Open carry has been legal in Virginia as far back as I can remember. It doesn't appear to have made any difference one way or another. I don't see that very often around here. Most times, it looks like the carrier is a young guy. I figure he hasn't got a permit or is new enough to the experience that carrying a gun it something he wants to show off...I haven't openly carried a handgun since I got out of uniformed patrol. But if others choose to, I don't care...I do favor it being legal.