Just wanted to throw out an observation from one who spends and has spent way too much time in Virginia. Virginia ie the holy grail of OC; from the OC.org website - OpenCarry.org was founded in 2004 by Virginia gun-rights activists John Pierce and Mike Stollenwerk and has served to ignite the "Open Carry Movement".
Keeping it brief, OC is allowed in VA. Going into ANY restaurant that serves alcohol precludes concealed carry, hence the frequent web references to taking your coat off at the door.
My point is, that in all my time in VA I've seen... wait for it... NO ONE open carrying. Not one single person other than uniformed LEOs. Yes I've heard all the blather (web postings) about OC get togethers at restaurant xyz. BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT EVEN ONCE.
I can only conclude that either it's not frequent (not many people wish to), or some of the proponents preach but don't practice. I don't know the answer, maybe a bit of both?????
I'm on the company's nickle so you can jolly well bet I'm eating out all three meals a day, yet in five years of going up there, from my point of view - no one seen to be OC'ing.
I would love to watch someone OC'ing down King Street in Alexandria. Pop into some snooty art gallery w/ a great big ole pistol on their hip for all the world to see. Or, into go into 219 for a nice dinner with it shining in the sun. Yeah right, sure you would do it.
How about the Ruth's Chris in Pentagon City (or is it Crystal City) - and walk through the neighboring mall to get there. More "Rare occurrence" is the key phrase.
Over and Out.