and-identify ordinancel; but that may have changed. VA does not have a stop-and-identify statute.

 

[skidmark]

I know it's been repeated until some folks are wondering if it still needs to be mentioned - but have a digital oice recorder going when you step out the door. I learned that the hard way. I have also learned, when things look like they are headed downhill, to start a running commentary on what is happening and who is doing what. Sort of like you are an old-time radio news reporter on the scene. (BTW, some of the cops I have had encounters with (none turning out badly) seem to dislike that very much.)

If you are going to use a video recorder, for the love of all that is holy please do not keep shifting to shots of the ground or the sky or some object ten feet to the right or left of the person you are dealing with. And use something like Qik to preserve a copy even if they seize your recorder.

There is not much you can do on the street about cops and their decisions about what to do/how to do it. All that comes after the fact. If there is a need to "do something" be sure you either put it on paper or get it recorded.

Now that we have finished with discussing tactics - are you truely being harassed most times you step out on the streets? Have you filed a formal complaint? What waas the outcome?

stay safe.