Roanoke laws

[frayluisfan]

Dear All,

Am thinking about a vacation in Roanoke for hiking, etc. Would *really* appreciate any advice you can give me on the following points.

1. I understand that open carry is OK in VA, and is the only option when it comes to places that serve alcohol. Do I have that straight? And also, do restaurants in Roanoke look at you weird if you do open carry?

2. Does the city of Roanoke forbid concealed carry in parks, like on the Greenways?

3. Am I correct in thinking that concealed carry is OK in VA in state parks and national forests?


Many thanks for your help! I've tried wading through the statutes and the VA State Police sites, but am still a bit confused.

 

[wdlsguy]

Can't help you with Roanoke-specific questions, but here is information on Virginia (you will need to scroll down):

http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USOffLimitsN-W.pdf

 

[Craig_AR]

Here's a more authoritative source for VA gun laws:
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms.shtm

VA doe have reciprocity on permits with NC:
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_Reciprocity.shtm

also,
You said, "1. I understand that open carry is OK in VA, and is the only option when it comes to places that serve alcohol. Do I have that straight?"
Yes, you do. But remember, the restaurants can prohibit guns with a simple sign.
The Virginia Citizen's Defense League (http://www.vcdl.org/) has information on particular businesses such as restaurants that prohibit guns.

I am up in NoVA - have nto spent tiem in Roanoke area, so cannot comment on local issues.

craig

 

[MarinePride]

I wouldn't open carry in Roanoke anywhere, but that's me. I conceal if I can, but you are allowed to open carry in a bar that serves alcohol. You cannot conceal carry in the same establishment. I never understood the rationale behind it, as alcohol and guns are not good combinations in a public setting.

You cannot conceal carry on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as it is under the control of the National Park Service. If you get out of your vehicle I would not be armed. When I look at the leaves in the fall, my gun is in the trunk.

Although you are within your right to open carry in the city, why bring undo attention to yourself? And that is exactly what will happen.

 

[Beatnik]

why bring undo attention to yourself?

The word you actually wanted is "undue", as in, it's not due. It's not expected because OC is a normal situation. I couldn't have put it better.

But the reality is that OC is NOT a normal situation in VA. I get the impression that Roanoke is a little island of "Blue State" in the mountains. The entire area is getting built up to be the same New Jersey suburbia clone that they've paved over NoVA to be.

All of the open carry incidents I've read about in the last year have happened in the tidewater area (Norfolk, Va Beach) or in NoVA. I don't know if that's because Roanoke is cool with it, or nobody's trying.

There are lots of Virginians at opencarry.org - but I've asked a couple of them for pointers, or if there's a central place I can look before I start open carrying, and the whole thing seems pretty disorganized. I'm not going to OC until I can find out definitively what I can do/ not do.

 

[makarova]

Bring your cell phone

Take audio or even video if your phone will support it. You may need it for evidence. Check out VCDL. They have mucho info on why that could be a good idea.

 

[vt357]

I have OC'ed around Blacksburg and Christiansburg but not in Roanoke. I won't get into the "to open carry or not to open carry" debate here, but if you are already comfortable OC'ing, then Roanoke shouldn't be any different.

Also the best hiking spots around Roanoke are on the Appalachian Trail which is technically National Park land where any carry is a no-no.

Check out the VA opencarry.org page - http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum54/

 

[VARifleman]

1. I understand that open carry is OK in VA, and is the only option when it comes to places that serve alcohol. Do I have that straight?

Yes, you have that right.

And also, do restaurants in Roanoke look at you weird if you do open carry?

Never OCed in Roanoke, so I don't know. Never had a problem around Fairfax though.

2. Does the city of Roanoke forbid concealed carry in parks, like on the Greenways?

Not sure what you mean by greenways, but towns only have control over when discharge of a firearm is lawful, so no, it's ok to carry in state/city parks.

3. Am I correct in thinking that concealed carry is OK in VA in state parks and national forests?

Yes.

 

[Well Regulated]

Do Yourself a Favor

VARifleman is on target.

For the most complete and authoritative answers go here:

http://www.virginia1774.org/


You cannot currently open carry in a state park. State parks are controlled by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. You can open or conceal carry in a local or regional park because of state preemption.


National Forests are by agreement controlled by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries regulations. Conealed carry by permit holders is ok.


Make sure where you are becasue along the Blue Ridge, The National Parks System (No Carry at all) controls a lot of the land and a lot of the land is directly adjacent to national forest land.

 

[Well Regulated]

Do Yourself a Favor

Duplicate Posting

 

[chipperi]

I think all you would have to worry about is VA law as localities are not allowed to make laws or ordnances that supersede state laws where guns are the issue. But beware the Appy trail and the Blueridge parkway are Federal property.