Posted: 2/10/2009 8:07:53 AM EDT
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I've come across a new term this weekend while visiting VA - Open Carry.
I've just applied for my FL and VA CCW permits and I've never heard of Open Carry before (I live in the communist state of NJ). I googled for some info regarding OC and from what I can gather, there really aren't any laws regarding open carry (ie. open carry permits). My question is: When you have a CCW permit (say FL), does that mean that your firearm has to be hidden from view (ie. in your waistband, a bag or covered by clothing)? The guys I met in VA all had their guns on their belts with no shirt covering them. Does that mean that they may not have a CCW permit? When I was in FL (Miami Area), I never saw anyone "open carry" on the streets - then again, it is Miami. Don't know what it's like in other parts of FL, though. Anyway, possessing a CCW permit means you carry it concealed and out of view? I know that as a citizen, you don't want to advertise that your carrying...I just want to understand the legal specifics. |
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Florida has NO open carry. If you are licenced then you can carry "on or about your person" concealed. There are a couple exemptions to the open carry law for camping, fishing, and hunting.
Virginia has open carry. You have a handgun and are legally allowed to have it then slap it on your hip and walk round, license or no license. To conceal it in Virginia you MUST have a license(someone can correct me if im worng but my in-laws are from there and from what I have read this is how it is). |
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Quoted: Open carry, just like concealed carry, is regulated differently state to state. +1 in NY, for example, there is CCW only with a permit required, ME requires a permit for CCW, but open carry is legal without a permit, in VT open carry and ccw are both legal without a permit....It really depends on where you are. |
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One of the most liberating things I ever did was OC in VA when I was down there last April for my doctoral program. I walked around Alexandria for 8 glorious days with my HK USPc in a SERPA. No drawdowns, blading, adenaline dump, small children crying, women screaming, or SWAT teams to take me down.
The only comment was from the 20-something at a Coldstone's who asked what I thought of the USP series as he was thinking of getting one. |