JimmyN
Regular Member
imported post
I have a question regarding the legality of carrying handguns in and out of the shooting range while "concealed" in a range bag or gun case. Like many I use a range bag and I carry at least 2 handguns, plus ammo, when going shooting.
When traveling the bag is locked in the trunk of the car. I will preload mags at home to save time at the range, so the mags are loaded plus I have boxed ammo for revolver use in the same bag.
So I arrive at the range and take the bag out of the trunk. It appears to me that walking across the parking lot with that bag I am illegally carrying a concealed weapon. Yet what other choices are there? Other than open carrying with a holster on each hip, and holding any extras in my hand, or gathering them all up in my arms I don't see any legal method of getting them across the parking lot.
Am I confused on the law, or do special conditions apply for this type of "concealed" carry? The way I read the law it is either in the open or concealed, and in a range bag they would be considered concealed.
To tell you the truth this was never a problem before as I had a CHP and concealed carry wasn't an issue. But I missed my renewal ('oldtimers' syndrome) and my CHP expired, so I have had to re-apply for another. Being without a CHP has caused me to consider the legality of carrying them in the range bag, and I certainly don't want to be convicted of something that will prevent me from obtaining another CHP.
Anybody have any thoughts or references I can check on this subject. It seems everyone does it, but that doesn't mean it's legal. And the best I can tell in VA it is OK to have the handguns and loaded mags in the same bag as long as they are locked in the trunk.
I have a question regarding the legality of carrying handguns in and out of the shooting range while "concealed" in a range bag or gun case. Like many I use a range bag and I carry at least 2 handguns, plus ammo, when going shooting.
When traveling the bag is locked in the trunk of the car. I will preload mags at home to save time at the range, so the mags are loaded plus I have boxed ammo for revolver use in the same bag.
So I arrive at the range and take the bag out of the trunk. It appears to me that walking across the parking lot with that bag I am illegally carrying a concealed weapon. Yet what other choices are there? Other than open carrying with a holster on each hip, and holding any extras in my hand, or gathering them all up in my arms I don't see any legal method of getting them across the parking lot.
Am I confused on the law, or do special conditions apply for this type of "concealed" carry? The way I read the law it is either in the open or concealed, and in a range bag they would be considered concealed.
To tell you the truth this was never a problem before as I had a CHP and concealed carry wasn't an issue. But I missed my renewal ('oldtimers' syndrome) and my CHP expired, so I have had to re-apply for another. Being without a CHP has caused me to consider the legality of carrying them in the range bag, and I certainly don't want to be convicted of something that will prevent me from obtaining another CHP.
Anybody have any thoughts or references I can check on this subject. It seems everyone does it, but that doesn't mean it's legal. And the best I can tell in VA it is OK to have the handguns and loaded mags in the same bag as long as they are locked in the trunk.