[maddy345]

Does anyone know if you can CC in Raleigh/Durham Airport if you are there to pick someone up and are NOT going through security?

 

[MadMac]

This question has bugged me as well. I posted this issue when I first joined up here at DC, and there was no definitive answer. As you are aware, they have a large "No Guns" sign at the entrance to the airport. Those of us in NC don't have the luxury of ignoring these types of signs.

I am assuming they mean on all airport property - including pick-up and drop-off areas. However, I am not sure exactly what the sign means, nor am I sure that locking it in my COM car safe is adequate. If you get pulled over on airport property, you will need to inform the LEO of your status and it will show up on the LEO's screen when he runs your license. It could be dicey if you are totin' your Roscoe in any manner.

 

[msgt/ret]

The only signs I have seen posted are at the terminal entrances, I have not seen any in the parking areas. I normally stop and disarm and secure my weapon before entering airport property and don’t rearm until off their property. I don’t like it but RDU does fall under Durham’s jurisdiction and they are their own little fiefdom where it comes to firearms.

 

[maddy345]

That is all I needed to know. So park, secure it in the vehice and re-arm when leaving.

Last time I was there I didn't see any signs at all.

 

[MadMac]

That is all I needed to know. So park, secure it in the vehice and re-arm when leaving.

Last time I was there I didn't see any signs at all.

Check for the sign after passing the new Sheetz gas station and just before you see the big 'RDU International' sign.

It's not just the terminals, but appears to apply to all airport property.

Plus, I'd be careful taking legal advice from all these internet lawyers (like me). Know the law yourself. If a LEO snags you and you end up needing to defend your interpretation of the law in court to keep your CHP, you don't have a strong case saying some random guy on the internet told you it was OK.

 

[Jetpilot007]

Although I am not 100% I would say carry a CCW on Airport property is prohibited. As a professional in the air transportation business, airport operations are governed by Federal Law. And as such, taboo to carry a CCW.

To think on the side of Conservatism and Common Sense will get you out of trouble.

 

[MadMac]

Although I am not 100% I would say carry a CCW on Airport property is prohibited. As a professional in the air transportation business, airport operations are governed by Federal Law. And as such, taboo to carry a CCW.

To think on the side of Conservatism and Common Sense will get you out of trouble.

Good point, but some states like Utah actually spell it out for you - conceald carry is legal on airport property as long as you are outside TSA secure areas. I appreciate that. RDU is dodgy, and I suspect they mean it's a mini-Chicago.

 

[Jetpilot007]

Thanks for the Utah example. I never would have known! When it comes to Federal property, one can't help but to have their guard up.

Stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

 

[chiefjason]

FWIW and IANAL bla, bla. NC recognizes that you can be armed in the vehicle in the parking lot of state and local buildings. You cannot be armed in the building and sometimes a nono to step out of the vehicle armed and stand in the parking lot. Fed property is hit or miss, parks for example allow you to unload and lock them up. How you interpret this is up to you and dependent on who actually controls the property. If it is under local or state control, the parking area anyway, then this should apply.


§ 14‑409.40. Statewide uniformity of local regulation.
(f) Nothing contained in this section prohibits municipalities or counties from application of their authority under G.S. 153A‑129, 160A‑189, 14‑269, 14‑269.2, 14‑269.3, 14‑269.4, 14‑277.2, 14‑415.11, 14‑415.23, including prohibiting the possession of firearms in public‑owned buildings, on the grounds or parking areas of those buildings, or in public parks or recreation areas, except nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a person from storing a firearm within a motor vehicle while the vehicle is on these grounds or areas. Nothing contained in this section prohibits municipalities or counties from exercising powers provided by law in declared states of emergency under Article 36A of this Chapter.


Entire code here.

GS_14-409.40

 

[TomEgun]

Ive worked at that airport as an aircraft Mechanic for 11 yrs or more stopped counting and no you cant carry its federal property big signs you cant miss coming in but do people I suppose as long as you dont get caught but why chance it ! your not driving into Durham..lol just lock it in glove box if you feel the need...

 

[Gary Slider]

I know of no airport that has commercial traffic that is owned by the federal government. They are owned by cities, counties, states, private interprises etc. Federal Law only applies at and beyond the security check points. Some states do have regulations on airports that override local laws. Some don't. Some airports are totally off limits even the parking areas depending on who owns the airport and their regulations. State Law can take preference in some states. It is a very gray area in many locals. Pittsburgh airport authority had a regulations about firearms on airport property but PA has a preemption law. A man was arrested for having a firearm in his vehicle at Pittsburgh Airport. He was charged and the judge threw it out as the state preemption law overrode it. The DA for Allegheny County stated that the Airport authority reg was unenforcable. But this guy had to most likely hire an attorney etc so use caution on any airport property unless the state laws specifically spell it out. This is one area that it very difficult to find out info about. Handgunlaw.us is trying, but getting truthful answers are very difficult to get and most don't want to even talk about airports and firearms. If you go to Handgunlaw.us and click on the state on the main page map that states page will open. If you scroll to the bottom of that state page there is the info I have found for that state. Most likely it is not all the info that should be there but that is all I can find.

 

[TedBeau]

Although I am not 100% I would say carry a CCW on Airport property is prohibited. As a professional in the air transportation business, airport operations are governed by Federal Law. And as such, taboo to carry a CCW.

To think on the side of Conservatism and Common Sense will get you out of trouble.

In Michigan it is legal to carry concealed in airport terminals up to the "Secure" or as I think the law words it "Sterile" area. In other words you can carry up to the Security check point but not beyond. Makes sense since your not going to get past the metal detector unless it's malfunctioning.

 

[glock45]

I you do not want to disarm, have the arriving party meet you at the curb.
If you are going to enter the airport, leave your gun in the car.

 

[grifft]

No you can not carry on airport property. You will be thrown in jail and never seen again.

 

[Landric]

The only signs I have seen posted are at the terminal entrances, I have not seen any in the parking areas. I normally stop and disarm and secure my weapon before entering airport property and don’t rearm until off their property. I don’t like it but RDU does fall under Durham’s jurisdiction and they are their own little fiefdom where it comes to firearms.

Actually, the airport is in Wake County, and the airport its self is a municipality and they have their own police. In the event of police involvement it will be RDU PD, not Durham PD, Durham SO, Raleigh PD, Morrisville PD, Wake SO, etc. that responds unless they ask for assistance.

Given that the Airport is a municipality, they have the authority to ban firearms from their property. Since the whole airport is their property, with the possible exception of the roadways, it is likely that the signs (and all roadways going in are posted) apply to the entire property.

However, its legal to enter RDU with a firearm in checked baggage and check it, so how they apply the sign and under what circumstances is open to question. In any event I wouldn't chance carrying into an airport building unless you are exempt from state law and/or federal law for the part of the building you will be in.

 

[GunnyBunny]

Gary Slider is obviously going to be one of the most knowledgeable people on this subject.

I know that carry is prohibited on Douglas (Charlotte) airport property. Can't say for sure about Raleigh/Durham.

 

[Gary Slider]

I have searched for over an hour and can't find the Ordinances for Raleigh Durham Airport. I did find their Chapter 13 which covers Transportation at the airport but I believe they don't have the ordinances online. Other posters have stated that RD Airport is owned by the counties or cities around it. If so it would be city or county government property. The Preemption law covering firearms is below along with a link to the NC Statutes.

If RD Airport is owned by the local government they can ban firearms from all the property including the parking lots. But the preemption law specifically states they can not ban the storage of firearms in a vehicle parked on their property. Does that mean I can have it loaded while entering the airport parking lot then store it once I am parked? I would think not. It would have to be stored before entering their property.

It has been stated they have signs posted before entering the airport property saying no firearms, then carrying a firearm loaded would most likely be a violation of their ordinances. If they have signs they most likely have an ordinance.

§ 14-409.40. Statewide uniformity of local regulation. (General Law)
North Carolina General Assembly - General Statutes Table of Contents

(f) Nothing contained in this section prohibits municipalities or counties from application of their authority under G.S. 153A-129, 160A-189, 14-269, 14-269.2, 14-269.3, 14-269.4, 14-277.2, 14-415.11, 14-415.23, including prohibiting the possession of firearms in public-owned buildings, on the grounds or parking areas of those buildings, or in public parks or recreation areas, except nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a person from storing a firearm within a motor vehicle while the vehicle is on these grounds or areas. Nothing contained in this section prohibits municipalities or counties from exercising powers provided by law in declared states of emergency under Article 36A of this Chapter.

 

[Landric]

From RDU's website:

About The RDU Airport Authority
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, an eight-member board. The cities of Durham and Raleigh and the counties of Durham and Wake appoint two members each to the Authority board of directors. The Airport Authority is a governmental body responsible for the development, operation and maintenance of the airport.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport

 

[Armydad]

Having directly asked that question to RDU police I can tell you that the overall question is no. It is technically illegal to carry a firearm on any airport property. I don't think that they can bother you if you are following federal transportation guidelines for transporting a firearm (gun in lock box in trunk ammo somewhere else).

Armydad

 

[Keltyke]

My wife, who used to live in NC, says she's seen online where Durham has enacted a total ban on concealed weapons. You might want to check with the local authorities.