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Open carry (handgun) in VA - interested in opinions on my current situation

(I don't want this to evolve into a debate on 2nd amendment rights - the law seems to be clear - no special permit is required for open carry of a handgun in VA)

Neighbor's adult son moved back home with gf and five year old. The son (late 20s, leans toward conspiracy theorist, no law enforcement or military background) carries a handgun whenever he's outside his house. He doesn't have a "regular" job, his mom says he works out of the basement on some web site that strives for truth against fake news.

Seeing him outside with gun when cul-de-sac has a number of kids playing makes me a little skittish. I know other parents feel the same way. My five year old has become friends with his five year old, but we don't allow our daughter to go into their house b/c we have no idea what he's doing with his guns inside. I'm guessing there's more than one.

Is it reasonable for me to ask him about it and mention this to him? I'd want to ask him directly, even though I'm closer with his parents. I figure he's an adult, and if I have an concern, there's no reason to stick his parents in the middle of it. My getting shot during this discussion is not a concern at all.

On the Fourth, the street has a little fireworks display with Costco box, and everyone gathers in a driveway while people set them off. there's usually 15-20 kids there. This year was the first time he was back, and he walked out with his gun. His mother quickly went over to him, and to his credit, he went back inside and came back with no gun. Clearly his parents are aware of the way others may feel about his open carrying, at least in a group with lots of kids.

Other than seeing the guy outside, when we just wave to each other, I have no relationship with him. In the 8 months he's lived there, we've spoken for under five minutes, total. I see his gf even less than him. I would be bummed if this hurt my relationship with his parents, as we've become friendly and actually spend time together. I really don't care what gun-guy thinks of me, but would just prefer that he not carry his gun around when kids are playing in the street.

Thoughts? Suggestions other than the standard h&b ?

Posted: 08/15/2018 at 09:09AM

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Current Thread:

Open carry (handgun) in VA - interested in opinions on my current situation -- dans93 08/15/2018 09:09AM

Very Late to this Conversation ... but -- vtdadingf 08/16/2018 10:12AM

Your kid playing with his kid is the game changer -- HokiesBill48 08/15/2018 3:36PM

Yes, no matter how pro or anti gun you are, proper safe handling -- Tafkam Hokie 08/15/2018 5:06PM

And btw, kids are kids and will handle a firearm if they find one -- HokiesBill48 08/15/2018 3:46PM

Can I ask where in Virginia? ** -- Brown Water 08/15/2018 1:57PM

Fairfax county -- dans93 08/15/2018 3:15PM

Well you could, but he might shoot your eye out... ** -- JoesterVT 08/15/2018 2:15PM

Buy and carry a bigger gun! -- `lag 08/15/2018 12:29PM

I would at least engage in a conversation with him. -- HokieSignGuy 08/15/2018 12:21PM

Do you ask every kids parents that your kid plays with how they store -- fordham 08/15/2018 12:36PM

Even if you do to your own kid, do you trust the others? ** -- NokieHokie 08/15/2018 8:37PM

I know parents who do. -- Tafkam Hokie 08/15/2018 2:58PM

We'd probably ask what he's carrying and compare. ** -- Major Kong 08/15/2018 11:43AM

Would it make you feel better if he carried and you couldn't see it? -- Naelbis 08/15/2018 11:11AM

It would make me feel better if he wasn't an adult conspiracy -- Brown Water 08/15/2018 12:02PM

I'd bet money that he goes places trying to get a reaction from business -- reestuart 08/15/2018 1:04PM

"Am I being detained?!? Am I free to go?!?" ** -- Gobbler-100 08/15/2018 1:35PM

Neither of which has any bearing on how he handles firearms, how juvenile. ** -- Naelbis 08/15/2018 12:21PM

Maybe his issue is with increased opportunity for something to go "wrong" -- typed by ben 08/16/2018 06:48AM

Says you ** -- Brown Water 08/15/2018 12:40PM

That wouldn't bother me nearly as much. Having it out in the open -- reestuart 08/15/2018 11:27AM

I worry about the kid's curiosity being piqued. Then they go looking. ** -- GFallsFan 08/15/2018 11:57AM

That's part of the reason I've taught my kids about firearms -- Tafkam Hokie 08/15/2018 3:03PM

Yep. My son would be all over that. ** -- reestuart 08/15/2018 1:02PM

You should absolutely feel comfortable asking him about it. He's free to -- ModerateHokie 08/15/2018 11:07AM

It wouldn't bother me in the least. Had some friends who used to come over -- Hokie CPA 08/15/2018 11:02AM

Carrying a gun on your hip in the neighborhood seems extreme to me. -- Coach McGuirk 08/15/2018 10:50AM

I watch westerns all afternoon. Getting used to everyone carrying open. ** -- TomTurkey 08/15/2018 11:57AM

I once was out in my backyard with my 2 kids, 3 and 4 years old, -- GFallsFan 08/15/2018 11:14AM

Is it legal to do so where you live? -- Nova Hokie 95 08/15/2018 11:51AM

Poseidon style beard and clothing? -- TomTurkey 08/15/2018 10:55AM

I think it's reasonable to have a conversation with him and the parents. -- GFallsFan 08/15/2018 10:36AM

Absolutely- I would offer that you are NOT doing your job as a parent -- WestEndHokie39 08/15/2018 10:55AM

Honestly though, the open carry crowd is usually very responsible -- JoesterVT 08/15/2018 10:44AM

Good reason to ask. Anyone can "assume" they;'re safe. ** -- 48zip 08/15/2018 10:55AM

To you maybe. I have left restaurants after seeing guns being carried -- TheNuke 08/15/2018 2:26PM

Huh? I was talking about asking if the weapons at home are secured.Not sure -- 48zip 08/15/2018 7:02PM

I was just commenting that if I am around a person, other than a cop, with -- TheNuke 08/15/2018 9:58PM

That is unfortunate as you are actually safer with someone there -- fordham 08/15/2018 3:02PM

I do not get the concern, he is not threatening anyone. -- fordham 08/15/2018 10:05AM

Do you know why he carries all the time? -- dans93 08/15/2018 10:22AM

Think of it this way... -- JoesterVT 08/15/2018 10:37AM

Exactly -- Nova Hokie 95 08/15/2018 10:42AM

I agree with you that a person, who open carries, is probably going to be 1 -- VTHokie2000 08/15/2018 11:15AM

But will they "spray" a crowd where they know someone is armed over... -- EDGEMAN 08/15/2018 12:12PM

I am not sure I would automatically lean that way -- VTHokie2000 08/15/2018 12:32PM

If he wants a specific business or group of people... -- EDGEMAN 08/15/2018 2:02PM

Why does it matter? He is not doing anything wrong is the point -- fordham 08/15/2018 10:31AM

Clearly the govt will attack him when he's around kids. Knowing that, he -- NokieHokie 08/15/2018 10:01AM

It's been 30 minutes-SHUN! and teill him.... -- TD-Tech 08/15/2018 09:44AM

I think asking about the status of the guns in their house is perfectly -- HokieNoVA 08/15/2018 09:43AM

So the guy lives in mom's basement, works on a conspiracy theory website, -- DJ Golf 08/15/2018 09:41AM

Seriously haha. I would probably just move. -- Gobbler-100 08/15/2018 1:41PM

Yep. This would bug me a bunch. Who the heck is saying he's a responsible -- reestuart 08/15/2018 11:23AM

Add to the list -- failed relationship with mother of 5-year old. -- HWA 08/15/2018 10:49AM

GF is mother, so maybe one less box? ** -- dans93 08/15/2018 10:51AM

Ah. So the child isn't his, he's just dating the gf/mother? -- HWA 08/15/2018 12:00PM

Sorry for confusion - it's his and his live-in gf's kid. ** -- dans93 08/15/2018 12:21PM

Probably nothing ** -- WestEndHokie39 08/15/2018 09:52AM

But but he is “responsible”... until he’s not, that is ** -- HokiesRespect 08/15/2018 09:47AM

The "rub" ** -- TomTurkey 08/15/2018 10:28AM

Sit down with him and chat, adult to adult. -- 48zip 08/15/2018 09:38AM

Have you ever observed him handle the weapon irresponsibly? -- Tafkam Hokie 08/15/2018 09:23AM

Why would he handle it at all? I would wonder about a guy that -- 81_Hokie 08/15/2018 10:02AM

And he probably does not have the safey cap on the tide pods -- fordham 08/15/2018 10:07AM

Have you met dans93? ** -- 48zip 08/15/2018 10:04AM

I've never seen him remove it from his holster -- dans93 08/15/2018 09:35AM

Paranoid responsible gun owner? how does that work? ** -- 81_Hokie 08/15/2018 10:05AM

Open carry (handgun) in VA - interested in opinions on my current situation

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