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Hampton Roads - OC reports

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Went to the Steak and Shake and the Sprint store on Mercury Blvd., no issues.

Then we went to the gun show at the Convention Center.
I left my pistol and holster in the truck because I didn't want to deal with security and wasn't sure on what they would do with OC'ers. The gun shows in NC always banned OC.

There was an OC'er in line ahead of us and he went over to the cops and unloaded his pistol so they could put a zip tie through it.

Does this seem asinine to anyone else? You are making people handle loaded firearms in public to prevent them from handling loaded firearms in public.

After that we went to the Fresh Market in Newport News and I had one guy follow me through the store, he never said anything, but every time I saw him he was staring at me. Oh well, I can't help it I'm beautiful.
I do not stop at the gun show security desk.

I zip tie (kinda, sorta) my own. The zip tie is installed in such a fashion as to appear "locked", but will easily pull out of the way. Houdini taught me the trick of illusion.
 
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2a4all

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2008
Messages
1,846
Location
Newport News, Virginia, USA
Went to the Steak and Shake and the Sprint store on Mercury Blvd., no issues.

Then we went to the gun show at the Convention Center.
I left my pistol and holster in the truck because I didn't want to deal with security and wasn't sure on what they would do with OC'ers. The gun shows in NC always banned OC.

There was an OC'er in line ahead of us and he went over to the cops and unloaded his pistol so they could put a zip tie through it.

Does this seem asinine to anyone else? You are making people handle loaded firearms in public to prevent them from handling loaded firearms in public.

After that we went to the Fresh Market in Newport News and I had one guy follow me through the store, he never said anything, but every time I saw him he was staring at me. Oh well, I can't help it I'm beautiful.
This particular gun show organizer doesn't allow loaded firearms into the show (signs prominently posted) as part of their contract with the City of Hampton to lease the facility. No one cares how you carry your firearm (OC or CC with your valid NC permit).

As for handling a loaded firearm unnecessarily, you're correct. I make it a practice to unload mine prior to entering the building, and provide my own zip ties.
 

wrearick

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
650
Location
Virginia Beach, Va.
Suffolk Peanut Festival

Open Carried this weekend at the Suffolk Peanut Festival. Plenty of LEOs around and some I know for sure noticed but not one word was said and no running screaming panic stricken people were observed.
 

wrearick

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
650
Location
Virginia Beach, Va.
We are being noticed

In my part time gig as a Uber/LYFT driver, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with some Navy folks about Virginia Gun Laws. In particular, one was from Texas, where "everyone owns a gun" but he shared his initial surprise on encountering folks open carrying in the Hampton Roads area. He never had a conversation with any of them but was surprised how frequently he ran into folks open carrying. The more he saw it, the more he liked it and refined his initial wariness over encountering an "armed citizen". The fact that everyone else around him didn't react or fuss made him realize it is a "normal" thing around these parts. He is very happy that Texas has now legalized open carry and he definitely plans to try it when he gets a chance (not much chance here as the only firearm avail to him is a government issue berretta and that is always open carried as part of his uniform). Told him about OCDO and VCDL and the impact both groups have made on making the laws in Virginia as unrestrictive as possible.
 

ron73440

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
474
Location
Suffolk VA
Last weekend went to Mission BBQ, Field and Stream , and Total Wine in Chesapeake.

This weekend we went to Virginia Beach, had pho at Saigon #1 and then did some furniture shopping at Haynes.

Dropped my truck off at Firestone on Hillcrest in Chesapeake and then went to the Home Depot next door.

Yesterday had work in Yorktown, so my wife met me in Hampton and we had lunch at Tommy's restaurant(she brought my gun from the house, I work on base).

Everywhere, no one even looked at me funny.

Freedom is Awesome
 

ron73440

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
474
Location
Suffolk VA
Picked up my truck on Saturday and we went to Mr. Jim's in Chesapeake after.

No one said a word and there was another OC'er who came in after me. I was sitting down, so I don't think he saw me and then he ate outside so I didn't talk to him.

It's been a while since I saw one in the wild, good to know I'm not the only one.

Freedom is Awesome
 
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wrearick

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
650
Location
Virginia Beach, Va.
Wife and I attended the Hunter Safety Course given by DGIF volunteers at the Chesapeake Sherriff's Office on Saturday. According to them, due to the presence of Training Firearms used in the class (all made non-fireable and blaze Orange in color) live ammunition was not allowed to be in the room and anyone in possession of a firearm was asked to take it out and secure it in their vehicle. Complied to be able to complete the course but could find nothing in writing prohibiting fire arms being present. At one point 2 DGIF Conservation Protection Officers (Game Wardens) stood within 1 foot of said orange firearms, both with handguns on their belts - I assume, but can not state for a fact that the firearms were loaded and the spare magazines on their belts contained ammunition as well.

On Sunday, visited the Portsmouth Farmers market and the Kempsville branch library with no issues while OC'ing
 

ron73440

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
474
Location
Suffolk VA
Wife and I attended the Hunter Safety Course given by DGIF volunteers at the Chesapeake Sherriff's Office on Saturday. According to them, due to the presence of Training Firearms used in the class (all made non-fireable and blaze Orange in color) live ammunition was not allowed to be in the room and anyone in possession of a firearm was asked to take it out and secure it in their vehicle. Complied to be able to complete the course but could find nothing in writing prohibiting fire arms being present. At one point 2 DGIF Conservation Protection Officers (Game Wardens) stood within 1 foot of said orange firearms, both with handguns on their belts - I assume, but can not state for a fact that the firearms were loaded and the spare magazines on their belts contained ammunition as well.

On Sunday, visited the Portsmouth Farmers market and the Kempsville branch library with no issues while OC'ing

I hate those kind of rules, but I kind of understand them, I was a weapon instructor for the Marines and untrained people can do dumb things.

That being said if you OC all the time I see no reason why you couldn't be trusted.

Don't forget, the king's men are special.
 

wrearick

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
650
Location
Virginia Beach, Va.
busy weekend

OC'd over the weekend at:

Virginia Beach Convention Center (Christmas Bazaar)
Food Lion
Farm Fresh
Kroger
WaWa (multiple)
Virginia Beach Central Library
Kempsville Library
Joint Use Library (up to the outside book deposit only - not inside the "building")
IHOP
Home Depot
Walgreens
Virginia Beach Farmers Market
WALMART

No issues or screaming people.....
 

Marco

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
3,905
Location
Greene County
Spent a week in VB with no issues.
I did have a few folks ask or refer to me as "officer", which is strange.
NO badge, wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sandals and OC'ing two firearms equals "officer"... :) Maybe it was the fact I was clean shaven.

But, nothing negative when I advised them I wasn't.

I did however notice another OC'er at the rest stop.
 

wrearick

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
650
Location
Virginia Beach, Va.
"ESCORTED" out of Pembroke Mall

Checking out the craft fair in the mall sunday afternoon and I noticed a security guard circling around the merchant we were chatting with, about 30 feet out. He met up with another security guard and began talking on his radio. He left but the other guard remained within eyesight. Wife was having palm scanned by the merchant at the essential oils table. Gave her a heads up we would probably be approached and started a voice recorder. After another 5 minutes, the guard remaining in the area had worked his way to the EMS table next to us and then approached me, extending his hand and informed me that I was not allowed to open carry in the mall. He was very polite and shared that he personally disagree with the policy (as well as the one that didn't allow him to be armed). About the same time the supervisor showed up and was very polite and professional as well. They offered to show me the small signs posted at the main public entrances but I declined - I didn't see one and that is all there was too it. Whether there was one there or not would not change anything (there was no sign at the entrance I entered by).

I said we would leave as soon as my wife was finished and they politely agreed and stood off to the side trying not to look like I was in custody. Wife wanted me to get the same analysis and the merchant said it would only take 4 minutes. I said I needed to check and walked over and asked the gentlemen if I could stay for 4 more minutes and get my reading done. The junior guard who made the initial contact kind of took my side and said to his boss, gee, it's only 4 minutes, so I was given permission to get my reading.

They walked with us (escorted) out of the main area of the mall into the anchor store that we had parked outside of. on the way we discussed that there is a reason mass shootings happen in 'gun free zones' and that if someone is open carrying, you can be pretty sure they are a good guy. Anyway, several merchants were aware of potential customers being told to leave. I got a few nods of support and did not observe anyone taking cover at any time or running for their life. The security guards were polite and professional - I was actually expecting the first guy on the radio had gone to meet a Virginia Beach Police officer at the door and escort him to me and the city cop tender the request to leave but that didn't happen (or the younger guard was pretty sure from my behavior that there would not be any trouble and resolved to handle it on his own).

I normally avoid the malls because I know their policies but we were interested in seeing the crafts and with the weather outside were going to take advantage of the trip to the mall to walk a lap inside the building for some exercise. If I know I am going to walk I will normally conceal carry to avoid any hassles but felt like showing people how idiot some of the measures for their protection are. We had a good conversation with the essential oils merchant and I know several others caught at least bits and pieces of the conversation so ....seeds planted.
 

Thundar

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
4,946
Location
Newport News, Virginia, USA
8 Sept 18. Carried my Sig 229 DAO in an owb holster.

Hampton Home Depot - pretty busy, sold out of generators.

Food Lion - Kechotahn Rd Hampton - the place was busy and almost out of water.

7-11 LaSalle Ave Hampton. Still plenty of gas.

No issues open carrying at any of these places.

Live free or die,
Thundar
 

Thundar

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
4,946
Location
Newport News, Virginia, USA
Happy New Year. Only 3 posts in the Hampton Roads forum in 2018. I remember when we had over a hundred a day when BMWAG was arrested and LEO 229 was being his typical self. Ahhhh the good old days.
 

DrMark

Lone Star Veteran
Joined
Jan 13, 2007
Messages
1,559
Location
Hampton Roads, Virginia, USA
I saw a unicorn on Thu 2 May 2019, open carrying at the IHOP on Warwick Blvd in Newport News near Ft Eustis.

He was paying at the register in front of me and three co-workers. As we left, I asked my co-workers if they had noticed, and none of them had.
 

ron73440

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
474
Location
Suffolk VA
Been in Suffolk 2 years now and still not a single complaint and quite a few positive comments.

My dog has been in training at the Petco off of University Blvd for 11 weeks without a problem.

Took my wife for breakfast on Saturday to the Plaid Turnip and two ladies were sitting right by where I was waiting for a table. Overheard one tell the other about my pistol and she replied that she would rather I was there because if something "popped off" I would probably do something about it, and the first lady agreed.

There was a car show on the street outside the resturaunt, with about 40 cars, so we checked it out after we ate.

Cops were everywhere, guessing 20 cops for around 200 people. All of them ignored me, even a pair that stared at my gun for a few seconds and made me a little nervous.

All in all, we had a great time.

Freedom is Awesome
 
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