Lynchburg Area - OC reports

[jmelvin]

Good stuff! Sometimes you just never know when or what that seed you plant my sprout.

 

[jmelvin]

In the past few weeks the wifester and I have tried out some new eating places and visited a few that aren't new, but aren't regular spots. I had my holstered sidearm carried in the open like normal and it didn't appear to cause the least bit of stir. I even visited Target for the first time in a very long time to attempt to find something I could not find elsewhere (and didn't find there either) and nobody even looked at me funny.

The new spots include:
- Trio Brick Oven Restaurant in Forest on Rt 221
- Lola's Mexican Restaurant on Old Forest Rd at Link Rd
- Bubblecakes Bakery (cupcake place) in Roanoke near Tanglewood Mall
- Peace of Pie Pizzeria in Altavista on Broad St

The occasional spots:
- The Old 97 Restaurant in Madison Heights
- Andy Chang's China Grill off of Rt 221
- Shaker's Restaurant at Candler's Mtn Rd
- Mi Patron at Waterlick and Timberlake
- Taqueria La Tradicional Mexican Grill on Rt 221
- LaCaretta on Timberlake

These are just the new or occasional spots that don't include the list of regular spots. No trouble at all.

 

[Old Virginia Joe]

do you still think this is so?

Members of biker gangs, such as Pagans, The Outlaws, etc., may attend this thing from what I was told. Various groups end up with gang members in them and cause no trouble, so I really wouldn't expect any now. In my limited experience, the gangs don't cause too much trouble with each other in public venues anyway. It probably won't be any problem.

Have you heard about a little gang dustup in Texas recently, in a "public venue?"

 

[nuc65]

Well as the wise man said: "If you wouldn't go someplace without your gun, then don't go there with your gun."

 

[jmelvin]

While the wife and I were out this weekend I noticed two other open-carriers, so I figured I'd make a post about what's going on in Lynchburg. The first of the two was an older gentlemen we saw at Walmart on Wards Rd with what appeared to be a 1911 in a black leather holster. I noticed the second guy, a young man at LaCaretta on Timberlake Rd with a sub-compact Taurus pistol in a kydex holster. I don't know that either one saw me. I've seen a few others around town here and there, but due to my time in the office I find myself out and about less and less. In each case, no one seemed to care much.

Since my last post we've hit up the usual spots, but have also visited a few lesser visited places, including adding a new spot to the list. No issues at any of them. The new or occasional spots are:

- Frank's Pizza, Rustburg
- Napoli's Italian Restaurant, Rustburg
- Hot and Cold Cafe, Lynchburg
- West Side Deli, Lynchburg
- New London House, Forest
- King's Island Chinese Restaurant, Lynchburg
- Original Italian Pizza, Bedford
- O'Kelly's Deli, Lynchburg
- The T-Room, Greenview Dr. Lynchburg
- New China Restaurant, Lynchburg
- Joe's Italian Restaurant, Moneta

 

[The Truth]

OC'd in Harrisonburg today. I wasn't there 10 minutes and saw another OCer on a bicycle right in front of JMU campus.

 

[flyerrc]

Moe's on Wards Rd

Just found this forum , lots of good reading.
On the way to SML stopped in Moe's SW Grill on Wards Rd OC'd there the manager asked me what I had on my side, told him a RugerP89 . He said nice piece, and proceeded to tell me that the week how before a customer had OC'd and that a another customer complained about having someone with a gun in the store. He told them there was no policy prohibiting OC in Moe's. We talked a while and he was very courteous to me. I have put Moe's on my OC list

 

[Grapeshot]

Just found this forum , lots of good reading.
On the way to SML stopped in Moe's SW Grill on Wards Rd OC'd there the manager asked me what I had on my side, told him a RugerP89 . He said nice piece, and proceeded to tell me that the week how before a customer had OC'd and that a another customer complained about having someone with a gun in the store. He told them there was no policy prohibiting OC in Moe's. We talked a while and he was very courteous to me. I have put Moe's on my OC list

Welcome aboard OCDO - lots of good people here.

Have you signed up for VCDL's free Va-Alert ?

Do consider joining VCDL - the nation's premier grass roots gun rights org.
http://www.vcdl.org/join

Keep Lobby Day (1/18/2016 ) open on your calendar. It is an event not to be missed. We meet up at the General Assembly and educate our elected representatives.

 

[Firearms Iinstuctor]

Just found this forum , lots of good reading.
On the way to SML stopped in Moe's SW Grill on Wards Rd OC'd there the manager asked me what I had on my side, told him a RugerP89 . He said nice piece, and proceeded to tell me that the week how before a customer had OC'd and that a another customer complained about having someone with a gun in the store. He told them there was no policy prohibiting OC in Moe's. We talked a while and he was very courteous to me. I have put Moe's on my OC list

Welcome I carried a P89 for years they are one tough firearm.

 

[jmelvin]

Glad you were able to enjoy my neck of the woods! OC away!

 

[Va_Nemo]

Well I guess my finding skills need some work. Been around here a bit and hunted a link in my area but did not see this one.

It appears to not be visited much as the last post was Dec of last year. That requires remedial action.

Maybe an investigation should commence about tacking the city threads to near the top of the general room or list or whatever you call it.

Nemo

 

[wrearick]

Good suggestion and thanks to Grapeshot for making all of the Location - Open Carry threads sticky.

 

[Va_Nemo]

Kudos to him. He shall be added to the list of persons named when I raise my annual toast to those who deserve it.

Nemo

 

[Grapeshot]

Kudos to him. He shall be added to the list of persons named when I raise my annual toast to those who deserve it.

Nemo

Make it Drambuie, if you please. It is an old favorite of mine - now reserved mostly for Christmas.

Drambuie received the highest possible score, a "96-100" ........ spirit ratings competition.

 

[flyerrc]

OC in Moe's on Wards Rd

On my way to my place at Smith Mountian Lake we like to stop in Lynchburg to eat dinner at the restaurants there on Rt.29. I have OC'd at many and only had 1 incident that may or may not have been because of my OC. We like Moe's and its a OC friendly place never had a problem there. At the Taco Bell on the corner of Wards and Candler Mnt. while we were eating there on a trip I had this happen. When I got up to refill my drink, the renta-cop noticed my weapon and got wide eyed. He disappeared for a few moments, then returned and sat in the booth right next to ours. I could tell he was trying to eavesdrop on my wife's and my conversation. I noticed then that 2 Lynchburg police cars pulled up and parked the parking lot. We finished our meal, I said hi to the renta-cop as we passed by him sitting there. He followed us out to the parking lot and I saw out of the corner of my eye him tilting his head towards my direction. One of the Lynchburg police cars followed us back out on to Candler and as we turned on to 460/29 south they went on their way. I just have to wonder if the renta-cop just had a freak out moment. I'm sure the police ran a vehicle call and found I had CCW permit and it was all they needed to know I was law abiding citizen exercising my 2nd amendment right to OC in Va. I will OC at that Taco Bell again and hope that the same renta-cop is still there.

 

[HPmatt]

He disappeared for a few moments, then returned and sat in the booth right next to ours. I could tell he was trying to eavesdrop on my wife's and my conversation. I noticed then that 2 Lynchburg police cars pulled up and parked the parking lot......I will OC at that Taco Bell again and hope that the same renta-cop is still there.

I assume the 'guard' was unarmed? If so did he appear t/b an ex-Marine physique that would make average T/B patrons feel at ease with his watchful presence?

Assuming my memory is correct, the respectful functioning of the LPD is due to ancient - but not forgotten - efforts of OCers 'illuminating' the LPD on proper abidance of VA OC laws at a Pizza joint in Lynchburg several years back.

 

[flyerrc]

I assume the 'guard' was unarmed? If so did he appear t/b an ex-Marine physique that would make average T/B patrons feel at ease with his watchful presence?

Assuming my memory is correct, the respectful functioning of the LPD is due to ancient - but not forgotten - efforts of OCers 'illuminating' the LPD on proper abidance of VA OC laws at a Pizza joint in Lynchburg several years back.

T/B guard was not armed, may have had a set of handcuffs on his belt and a whistle, I don't know of the Pizza experience you speak of, nor does his fainted try at intimidation bother me in the least. I'll continue to OC and be proud of it. I've had a few ask why I have a firearm on and just politely say," because I can, and its my right to have, and bear arms." It's a freedom I proudly wore a uniform for and support others who choose to do so. Most of the time I get a good response, once in a while I'll get something like "Well I don't like seeing guns on people." I just reply," you don't have to worry about the guns that you can see, 99.9% are law abiding. Its the ones that you cant see and only see when the crime is being committed you should worry about."

 

[jmelvin]

Interesting circumstance in that Taco Bell. Granted that is not one that I am ever in, but with the number of Liberty University students that I see out and about OCing, it's hard to believe that this guy has not seen other OCers, especially given the close proximity to LU. I imagine the LPD guys just came, saw, and went just to make the guy happy. I run across LPD, sheriffs, and VASP on occasion when OCing and they don't even glance twice.

 

[Va_Nemo]

Make it Drambuie, if you please. It is an old favorite of mine - now reserved mostly for Christmas.

Drambuie received the highest possible score, a "96-100" ........ spirit ratings competition.

Its a properly stored (cool/dark) half bottle of Very Very Old Fitzgerald. It was 16 years old when I obtained it in 1990 and not opened until 2000. (side note-- it is most excellent)

Doc recommends minimal alcohol consumption (affects efficacy of daily meds) so I limit that to one very good whiskey shot a year to usher in the new one. At that time I note and toast all who deserve it at the same time.

Nemo

 

[Va_Nemo]

Roanoke Limits on OC Rifles, Political Issue

So are we or anyone here getting involved in getting this to go away?

Its really no carry of any rifle with a magazine over 20 rounds. But the idea of limitations is bad. Changing one number makes it over 10 rounds then 5 or . . ..

Nemo


http://www.roanoke.com/news/local/r...cle_3967d977-49a9-5428-bb7e-8a69f88d6799.html

Roanoke council may seek ban of open carry of loaded high-capacity rifles, shotguns
Posted: Tuesday, September 6, 2016 7:00 pm | Updated: 7:08 pm, Tue Sep 6, 2016.
By Matt Chittum matt.chittum@roanoke.com 981-3331

The Roanoke City Council may ask the General Assembly to add Roanoke to a list of Virginia localities where certain loaded guns are banned in public places.

The council is considering making the request as part of the legislative agenda it sends to Richmond with its lobbyist this winter.

The idea was sparked by a local gun control group called the Blue Ridge Coalition Against Gun Violence, apparently in response to “open carry” demonstrations near the Berglund Center in recent months. The proposal has the support of Roanoke Police Chief Tim Jones.

The idea, however, triggered a rift in city council and launched an hour of debate during a Monday meeting, with some council members arguing vehemently to take a stand on the issue, while Councilman Ray Ferris railed against it as “feel good legislation” that would only serve to mire the city in a divisive national debate.

The proposal would add Roanoke to a Virginia law that bans open carry in public places of loaded semi-automatic guns with magazines for 20 rounds or more and shotguns that hold seven shells or more.

The law applies to eight cities in Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads, and five high-population counties in Northern Virginia and the Richmond area.

“I think we need to take a good look at this,” said Mayor Sherman Lea.

But City Attorney Dan Callaghan warned that a gun control measure could be a distraction and sour conservative legislators whose support the city needs on other issues.

The city’s lobbyist, Rob Catron, predicted a bill to add Roanoke to the law would be dead on arrival in the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee.

“This sort of legislation is always referred to that committee, and it never comes out,” he said.

He and Ferris pointed out that even if it passed, someone could still openly carry an assault rifle into a concert at Elmwood Park as long as it had a magazine with fewer than 20 rounds.

“It’s so weak that I don’t know what it’s going to accomplish,” Councilwoman Michelle Dykstra said.

Councilman Bill Bestpitch didn’t oppose the idea, but said he didn’t care for its piecemeal approach.

Notwithstanding, Lea, Vice Mayor Anita Price and Councilmen David Trinkle and John Garland still pressed for the city to take a stand on the matter.

“We need to send a statement that Roanoke is a city that’s concerned about guns and assault rifles,” Lea said.

Garland argued to take an even stronger position, asking to expand the law to cover all localities, not just a handful.

“It’s a waste of time, a waste of energy,” Ferris said. “We care, so we’re going to do something that makes no difference?”

The effort would be better spent on pressing the area’s state and federal representatives to come up with a meaningful solution, he said.

“Why can’t we do both?” Trinkle asked.

Callaghan seized on that as a compromise and ended the debate with a suggestion that he draft an addition to the legislative agenda asking the General Assembly to address concerns about guns in Virginia communities, and as an interim step, consider adding Roanoke to the existing law.