What do I need to know about CC/OC in Virginia

[jcabin]

A fellow OC'er and I are taking a vacation to VA in a couple months to visit a good friend of ours who is in the military. He and his wife are both cool with us bringing our guns, and they have already found a range for us to go shooting at while we're there.

I'd like to start researching now so I have everything down for when we go on vacation. So I'd like to ask the assistance of you fine folks who have experience in the matter of carrying cc/oc in VA, and those who have knowledge on the subject as well.

Let's start with what I do know.

My LTCF is reciprocal with Virginia.
Open carry is legal in Virginia.
When in an establishment that serves alcohol, I must open carry by law.
Military bases are prohibited.
Federal property is still prohibited.
Private property rights still trump my rights.

Only questions I can think of off the top of my head are:

Is Virginia a "required to notify" state?
What are trespass laws like in VA?
Can I be charged with trespass/criminal trespass simply for entering a store that has a "no guns permitted" sign?
Does the sign have to be visible at the entrance in a reasonable location for it to hold any weight?
Do "no guns allowed" signs hold any legal weight in Virginia?

To add, I will be in the williamsburg and norfolk area's.
ETA: I've reviewed http://handgunlaw.us/states/virginia.pdf and it seems that Virginia has similar statutory pre-emption much like Pennslyvania does.

[mrjam2jab]

Submitted for your perusal... VA Carry statute

Guessing you may already have that tho...

[gnbrotz]

When in an establishment that serves alcohol, I must open carry by law.

Minor clarification. OC is required in any establishment that is licensed to serve alcohol, even if it is not being served while you are there. One example would be a reception hall. If they are licensed to serve alcohol, you may not CC, even if the event you are attending is "dry".

[Curmudgeon]

Greg - I was not aware of that fine distinction, good to know!

Jcabin - If sightseeing is part of your trip, in addition to Williamsburg, consider visiting the settlement at Jamestown.

Also, for more info on visiting Virginia, consider shooting a PM to 87th PVI here (he and his wife have visited Williamsburg, probably on more than one occasion); and Grapeshot on OCDO. It would not surprise me to learn they may be having a meet and great while you are down there. I'm betting you will find yourself in good company, OC-wise.

All I got.

[knight0334]

Here is my OC report for the Newport News & Hampton area FWIW.

http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-14...-virginia.html

[WVneighbor]

Another good resource is http://www.vcdl.org/. Or the Virginia section on Opencarry.org. A lot of the VCDL folks post there.

I don't have any answers to your specific questions that I know to be 100% correct.

I think there is no duty to inform, but I don't know for sure.
I think no guns signs carry weight of law, but I don't know for sure.

Good luck with your vacation.

[knight0334]

Another good resource is http://www.vcdl.org/. Or the Virginia section on Opencarry.org. A lot of the VCDL folks post there.

I don't have any answers to your specific questions that I know to be 100% correct.

I think there is no duty to inform, but I don't know for sure.
I think no guns signs carry weight of law, but I don't know for sure.

Good luck with your vacation.

Yep..

http://www.vcdl.org/static/ccw.html

Places Where Carrying Concealed is Prohibited
NOTE: In most, but not all, locations where concealed carry is prohibited, open carry is also prohibited.
# Federal Property (concealed carry with CHP and hunting exempted in National Forests) (18USC § 930)
# General Assembly Building & property (open or concealed carry OK for CHP holders only) (JRC Rule)
# State Parks (concealed carry w/CHP legal but open carry prohibited)
# Virginia Commonwealth University (8VAC90-10-50)
# Courthouses (§18.2-283.1)
# Detention Facilities (§15.2-915)
# K-12 school property (unless unloaded in a closed container). CHP holders may possess a loaded concealed handgun while in a vehicle. (§18.2-308.1)
# K-12 school buses. (§18.2-308.1)
# Property used exclusively for K-12 school-sponsored functions (§18.2-308.1)
# Air carrier airport terminal buildings (§18.2-287.01)
# Places of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held "without good and sufficient reason" (§18.2-283)
# Restaurants & clubs serving on-premises alcohol (concealed carry prohibited, open carry NOT prohibited; owners & employees exempted) (§18.2-308.J3)
# Private property when prohibited by owner (§18.2-308.O)

[PennsyPlinker]

Another little known quirk of VA law is that while you are in Williamsburg, you may only carry a flintlock or matchlock gun. Anything else is considered an anachronism, and is subject to the time police.

Seriously now. I was in Richmond two years ago for a convention. I carried openly, much to the dismay of some nannies I know locally and who were there also, but with no problems from the locals.

[inspector710]

Is Virginia a "required to notify" state?


From Handgun Law:

Virginia
Shall Issue ------Must Inform Officer: NO

[jcabin]

Bump. Leaving in 10 days. I've reviewed most of the information a few times over now, but was hoping someone out there might have something else to add at this point seeing as the thread is many months old now.


ETA: Aww shucks. I just read ahead and found the effective date is 7/1/2010 to allow CC in bars.

The question still stands though, can I have beer with my dinner? Can I have more than 2 beers which would put me at the standard .08BAC limits several states use?