Hobie wrote:I have a CHP (limited to handguns here in VA) and would never knowingly break the law.
Hobie, I live in VA too. Interesting, because you are correct about the CHP vs. CCW, but I've never made the distinction in my mind. For example, it is illegal to carry a knife of 3" or more into a school. Does that mean I take my pocket knife out when I go inside to pick up my daughters? No. Also, in VA, one is not allow to carry an automatic or "butterfly" knife. Have I? Yes.
Is that what you are trying to get at by emphasizing "the" in your reply -- that you strictly follow that particular law, but maybe not other, specific instances? Or, are you saying that you follow the
law regardless of whether or not you believe in the letter of it (vs. the spirit of it)?
FWIW, Mike, I have my CHP (and believe everyone should if you can, though it took years to come to that belief). I have carried (in the past) before I had my CHP. I would, hypothetically, carry in a state where my CHP is not recognized, although I would apply some constraints, i.e., weighing the risks of not carrying vs. discovery. Like JMiller, I don't want to lose my CHP for life if caught. Lastly, there are times where I don't carry, e.g., if I expect to go out and have a few drinks at a party. I survived 53 years, for the most part not carrying. In those party instances, I figure one more night of not carrying is no worse than those years where I didn't carry at all. I would hate to be stopped by a LEO with alcohol on my breath and a loaded weapon on me --- double jeopardy.