Two comments:

1. The Loudoun restrictions on loaded firearms do NOT apply to rimfire guns and permit holders are exempted from it altogether.

2. John C. needs to tell his friend from Florida to be careful there as they are one of the few states that don't allow open carry, except to/from/while fishing.

How can Loudoun have stricter laws? Thought Virginia passed a preemption law?

Localities can have certain gun laws IF the General Assembly gives them permission to do so. However, the restrictions above are actually state law that applies to localities with populations over a certain threshold.

Here is the state law.

§ 18.2-287.4. Carrying loaded firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a loaded (a) semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (b) shotgun with a magazine that will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered on or about his person on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public in the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Henrico, Loudoun, or Prince William.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement officers, licensed security guards, military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, or any person having a valid concealed handgun permit...

I open carry in Loudoun everywhere I travel. Never had a problem, and quite a few folks have thanked my for carrying, and exercising my 2nd Amendment right.

Virginia as a whole is a gold star state for Open carry, and its quite common here.

I find it absurd that you can only open carry in Florida while fishing.... and get this Texas ONLY has concealed carry! Its awesome that we have more rights / better gun laws than Texas! :)

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issued an opinion in April 2011 stating that the self-defensive carry of a firearm does meet the "good and sufficient reason" requirement of the law for carrying in a church. As long as you are otherwise legally allowed to carry a firearm, either openly, or concealed with a permit, carrying in a church is perfectly fine.

See the AG opinion here:

http://www.oag.state.va.us/Opinions%20and%20Legal%20Resources/Opinions/2011opns/11-043%20cole.pdf

The Sheriff of Loudoun County supports Open Carry by law abiding citizens.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/484183_384893411560748_1889817815_n.jpg

Also.. those WITH a permit can carry within the General Assembly building even though you have it listed above that you can't.

Completely agree with Philip and to enhance what Ed mentioned, we hold an open carry breakfast every Sunday in Loudoun County and periodically, open carry dinners--Loudoun Sheriff Mike Chapman, the Lt. Col., the Commonwealth Attorney, BOS and GA members as well as many deputies attend our open carry events in full support.

However, one of the best things about Virginia is the VCDL; a grassroots organization constantly watching over and fighting for our Constitutional Right to keep and bear arms.

Correct Joey.

One of the best ways for both citizens and law enforcement to learn the firearm laws in Virginia is join the Virginia Citizens Defense League ($25/year). The VCDL also has a FREE email alert system that sends out informative e-mails a few times a month on laws, changes, safety issues, training and events. Check it out at http://vcdl.org

My comments in [brackets]
- - - -
Locations where firearms may not be carried include:
Federal facilities
Federal agency lands
National Forests except where hunting is permitted
General Assembly buildings [Carry authorized for CHP holders]
Hog Island Wildlife Management Area
Virginia Commonwealth University
George Mason University
Courthouses
Detention Facilities
K-12 school grounds [(CHP holders exempted for CC while in a vehicle; handgun secured in a container or compartment in a vehicle also exempted.) (§18.2-308.1)]
K-12 school buses
Property used exclusively for K-12 school sponsored functions
Air carrier airport terminals [VA Air carrier airports are: Reagan, Charlottesvilleville, Dulles, Lynchburg, Newport News/Williamsburg, Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Shenandoah Valley]
Places of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held without good and sufficient reason [VA AG Opinion Self Defense is Reason - see http://tiny.cc/vaagchurch ]

I will soon take the course for a permit. All the "cannots and cans" will be tougher to remember then anything else.

Can you open Carry when out fishing by like the Shenandoah River and Goose Creek

Sure you can Mike.. why not?