Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - Virginians Can Carry in Restaurants Serving Alcohol

jbour13 · 02-15-2008, 12:57

VCDL always has good info and is willing to help.

Bear in mind this is restaurants and not bars. If I can find it I'll post the law, but I read in the CCW laws for the Commonwealth that this law is if the Restaurant that has a license to serve alcohol doesn't make anymore than 40% of it's sales in alcohol. Goofy law, but it is what it is. Big ???? is, how are you to know what the sales margin is in anygiven restaurant? You don't, so exercise caution.

I've done it many times in places in the Springfield, Alexandria and Woodbridge area. When I worked at one of the local ranges, we'd shut down and go have a dinner. If we carried, we didn't drink. If it was in the truck, we didn't drive and we didn't drink. Impared judgement and shooting someone regardless of circumstance will get you a 6x6 home in a hurry.

VA is an open carry state, but that is also not commonly known be LEO's. I lived in Lorton and open carried before my permit was finalized by the Commonwealth. I was making my way to the mailbox and a Local PD stopped me and asked me WTF did I think I was doing. I calmly kept my hands in the right place and explained the law. He called it in, and after about 10 tense minutes the desk SGT said I was GTG. He didn't know, and he'd been an officer for around 13 years.

Regardless of open carry, vehicles and open carry are finicky. Post offices, federal and state buildings are off limits, schools, churches and demonstrations are off limits regardless of CCW or open. I'd recommend looking up the state laws regularly (they change like underwear) and print and carry the laws with you.

Places that are frequent and commonly found establishments like Friday's, Outback, Chili's, etc.....will give you the boot. If you are "asked" to leave, then leave. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor alone without a pistol, with it is a potential weapons charge added on. You get a felony, kiss your 2nd amendment rights goodbye.

I'm not a licensed law professional so proceed with caution. Educate yourself and others before proceeding.

02-15-2008, 12:57	#5
jbour13 Area Commander Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: JBLM Posts: 1,246	VCDL always has good info and is willing to help. Bear in mind this is restaurants and not bars. If I can find it I'll post the law, but I read in the CCW laws for the Commonwealth that this law is if the Restaurant that has a license to serve alcohol doesn't make anymore than 40% of it's sales in alcohol. Goofy law, but it is what it is. Big ???? is, how are you to know what the sales margin is in anygiven restaurant? You don't, so exercise caution. I've done it many times in places in the Springfield, Alexandria and Woodbridge area. When I worked at one of the local ranges, we'd shut down and go have a dinner. If we carried, we didn't drink. If it was in the truck, we didn't drive and we didn't drink. Impared judgement and shooting someone regardless of circumstance will get you a 6x6 home in a hurry. VA is an open carry state, but that is also not commonly known be LEO's. I lived in Lorton and open carried before my permit was finalized by the Commonwealth. I was making my way to the mailbox and a Local PD stopped me and asked me WTF did I think I was doing. I calmly kept my hands in the right place and explained the law. He called it in, and after about 10 tense minutes the desk SGT said I was GTG. He didn't know, and he'd been an officer for around 13 years. Regardless of open carry, vehicles and open carry are finicky. Post offices, federal and state buildings are off limits, schools, churches and demonstrations are off limits regardless of CCW or open. I'd recommend looking up the state laws regularly (they change like underwear) and print and carry the laws with you. Places that are frequent and commonly found establishments like Friday's, Outback, Chili's, etc.....will give you the boot. If you are "asked" to leave, then leave. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor alone without a pistol, with it is a potential weapons charge added on. You get a felony, kiss your 2nd amendment rights goodbye. I'm not a licensed law professional so proceed with caution. Educate yourself and others before proceeding. __________________ http://teamrwb.com/ "Let the blood of the infantry flow through your veins,or the blood of the infantry will be on your hands." - GEN John A. Wickham, Jr. speaking on the responsibilities of MI soldiers. Last edited by jbour13; 02-15-2008 at 13:00.
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