A question for those who open carry

[comancheflight]

If you are carrying concealed, and doing it legally and you go into a store that has a no guns sign, you are not breaking state law, at least here in Nevada. And you'll probably get away with it no problem. But if an employee notices the gun and asks you to leave, you'll be trespassing if you don't. At least that is the way I interpret it here in Nevada. Of course, concealed means concealed. If someone spots it, it's not concealed.

As I travel around I see "no gun" signs here and there on doors. I assume this applies to either open or concealed. So, it's cool unless there is a sign on the door and even then it's not against state law, it's just against the store's policy.

Of course, that does not apply to government buildings or schools where there will be no guns on the premises or within some distance of schools.

That is Indiana law also...

Also, I have no problem with open carry even though I don't. Just don't want the attention and lately have noticed open carry with guns in the small of their back. It would be very easy for someone to just walk up and take their gun from them...don't like that thought at least for me.

 

[k0ua]

Here in Missouri, a sign must be prominently displayed, but there are no charges for disobeying the sign if you are caught. Only for disobeying an owner of the property. They can ask you to leave, and if you fail to do so, they can call police. But then it is not really a gun thing so much as it is a property rights/trespass thing.

 

[Raspy]

Referring back to the OP's original question, but on a broader sense, I find it more difficult to deal with the rules in different states than the rules at different stores.

When I travel to California, Oregon or Idaho, adjacent states to Nevada, I can't carry concealed and I don't want to open carry, even if I could. We don't have reciprocity with those states. National reciprocity would be nice, but I doubt it will happen.

So the guns get unloaded and locked up before I cross the state line. Then, in my camper, I have to decide if that's my domicile and if so, how do I store it there. Can I even step out the door with it or not. Can it be concealed or loaded in the camper or not. All of this and more in each state with different rules. Then, back in Nevada, the pressure is off and it's back to normal.

Or at Tahoe, for example, if we go up for lunch, we might easily cross the state line and enter CA while just out for the day in the car. Even if we go out on a Jeep trip near here, we can easily cross into CA while out on a trail. It's not clear where the state line is in many cases and I don't want to be hassled by a ranger out in the forest.

 

[rswyan]

I was under the impression that (in Ohio anyway) if weapons aren't permitted in a retail establishment, it is to be prominently posted at the entrance to that establishment. Failure to obey the sign, if caught, would result in a misdemeanor charge and fine.

If sign is not prominently posted at the entrance, it is OK to carry.

That's all correct ... my comment was based on knowing before you go.

 

[Firemanbuck82]

When I go to the post office or a school or government building or airport I put the gun in a safe I bolted under the rear seat in my F150.

So, you make an issue if a private party chooses to restrict guns in their private business on private property, which would be their right, but you don't raise a stink at the PO, government building, airport or school, all of which are run by the government which is supposed to uphold your right to carry? I'm sure the poor barista who receives your card will change the way she does business in the future.

And just for the record, my wife occasionally carries under a CCP. Yes, I mock her gently for it because I think it's a waste of time and energy. I neither open nor conceal carry because the chances of a) having something bad go down while shopping or driving in town is statistically lower than winning the lottery and b) being able to make a positive difference in the event something does go down is also quite low unless you keep your skills honed on a regular basis. I'm a fairly good shot, but I'm sure that my skills would be diminished if someone were firing back at me. If you're hunkered down behind a register and doing the spray and pray method over the top, the chances of someone innocent getting shot are greatly increased.

The only time I've carried on a regular basis was when I was working in interior Alaska doing field work. However, after the lunacy of last weekend, I may reconsider.

 

[mopardude318]

If someone wants to open carry, it doesn't bother me in any way. While I myself would not open carry, I don't think less of a person if they choose to open carry. I'm glad to see it. Better than a gun grabbing crybaby.

 

[k0ua]

However, after the lunacy of last weekend, I may reconsider.

Why? Why would you reconsider after last weekend? That doesn't make any sense to me. You are a person that believes that nothing bad will ever happen to. So what event of last weekend would make you think any different? Last weekend's events could have easily been avoided by not going to the protest on either side. There is absolutely no reason to ever go to a riot or protest if you want to avoid trouble. By definition your are causing trouble with either.

By the way you site statistics about winning the lottery etc. Well I have never won the lottery, but I have needed a firearm a time or two. And I know plenty of people who bad things happened to. As a former LEO, I saw them every day. Many would have been saved if they had some means to defend themselves. I personally think you statistics are in error. But you are free to enjoy and believe in them.

 

[kcflhrc]

Here in Kansas we can open or conceal carry without a CCW. I don't carry often and when I do it's just in my vehicle. My brother has a Sneaky Pete Holster for his 9mm that looks very much like a cell phone case. I suppose if anything ever happened where I wish I would have had my gun then I would probably start carrying a lot more often. But for now, it pretty much stays at home. Rural Kansas isn't a hot spot for crime.

 

[Raspy]

It's hard to argue that the events of last week affected me personally in a physical way. And I had no intention of getting involved. But, there is a rising unrest and intolerance building in this country. Riots don't always happen way over there, and at some point could be in my back yard, in front of my store, etc. There is no telling how big this problem is going to get and it has roots that go back to WW2 and the beginning of this country. Far too many people are all wrapped up in hate and just looking for a way to go farther without repercussions.

Just look at some of the comments in this very thread that show the extreme intolerance for other views and the willingness to label imagined people with the worst and degrading names. There is a lot of hate bubbling right below the surface and being anonymous on line gives certain keyboard jockeys an outlet to spew more of it.

It appears to me that our society is breaking down and doing so at a much faster rate lately. Until people pull back on the reins a bit, we're going to see more and more acceleration of hate and violence. The old tired "your either with me or agin me", black and white rules, just don't work. The hatred of anything other than what we're used to is the cause of so much trouble. That simple minded group has more permission to act out now than ever before.

I'm all for gun rights, but I don't see it as a bullying endeavor or a smart ***, in your face "because I can!, screw you! tactic either. Those attitudes are the problem and one of the reasons there is polarization around guns.

Everyone needs the ability to defend themselves affectively when being threatened. I'm all for it. But nobody needs to have some jackass flaunting guns and acting like he's some kind of patriot, when he's actually just a bully. And hopefully, the rioting won't be on one of our doorsteps, or pop up when we're out minding our own business. When and if it does, reasoning with a jacked up idiot isn't going to solve anything. It also happens that there are a lot of unstable people out there and they can be found in the most unfortunate settings where you are on your own to protect your, and your family's safety.

At those times it doesn't matter where you carry it, it only matters that you can get to it and know how to use it. It also matters that you know when to use it and when not to. Forget the bluster. Forget trying to make a point to some innocent someone who isn't even challenging you. Forget trying to categorize someone you don't know, who you imagine is afraid of guns in general, with derogatory terms designed to show how tough you are. Use your gun for it's intended purpose: to save yourself, your family, or others from harm, not as a political battering ram or ego prop.

 

[JRobyn]

Regarding "prominent posting", a large part of our TN-required HCP (handgun carry permit) class was taught by our local District Attorney (great guy). He spent a LOT of time on prohibition of carry by private businesses. He even had photographs of several of the "prohibited" signs from local businesses, some of which were hilariously in violation of the state laws regarding exactly how the postings are to be done. He made it pretty clear that discreet, responsible, concealed carry in those establishments was up to the discretion of the individual, and that he would only prosecute the resulting Class B misdemeanor in the case of somehow egregiously violating the prohibition. And added that "if you're properly carrying concealed, who would ever know?"

Title 39 Criminal Offenses
Chapter 17 Offenses Against Public Health, Safety and Welfare
Part 13 Weapons

Tenn. Code Ann. ง 39-17-1359 (2017)

39-17-1359. Prohibition at certain meeting -- Posted notice -- Handgun carry permit holder.

(c) (1) It is an offense to possess a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted in accordance with this section.

(2) Possession of a weapon on posted property in violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine only of five hundred dollars ($500).

p.s. - Sorry, I'm STILL not in the open carry groove....