Dawn Nelson wrote:
Thanks for all of the info. Now let's see if I understand it. Currently, without a CCW, I can:
- open carry my loaded gun on me in the Lake Mead area (though, I know there are certain "loaded weapon banned" zones), on Mt. Charleston, in Red Rock, in the Mojave Preserve, and on BLM lands in Nevada and California
- open carry, or concealed carry my loaded gun in my car in Nevada
- not carry a loaded gun in my car, open or concealed, in California
- not carry a loaded gun, open or concealed, in my car or on me, in North Las Vegas, or Boulder City
Is that right?
One more question. Looking around for rules on the net, I thought I discovered that the California regulation for guns in cars is even more strict. I read that, not only must a gun be unloaded while in a car, and away from the ammunition, but the gun must be in a locked container, which can't be the glove box. True?
Well, you have a better than average take on it. Let me hit a note or two:
#1. Ignorance of the law is no valid defense. This note is not aimed at you, just a general reference.
Note to Brad: almost everything you mentioned is thought as illegal in CA, even off road and in the "wilderness" (depends really on who you are and how well your attorney speaks). In the good ole days, Rangers and whatnot were more inclined to overlook some "details" and give a speech when sending someone on their way. These days, however, some of your more gung ho types are in the green trucks and not willing to let a "mistake" slide. Some of them would love to get you with "loaded" and "concealed" weapon, which is at least two separate misdemeanors.
2. You cannot open carry loaded handguns in federal parks. However, you can carry CCW with a permit AS LONG AS the permit is recognized in the State wherein you are carrying (this was recently allowed in 2/2010; be on the lookout for possible future changes).
3. You cannot carry a LOADED handgun in CA unless you have a CA CCW (good luck, CA residents!). Yes, a handgun must be in a locked container separated from the ammo (ammo must be out of magazine or it is still considered loaded). If you plan on going through the Mojave reserve (which is great during cooler weather), then you should take your shotgun but keep it empty (no rounds whatsoever!). The trail is viewed as a road, which means you are transporting it via federal and State guidelines:
http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/hunting.htmhttp://ag.ca.gov/firearms/Remember, no pistol mags may be capable of containing more than 10 rounds in CA (another reason to leave the handgun home). CA does have firearm laws which treat a campsite as your home, but that should only be tested with a loaded long arm rather than a handgun since Kali is really super duper anti-handgun. As far as that goes, I'd still leave one out of the chamber at the campsite until the bear attacks the dogs or the tent
Side note: if you modified your shotgun, then please look at the CA gun laws again, especially the part about pistol grips, just to make sure it is legal there.
4. NV CCW is easy (for non-felons).
5. I've had the chance to speak with CCW instructors at American Shooters, Gun Store, and a couple of independents. I would not trust any of them 100%. However, I'd rate the Gun Store instructors over Shooters, in terms of legal information provided. Independents are a wild card. Be careful about instructors who have a very broad interpretation of laws. There are some wannabe LE and lawyers among the ranks and even some of those who have taught for several years can't read the law correctly. Now, keep in mind that five lawyers will read one law five different ways, so that's how that goes!!
6. As someone else mentioned, although you can carry an "open" loaded handgun in most places in NV, it is not advisable in populated areas (the strip, downtown Reno) because some people get skittish around others who are armed and they may call 911. In those cases, the dispatcher will probably say something like, "Man or woman seen with gun at ----------." Da popo don't like to roll up on those calls without having pistolas drawn and asking a bunch of questions following their command to get on the ground, which is hot during summer. As an fyi, disturbing the peace is a very broad law and a misdemeanor by the way.
7. Don't take a knife to a gun fight. Or, perhaps, a BB gun to any fight.
8. If you're in a Mexican stand-off, be the first one to shoot. Aim center mass. Practice often, for a good clean shot. If you're in more than one Mexican stand-off, then you need to (a) find new friends, (b) find different habits, or (c) get the hell out of Mexico.
9. While hunting legally, you may carry a loaded rifle/shotgun when harvesting game, except when on a means of transport (car, truck, atv, etc). Carry safely and follow the 10 commandments.
10. NV State law - loaded weapon is a round in the chamber (watch out for the pesky NLV/BC municipal codes); CA - if it's in the mag, then it is considered loaded.
11. Some people have a "better judged by 12 than carried by 6" code. Some of those people think it is okay to break the law because felons do not follow the law. Well, there was a CCW carrier recently arrested for carrying in a school parking lot. If convicted, he will have a criminal record and barred from carrying CCW for a weapon violation. Bottom line: own firearms responsibly and CCW legally.