OC in Rowan County, NC
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Apparently while OC is legal in NC each jurisdiction can exercise a certain amount of restriction to it. I would check opencarry.org and familiarize myself with the myriad of rules.
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NC has preemption on firearms laws. Local Governments can only enact laws on their property. Most cities only enact laws for buildings or parks though. In general you can OC on any private property, ie. stores that you would be shopping in. Call city hall and check for local ordinances. I second OCDO. Any specific questions?
Statewide uniformity statute
GS_14-409.40
Statewide uniformity statute
GS_14-409.40
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4,686 Posts
As far as LEO, KNOW THE LAW!!!!!!!! Unfortunately there is no law in NC allowing OC. But there is no law making it illegal, it is legal by default. But the NC Supreme court has attached the right to OC to sec 30 of the NC Constitution, so I tell folks it is my constitutional right in NC. That's the way the NCSC sees it. So you need to know the circumstantial evidence so to speak.
Sec 30 of the NC Const allows the people to keep and bear arms.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE CONSTITUTION
State v Kerner interprets "bear arms" to mean that the state cannot restrict OC.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/wbardwel/public/nfalist/state_v_kerner.txt
Now study the GS codes, particularly the 14 criminal codes section. Find the firearms laws and know them.
North Carolina General Assembly - General Statutes Table of Contents
Check here or at the city hall for any odd local ordinances you need to know.
Municode.com |Online Library
Have a few answers for the usual questions. Are you a cop? Is that real? You can carry a gun like that? Why do you carry a gun? As much as some folks may not like it you become a 2A ambassador when you OC. It's the entire gun communities reputation on the line with the person you are talking to. Learn as much as you can about why and how you can OC.
Where can you OC. Anywhere not prohibited by law. The CC scope of permit covers most of those spots with 2 exceptions. You can OC in a bank and you can OC with alcohol in your system. I neither condone nor encourage either, that's your decision. You can OC in any store. However, the store is private property and they can ask you to leave. If you do not you will be trespassing. The no CC signs do not apply to OC, however, I refuse to spend my money at those places anyway. Most malls have a no firearms policy. Most free standing big box store do not. I would be pretty certain that Concord Mills mall has a no firearms policy, but Bass Pro is OC friendly. They sent a memo to OCDO recently.
Check out the NC section of OCDO.
North Carolina - Stories From The States - OpenCarry.org - Discussion Forum
Anything else, just ask. i did a lot of research before deciding to strap a handgun on my hip. No problems so far. I have dealt with 2 troopers and 2 local LEO while OC'ing. It was a non issue. No problems from the public either.
I grew up there. Nice place. I have never seen any citizen OC in Rowan in the 27 years I lived there. You will get attention and some will fear you not understanding. When I am in Rowan Co. I conceal because it is a tactical advantage. The BG doesn't pay me anymore attention than he does anyone else. If he sees I am carrying I will be his first target so he can get on with the crime. You may also get made fun of by again those that don't understand. They figure you are different and can't do anything about their making fun. It is not the attention one would call enjoyable. Just my belief because I want to blend in unless the SHTF.
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Find just one instance of that actually happening. It does not. Even if you found one, it would be statistically insignificant. Occasionally folks get some flak over OC, but shot for it? Most criminals are looking for an easy target, and an armed target is not an easy one. They will look elsewhere.
All the attention I have gotten has been good. Some great conversations about rights and your ability to OC in NC. I have educated quite a few folks about OC.
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There is only a size restriction. Can't OC an easily concealable pistol, under 6" IIRC.
Cary, on the other hand, does not allow OC on city property. And they have taken the hard nosed stance that the road and sidewalk is city property for their ordinance. Not sure it would hold up to the state preemption, and no one has tried that yet as far as I know. Most towns limit their ordinances to buildings and their parking lots only.
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4,686 Posts
Found it.
Sec. 11-134. Prohibition on display of small handguns.
(a) No person shall display, on any street, sidewalk, alley or other public property any handgun which is easily and ordinarily carried concealed.
(b) For purposes of this article, the term "handgun which is easily and ordinarily carried concealed" shall mean any handgun or other firearm with an overall length of less than six (6) inches; provided, however, that in the case of a handgun or firearm that does not have a handgrip, this term shall mean any such handgun or firearm with an overall length of less than eight (8) inches.
entire code here.
http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=19952&sid=33
Sec. 11-134. Prohibition on display of small handguns.
(a) No person shall display, on any street, sidewalk, alley or other public property any handgun which is easily and ordinarily carried concealed.
(b) For purposes of this article, the term "handgun which is easily and ordinarily carried concealed" shall mean any handgun or other firearm with an overall length of less than six (6) inches; provided, however, that in the case of a handgun or firearm that does not have a handgrip, this term shall mean any such handgun or firearm with an overall length of less than eight (8) inches.
entire code here.
http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=19952&sid=33
Ok... see now I'm really confused! Is it legal or not? To be honest i highly doubt I will actually open carry as I am sure it can indeed call for the wrong attention when bumping into the wrong "soccer mom" for example. I am planning on taking Concealed Carry classes sometime in the next two weeks or so and for the time being, till i recieve my permit, i simply wanna know what are my carrying options and if anybody would advise AGAINST open carry. I just wanna feel safe... nothing wrong with that. I own my glock 27 for defensive purposes, not offensive
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Chapel Hill and Cary have some goofy provisions if you are carrying on public property, ie sidewalk, road, etc. State law rules on private property though, ie stores, restaurants, etc.
And yes it is confusing, that's why I suggest you do the research and decide for yourself. Don't OC if you are not comfortable doing it. The CCP is good to have regardless, makes OC easier actually.
The key is that OC is not illegal in NC. You may get hassled by folks who don't know that. They may be LEO. I have not experienced that yet and have OC'd quite a bit.
And yes it is confusing, that's why I suggest you do the research and decide for yourself. Don't OC if you are not comfortable doing it. The CCP is good to have regardless, makes OC easier actually.
The key is that OC is not illegal in NC. You may get hassled by folks who don't know that. They may be LEO. I have not experienced that yet and have OC'd quite a bit.
As I learn about other state's CCW laws, I have found N.C. (all though I love her) is one of the most strict states to carry in. Guys in other states will discuss carrying in places that are illegal in N.C. You are asking for advice so I am sharing my thoughts. I personally never see anyone OC here. Gun on hip means LEO here. If you want to study the law and be able to argue it here more power to you. Since it is not really seen here I would guess it is so complicated to do it comfortably that people reframe. I don't think most people in N.C. will understand OC unless they assume you are a LEO. Being a resident for 48 years is where I am sharing from. Do as you like but if you are going to a party and you are the only one naked, you might not feel real relaxed for that evening.
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Do it all the time. OC'd 3 places Tue with my daughter. No problems. You'd be amazed how FEW people notice. Work too much to OC outside of my days off, except gas stations and maybe Walmart. OC as often as I can.
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