VA carry laws?

Hey guys and gals.... I am reading through VA law now about this, but it is a lot of reading, and not much related to the subject of Concealed Carry.

1st problem... does VA honor SC permits? handgunlaw says yes, SC says NO. I haven't found VA list yet.

2nd.... if not honored, what are the laws pertaining to carrying?

I will be travelling to VA countryside, not major cities this weekend, so I just need to know.

NC honors the SC permit, so while on the road I'll have no issues there. I will notify if I happen to have to discuss anything with NC LEOs.

VA on the other hand... I need to know the law first.....

VA recognizes SC

See: http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_Reciprocity.shtm

Quote:

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Listing of states of which Virginia will grant recognition to valid permit holders:

Minnesota
South Carolina
Washington
Wyoming

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However, SC will not recognize VA

Also look here: http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_StateLaws.shtm

Restaurants: Open carry only (IWB with shirt tucked behind counts as open carry)

I think this covers some of it......


P. A valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state shall authorize the holder of such permit or license who is at least 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth, provided (i) the issuing authority provides the means for instantaneous verification of the validity of all such permits or licenses issued within that state, accessible 24 hours a day, and (ii) except for the age of the permit or license holder and the type of weapon authorized to be carried, the requirements and qualifications of that state's law are adequate to prevent possession of a permit or license by persons who would be denied a permit in the Commonwealth under this section. The Superintendent of State Police shall (a) in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General determine whether states meet the requirements and qualifications of this section, (b) maintain a registry of such states on the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN), and (c) make the registry available to law-enforcement officers for investigative purposes. The Superintendent of the State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, may also enter into agreements for reciprocal recognition with any state qualifying for recognition under this subsection.

SO if I go out to eat in VA, I HAVE to open carry? What kind of issues am I going to have with the sheeples?

I am still reading.........

Listing of states of which Virginia will grant recognition to valid permit holders:

Minnesota
South Carolina
Washington
Wyoming

Although Virginia will grant recognition, these states may not authorize Virginia permit holders to possess a firearm in their state. You will need to contact each state to determine if they will recognize your Virginia permit.

Found here: http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_Reciprocity.shtm

Seems to me VA does recognize SC.

usacarry.com says yes

Edit: Well shoot, sorry for the duplicate info, guess I am just too slow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by XD in SC

SO if I go out to eat in VA, I HAVE to open carry?

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No. You could disarm or patronize only restaurants that don't serve alcohol. (I mention disarming only as a theoretical possibility, of course. :smile: )

Depends on where u are going. Around the southern part of virginia people oc all the time with no problems.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by XD in SC

SO if I go out to eat in VA, I HAVE to open carry? What kind of issues am I going to have with the sheeples?

I am still reading.........

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You could choose restaurants that don't serve alcohol, although that isn't easy much past fast food. Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel are about it. Probably a local diner here and there. Of course it varies by where you are. I wouldn't have thought Manassas would have been a problem, but it was this year.

I'm sure you have been reading here on the VSP website. Scroll to near the bottom for the cannot carry info. There are links to the Code of Virginia there as well.

So you know that the signs don't have to be a specific size or in a particular place. Also they have to ask you to leave. Only if you refuse can you be charged with a crime.

Have a safe trip.

Here is a copy of part of the site Sigguy229 linked to.


Listing of states with which Virginia has Reciprocity Agreements*:

Alaska
Florida
Kentucky
North Carolina
Ohio

Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
West Virginia


* Virginia non-resident permit holders – Virginia non-resident permit holders should contact each reciprocal state to determine if their permit will be recognized prior to carrying in that jurisdiction.

Effective June 7, 2007, West Virginia law has changed and the State of West Virginia will no longer honor Virginia non-resident permits.
Florida law does not grant reciprocity to holders of Virginia non-resident permits.
Listing of states with which Virginia has mutual recognition (Jurisdictions honor permits issued by the other):

Arizona
Arkansas
Louisiana
New Mexico
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Oklahoma
Utah


Listing of states of which Virginia will grant recognition to valid permit holders:

Minnesota
South Carolina
Washington
Wyoming

Although Virginia will grant recognition, these states may not authorize Virginia permit holders to possess a firearm in their state. You will need to contact each state to determine if they will recognize your Virginia permit.



I have never seen this before. VA has divided up the states they will honor into three catagories.

A) States they reciprocy with
B) States which they have "mutual recognition"
C) States which they will grant recognition to valid permit holders.


Talk about confusing, at least for this country boy!!, so VA does not have reciprocy with SC. However they will grant recognition to SC permit holders Whats the difference? All we need to know is can we carry in that state. Is there a difference between having reciprocy and having recognition?
Maybe somebody can clarify what all this means.
To the OP is appears that you can carry in VA. under the recognition phrase but don't think they have reciprocy with SC.

If you want to carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol--YES--you MUST open carry.

However, CiCi's Pizza does not serve alcohol (as an example when to CC). Also, some buffet places do not serve alcohol (thus, CC). If concerned whether a place serves alcohol, I look for a bar or beer taps AND an ABC (Alcohol Beverage Commission) license of the wall.

As far as open carry goes you are allowed to open carry in Virginia. Some communities frown on it and have hassled some folks but they get straightened out fairly quickly and those that don't end up paying. The resturaunt carry applies if the yserve alcohol. If they don't then you may conceal there unless the location is posted. There aren't too many places posted. Those that were lost quite a bit of sales until they took the signs down. Come to Virginia and enjoy yourself. If you plan a trip on the Skyline Drive don't take your gun. It is federal property controled by the Nation Park Service and the Rangers there have cited and arrested folks for having a gun there.

Thanks for the insight gang. I don't plan to make any stops except for gas. We have a destination in the countryside. Saturday drive up, Sunday night drive back. Hopefully uneventful trip.

I regularly (2-3 time per week) open carry in Virginia restaraunts that serve alcohol by the single drink. Nobody ever hassles me, neither managers or other patrons. At first, you'll feel like you have a spotlight on you, but don't worry; just know that you're within the law. Like another poster said, just tuck your cover garment in behind the butt of the gun and, presto chango, you've gone from concealed to open (doesn't work so easily if you pocket carry).

I know a lot of permit holders in Virginia just continue to carry concealed in restaraunts. They know it's unlikely that they'll be made by a LEO, and the specific law does not have any provision for any punishment associated with carrying concealed, with permit, in an alcohol serving establishment. I go to the range regularly with a retired LEO who says every cop he knows will not enforce that law and he has interviewed many of them. I am not personally endorsing any lawbreaking behavior.

Other places you cannot carry in Virginia: courthouses, houses of worship during relilgious services (without good reason), private property if so posted and schools. You can drive onto school property with a concealed handgun as long as you stay in the car and keep it concealed. If you leave the car, the gun must be unloaded and in a closed container (like the car's trunk).

Anyplace you may conceal carry (with permit), you may also open carry, but no permit is required.