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Carryin a side arm...
This is mainly for fellow Virginia hunters, because I know the laws are different everywhere.
I hope its not just me but during bow season, I personally DO NOT feel comfortable walking through the woods in the dark with no firearm. Does anyone know the age requirement or if there is one, (I'm sure there is) to carry a sidearm?. I have looked in my manual, cant find one. I'm 16 by the way. |
I don't know about VA but in most states its 21 and you must have a CCW.
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its the same in va.
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Also, in many (NC included) it is illegal carring a sidearm while either bow or muzzleload hunting...
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I believe VA is similiar to WV, in that you can carry a sidearm during bow season IF you have a concealed carry permit. That is the primary reason I got my CCW this spring, and yes, I will be carrying my trusty Ruger SP101 during bow season and rifle season.
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I totally understand your concerns. I will be carrying a Ruger Old Army BP pistol during our ML season.
If due to your age you are not able to carry a pistol you might want to consider pepper spray. I carry pepper spray when I go walking late at night. Not as lethal as a pistol, but definately better than nothing. Get the hard core stuff that sprays 20 feet in a cloud not a narrow stream (much easier to hit eyes that way) and hopefully your attacker does not have a gun! |
In Alabama, no pistol or any kind during "archery only" season days. Pistol OK in ML days if it too is a ML.
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In Michigan, you can carry a concealed pistol even during archery season IF you have a CPL. Of course, like most states, you have to be 21 to get a CPL.
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You can't carry a firearm concealed in VA during bowseason unless you have a CWP and you can't get a CWP until you are 21.
However, there are certain instances where you can possess a handgun under 18 but you still can't legally conceal it. Refer to Virginia Code 18.2-308.7 edited to add: The only legal way to carry a firearm in VA during bow season is concealed. |
I think its federal that you have to be 21 years of age to carry any handgun in anystate. Some states do not have a Concealed Carry law in place so it would have to be worn where it can be seen. I carry my .44 with me every bow hunt. Thats going to be especially important this year with all the wolves running around Clark county. If it comes between me and a wolf, I hate to say it, but the wolf is going to come out on the losing end.
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Originally Posted by RobertSubnet
(Post 3428151)
I totally understand your concerns. I will be carrying a Ruger Old Army BP pistol during our ML season.
Get the hard core stuff that sprays 20 feet in a cloud not a narrow stream (much easier to hit eyes that way) and hopefully your attacker does not have a gun! If you choose to carry OC just be careful and check your state regulations on percentages and size of container that's allowable. |
Originally Posted by wis_bow_huntr
(Post 3428708)
I think its federal that you have to be 21 years of age to carry any handgun in anystate. Some states do not have a Concealed Carry law in place so it would have to be worn where it can be seen. I carry my .44 with me every bow hunt. Thats going to be especially important this year with all the wolves running around Clark county. If it comes between me and a wolf, I hate to say it, but the wolf is going to come out on the losing end.
OpenCarry.org is a good site that list the age you need to be in most states to open carry. Like said though it's not usually allowed to open carry during bow season. The federal law is that you have to be 21 to purchase a handgun from a FFL dealer. Some states such as VA allow you to purchase one in a private sale if you are under 21. |
In my own opinion, there would be similarity between VA and WV.
Handling firearms would be a great responsibility, that's why it should be preferred for a mature person. |
Thanks for correcting me....we are alowed to open carry in Wi during bow season.
Originally Posted by hometheaterman
(Post 3429293)
This is not true. In VA I know and some other states also apply you can open carry as long as your are 18 or older. You have to be 21 to get a concealed permit however. You also can't purchase a handgun from a dealer until you are 21. However, you can purchase one from a private party or be given one as a gift as long as you are 18 or older. I'm not exactly sure what the laws are on being under 18 and carrying a handgun. I've read them before but hate to comment on them as I can't remember them 100% so don't want to give out wrong info.
OpenCarry.org is a good site that list the age you need to be in most states to open carry. Like said though it's not usually allowed to open carry during bow season. The federal law is that you have to be 21 to purchase a handgun from a FFL dealer. Some states such as VA allow you to purchase one in a private sale if you are under 21. |
Originally Posted by hometheaterman
(Post 3429293)
This is not true. In VA I know and some other states also apply you can open carry as long as your are 18 or older. You have to be 21 to get a concealed permit however. You also can't purchase a handgun from a dealer until you are 21. However, you can purchase one from a private party or be given one as a gift as long as you are 18 or older. I'm not exactly sure what the laws are on being under 18 and carrying a handgun. I've read them before but hate to comment on them as I can't remember them 100% so don't want to give out wrong info.
OpenCarry.org is a good site that list the age you need to be in most states to open carry. Like said though it's not usually allowed to open carry during bow season. The federal law is that you have to be 21 to purchase a handgun from a FFL dealer. Some states such as VA allow you to purchase one in a private sale if you are under 21. You summed that up pretty well. As I stated in an earlier post, there are some occasions where someone under 18 is allowed to possess(not conceal) a handgun in VA. VA Code 18.2-308.7 describes these occasions. The following link to the Virginia State Police contains some pretty good info: http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms.shtm |
Originally Posted by archryhunt
(Post 3429813)
In my own opinion, there would be similarity between VA and WV.
Handling firearms would be a great responsibility, that's why it should be preferred for a mature person. |
[quote=wis_bow_huntr;3428708]I think its federal that you have to be 21 years of age to carry any handgun in anystate. Some states do not have a Concealed Carry law in place so it would have to be worn where it can be seen.quote]
Most states allow the "open carry" of a gun at the age of 18. there is a whole website committed to this right/law. opencarry . org |
I agree with natimage, get the stream spray. As far as carrying a handgun in the woods, I'll carry regardless of what any law says. I got my concealed permit mainly just to satisfy the law here in Texas but I always carried before I got my permit. I took a hunters safety course to hunt public land and asked a game warden how he would handle someone carrying a handgun during archery season. he said it depended but if the person looked to be carrying a pistol for personal protection he would have no problem with it. He said if you had a mag with a scope on it he might have a problem with it. Bottom line with me is I try to obey ALL laws, but I always (well always try to) carry a handgun in the woods whether hunting or hiking. And not for just critters, but you never know who/what you may come across.
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