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NoVA (Northern Virginia) - OC reports

JamesCanby

Activist Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
1,480
Location
Alexandria, VA at www.NoVA-MDSelfDefense.com
Weekend open carry in NoVA

Strapped on the Sig P239/.40 and spent time at the crowded Farmer's Market in Del Ray (near Alexandria), then spent time at the CarMax in Woodbridge looking at some recently used SUVs, back up to Springfield to visit the Subaru dealer. No :eek: or women fainting, even took a Forester for a test drive and the sales guy showed no hesitation getting into the car with me in the driver's seat. In fact, even though I stayed situationally aware, I noticed no one giving me the stink-eye. Just as it should be...
 

user

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
2,516
Location
Northern Piedmont
Have to make a correction: DelRay (traditionally spelled with no space for some reason, and pronounced with the accent on the first syllable - del REY is a place in California, I think) is in Alexandria, having been annexed from Arlington in, I think, 1936. The boundary is at Four Mile Run, just past Arlandria. I am an alumnus of Mt. Vernon Elementary School, lived on DelRay Avenue, Howell Avenue, and Nelson Avenue at various times. So I consider myself a big authority on what DelRay was before it became chic and upscale. We folks who lived there, literally on the wrong side of the (Potomac Yards) tracks were too poor to know we were integrated (an important consideration at the time), because none of the people who lived there (in the Four Mile Run flood plain) didn't have the assets to live somewhere else. But since all the socialists, yuppies, and artsy-craftsy types moved in and flood control has eliminated the threat to property values, I have to say I am surprised at the lack of reaction. I've been meaning to take my dog for a walk around down there, myself, just to see what, if anything, hasn't changed.
 

user

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
2,516
Location
Northern Piedmont
Well, I know others have had issues but I've been oc'ing in COSTO for years without incident until just now. Refused entry into COSTO Leesburg.

Do you still have your copy of the terms and conditions in effect when you signed up and paid for the right to come in? Does it say anything about guns?
 

JamesCanby

Activist Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
1,480
Location
Alexandria, VA at www.NoVA-MDSelfDefense.com
User, thanks for the insight...

I had the feeling that I was in yuppie-land as we walked through the farmer's market and along DelRay's "main drag" where all of the trendy artsy-crafty stores were located ... and yet, there was no discernible reaction to my EDC, despite the fact that it was well visible. I'd like to think that the vast majority of people have become accustomed to and accepting of open carry, but I more reasonably suspect that most all of them live in a perpetual state of Condition White.
 

HPmatt

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
1,467
Location
Dallas
Great news from daughter in Clarendon: "I think I'm going to get a concealed carry permit. Would do it with two friends at work."

Not an OC decision yet, but much better than her big protests of my flying in VA 8 months ago w sidearms.

I think my continued low-frequency cautions about the danger of DC, and probably more important the random murder of a FOF in DC a few weeks ago - Matt Shlonsky, has raised the thought that NOVA is not a safe place.

If yall have any suggestions on good gun ranges in the area would like to pass them on to her. W/b a good excuse to fly to DC and shoot w her!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Great news from daughter in Clarendon: "I think I'm going to get a concealed carry permit. Would do it with two friends at work."

Not an OC decision yet, but much better than her big protests of my flying in VA 8 months ago w sidearms.

I think my continued low-frequency cautions about the danger of DC, and probably more important the random murder of a FOF in DC a few weeks ago - Matt Shlonsky, has raised the thought that NOVA is not a safe place.

If yall have any suggestions on good gun ranges in the area would like to pass them on to her. W/b a good excuse to fly to DC and shoot w her!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We as parents plant the seed and nurture it. Somewhere along the way friends exert their influence, so she has made some good choices in selecting her friends too. She's a bright young lady, embarking on what will hopefully be a lifetime of personal responsibility. You did good and are still doing so, dad.

Those more familiar with Nova will be along soon to help you with range locations.
 

bbMurphy

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Messages
82
Location
Hardy, VA
Local NoVa ranges.

Here are some local ranges that may interest you:

Sharpshooters in Springfield (www.sharpshootersva.com) has 16 25yd lanes. It is a membership only range but sells monthly, 6-month, and annual memberships. It allows for handgun (all calibers) and center-fire rifle (max caliber 30-06).

Silver Eagle Group in Ashburn (www.silvereaglegroup.com) has 20 25yd and 10 50yd lanes. It is open to the public but has membership only range hours. It also allows for all handgun, shotguns, and rifles up to 50 BMG.

NRA range in Fairfax (nrahqrange.nra.org) has 15 50yd lanes. It is open to the public. hanguns up to .500 S&W and rifles up to .460 Weatherby Magnum allowed. Shotguns allowed but may only fire slugs.

I've personally used Sharpshooters and the NRA range and can recommend both of them. Haven't used SEG but it looks interesting.
 
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solus

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2013
Messages
9,315
Location
here nc
Great news from daughter in Clarendon: "I think I'm going to get a concealed carry permit. Would do it with two friends at work."
Not an OC decision yet, but much better than her big protests of my flying in VA 8 months ago w sidearms.
I think my continued low-frequency cautions about the danger of DC, and probably more important the random murder of a FOF in DC a few weeks ago - Matt Shlonsky, has raised the thought that NOVA is not a safe place.
If yall have any suggestions on good gun ranges in the area would like to pass them on to her. W/b a good excuse to fly to DC and shoot w her!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Suggestion HP, help her find an appropriate instructor, pay for it, and only when she has been educated on safe handling of firearms, proper basic shooting techniques, invite yourself to a long weekend with the 'tentative' opportunity to go shooting...

you will find your offspring will enjoy your visit better w/o any pressure to: "darn i gotta listen to the olde man telling me how to shoot this way or that or buy this firearm etc. doesn't he know i am an adult now?"

btw HP, you do know the motivation to shoot could be from her peers (possibly read as MALES) and continued association with them? lol

glad you provided the comfort level to her so she at least she wishes to stretch her wings where her peers might be hesitating.

ipse
 

HPmatt

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
1,467
Location
Dallas
I hear that the tipping point was this lady dentist being shot and killed in her nice apartment building garage a few miles from our house here in Dallas:

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/201...ge-release-photo-of-vehicle-of-interest.html/

I have certainly figured out not to teach or hold out as an expert w my daughter or wife anything to do with - driving, computers, smartphones, new cars w computers, calculus, accounting, taxes, wifi, Tivo, Netflix, fashion coordination, etc....-unless asked.

My engineering degree, mba, cpa license, domestic and foreign corporate tax & finance experience are better used in dealing with others that consider me an expert than close family...


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Tess

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2006
Messages
3,837
Location
Bryan, TX
Great news from daughter in Clarendon: "I think I'm going to get a concealed carry permit. Would do it with two friends at work."

Not an OC decision yet, but much better than her big protests of my flying in VA 8 months ago w sidearms.

I think my continued low-frequency cautions about the danger of DC, and probably more important the random murder of a FOF in DC a few weeks ago - Matt Shlonsky, has raised the thought that NOVA is not a safe place.

If yall have any suggestions on good gun ranges in the area would like to pass them on to her. W/b a good excuse to fly to DC and shoot w her!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


If you're interested, I'd be happy to PM you names and contact info for good instructors in the area, including a couple who specialize in training women.
 

JamesCanby

Activist Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
1,480
Location
Alexandria, VA at www.NoVA-MDSelfDefense.com
Spent all day yesterday openly carrying: at the Falls Church Farmers' Market, among hundreds of people milling about in Condition White, never noticing my firearm; at my Bank of America branch while interacting with the branch manager and among a gaggle of customers; and at the car dealership while closing the deal on a new car. No stares, comments or women fainting...
 

Citizen

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2006
Messages
18,269
Location
Fairfax Co., VA
<chuckle>

The general manager of a store where I shop regularly is not discomfited by OC. He's not anti-gun. He was recently standing on my left, positioned at about 9 o'clock. He actually leaned forward and looked around to my 3 o'clock to see if I was indeed OCing as usual.

Glad I was. Hate to disappoint.

:)
 

JamesCanby

Activist Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
1,480
Location
Alexandria, VA at www.NoVA-MDSelfDefense.com
I'm back...

Just recently returned from three weeks of international travel, and have resumed my "normal" life, including OC wherever I'm legally allowed.

I'm now carrying the S&W M&P holstered OWB. It's a lot more visible than the Sig P239 I had normally been carrying, but I still don't seem to be drawing any untoward attention, no :eek:, horses fainting or women getting the vapors.

Carried into my local Bank of America Branch and Harris Teeter locations, no reactions at all. As it should be.
 
Last edited:

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Another foray today out among the great unwashed masses, with stops at Country Squire drycleaners, Starbucks and Whole Foods in Springfield, then onto Total Wine near Landmark... Nothing to report....
Au contraire mon ami, that is a very good report. :)
 

JamesCanby

Activist Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
1,480
Location
Alexandria, VA at www.NoVA-MDSelfDefense.com
Another day spent running errands in Springfield while openly carrying...
Country Squire Cleaners
Starbucks (gasp), where I stood out of the line and well-visible while the wife loaded up on bags of caffeine
Bed Bath and Beyond
Wal-Mart (yuck, but some things are cheapest there)

Again, no one seemed to notice at all... no comments, no :eek: ... just as it should be.
 

homestar

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Messages
79
Location
Ashburn, Va
Took a trip out to the courthouse in Leesburg today to update my CHP since moving. Everyone was very nice, but upon leaving I asked the officers up front about the lockers where they had me place my phone prior to entering. "If I have future business here, could those lockers be used to secure a holstered handgun?" Their demeanor changed immediately and I was told in no uncertain terms that they'd arrest me for bringing it onto the property at all. They told me to review the prohibited places on my CHP, which I already knew and they stated the courthouse prohibition did not just apply to the secure area. Anyone want to weigh in on the accuracy of that?
 

HPmatt

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
1,467
Location
Dallas
Guess you didn't ask if they had longer lockers for your AR-15 assault rifle eh?


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