Concealing a rifle in North Carolina?

10mmlover

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So I took the 8 hour concealed handgun course yesterday and the instructor was stressing that in North Carolina it's a CCH permit, so you can only conceal handguns and no other weapons, even pepper spray. I asked a question (which I think the instructor may have misunderstood my intent on) about concealed rifles.

My hypothetical was: I put my rifle in a rifle bag (or large backpack) and exit my apartment. I then walk down the public street several blocks to the range. Independent of having a CCH permit, is this considered illegal concealing of a weapon other than a handgun? He responded that anything other than a handgun needs to be openly carried if you're in public.

I'm a recent transplant, but in NY, I used rifle bags as a means of transporting them and so did everyone else. Nobody openly carried long guns on the street as a means of transporting them to the range etc. What have been your experiences?
 
My experience: rifle bag or case = ok.
Because the law is so vague on the meaning of "concealed" you're going to get 2 opinions for every reply to this thread.
I'm not aware of anyone ever getting hassled in NC for having a cased rifle.

But open carry of a rifle could get you SWATted, especially down your way. For your own safety I do not recommend it.
 
The concealed carry of a firearm is driven by intent then type.

If you are intending to go to a location, range, hunting land, friends house. the status is unloaded with ammo and or mag's stowed in pockets of a case or bag ready for safe transport.

That is not a issue. Be it in a vehicle or sidewalk.

If one has a firearm in a ready to use configuration and the firearm is openly displayed within the context of a non-restricting environment. No issue.

If the firearm is in a ready to use configuration, concealed from the public, to fall in the no issue group, you need the state permit and the firearm needs to be a handgun ONLY within the context of a non-restricting environment.
 
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There's nothing about "intent" in the statutes.

Whether a cop will bust you for it is another story, and that's the wiggle room that exists in the enforcement of any law.

Would I carry a rifle in a case openly? Sure. If I'm feeling paranoid (also known as "prepared") if I have rifles in a case in my truck back seat, I attach a firearms lock through the latch to make sure they're not interpreted as "easily accessible".
 
There's nothing about "intent" in the statutes.

Whether a cop will bust you for it is another story, and that's the wiggle room that exists in the enforcement of any law.

Would I carry a rifle in a case openly? Sure. If I'm feeling paranoid (also known as "prepared") if I have rifles in a case in my truck back seat, I attach a firearms lock through the latch to make sure they're not interpreted as "easily accessible".

"easily accessible" = interpretation of your intentions. ;)

John
 
So I took the 8 hour concealed handgun course yesterday and the instructor was stressing that in North Carolina it's a CCH permit, so you can only conceal handguns and no other weapons, even pepper spray. I asked a question (which I think the instructor may have misunderstood my intent on) about concealed rifles.

Clearly spelled out on mine "NORTH CAROLINA CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT" (yes, in uppercase), not ccp, cch, cwp, etc.

Seems pretty self-explanatory.
 
In South Carolina mine says Concealed Weapons Permit. The only weapon you can conceal is a handgun....go figure. I'll be heading to the range on my bike soon and I'll have my 300blk PISTOL and my keltech su16 RIFLE in a back pack on my back. I'm calling it a case that is in my trunk. Cops stops em I'll tell him to check out the junk in my trunk.
 
I once carried a flintlock rifle through the crowded lobby of a hotel in Cary... every pair of eyes was on me at one point or another! No one said a word.
Did you check your zipper? o_O
 
"easily accessible" = interpretation of your intentions. ;)

I gently disagree: as far as the statute as such is concerned, accessibility is related to capability, not intention. Same thing in the military: one prepares against capabilities, not intentions.

Pragmatically, of course, one is more immediately concerned with capabilities of those whose intentions might be hostile, but in the regulatory sense of the statute, I submit that accessibility is directed at capability only, not concerned with intent. Now, on the spot with a LEO, perhaps some of both.
 
When I travel, I generally carry my rifle case and my equipment bag into the lobby of the hotel. I’m not leaving them in my vehicle over night. I’ve had a few funny looks but never a word said.
 
I gently disagree: as far as the statute as such is concerned, accessibility is related to capability, not intention. Same thing in the military: one prepares against capabilities, not intentions.

Pragmatically, of course, one is more immediately concerned with capabilities of those whose intentions might be hostile, but in the regulatory sense of the statute, I submit that accessibility is directed at capability only, not concerned with intent. Now, on the spot with a LEO, perhaps some of both.

True,

As to the context of the question asked, how i wrote my post is based on my years of teaching this idea to students. My Alumni do not walk away with the question that @10mmlover did after his cch class....

The law and enforcement of it, are not the same thing. As you and @JohnFreeman point out.

My filter of intent as presented in this post filters out the long conversation with law enforcement if ever detained by them while transporting a firearm. fyi
 
I once carried a flintlock rifle through the crowded lobby of a hotel in Cary... every pair of eyes was on me at one point or another! No one said a word.

Before smart phones? Do that same thing now and I would imagine 50% would be glued to their phones just like when they're driving.
 
I've been stopped at a license check with a dozen long guns in the front seat and no one said a word. But it was a rural county and no one really cares.
 
Since nobody thought posting that actual law would be relevant, I figured I would take the opportunity to do so. https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_14/Article_35.pdf

14-269. Carrying concealed weapons.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person willfully and intentionally to carry concealed about his or her person any bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slung shot, loaded cane, metallic knuckles, razor, shuriken, stun gun, or other deadly weapon of like kind, except when the person is on the person's own premises.

(a1) It shall be unlawful for any person willfully and intentionally to carry concealed about his or her person any pistol or gun except in the following circumstances:

(1) The person is on the person's own premises.

(2) The deadly weapon is a handgun, the person has a concealed handgun permit issued in accordance with Article 54B of this Chapter or considered valid under G.S. 14-415.24, and the person is carrying the concealed handgun in accordance with the scope of the concealed handgun permit as set out in G.S. 14-415.11(c).

(3) The deadly weapon is a handgun and the person is a military permittee as defined under G.S. 14-415.10(2a) who provides to the law enforcement officer proof of deployment as required under G.S. 14-415.11(a).

(a2) This prohibition does not apply to a person who has a concealed handgun permit issued in accordance with Article 54B of this Chapter, has a concealed handgun permit considered valid under G.S. 14-415.24, or is exempt from obtaining a permit pursuant to G.S. 14-415.25, provided the weapon is a handgun, is in a closed compartment or container within the person's locked vehicle, and the vehicle is in a parking area that is owned or leased by State government. A person may unlock the vehicle to enter or exit the vehicle, provided the handgun remains in the closed compartment at all times and the vehicle is locked immediately following the entrance or exit.

(b) This prohibition shall not apply to the following persons:

[removed for brevity, but this is a list of special "more equal" citizens who don't have to have a CHP]

(b1) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that:

(1) The weapon was not a firearm;

(2) The defendant was engaged in, or on the way to or from, an activity in which the defendant legitimately used the weapon;

(3) The defendant possessed the weapon for that legitimate use; and

(4) The defendant did not use or attempt to use the weapon for an illegal purpose.


The burden of proving this defense is on the defendant.

(b2) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that:

(1) The deadly weapon is a handgun;

(2) The defendant is a military permittee as defined under G.S. 14-415.10(2a); and

(3) The defendant provides to the court proof of deployment as defined under G.S. 14-415.10(3a).

The section I put in bold is the relevant portion about transporting long guns. The legal grey area comes into play with what could be considered "on or about" your person. The NC AG guideline [which is not the law and is several years old at this point] says that they are interpreting this based on whether it is "readily accessible".
 
Since nobody thought posting that actual law would be relevant, I figured I would take the opportunity to do so. https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_14/Article_35.pdf



The section I put in bold is the relevant portion about transporting long guns. The legal grey area comes into play with what could be considered "on or about" your person. The NC AG guideline [which is not the law and is several years old at this point] says that they are interpreting this based on whether it is "readily accessible".

The shuriken part still gets me..... like those things ever stuck in anything!
 
When I travel, I generally carry my rifle case and my equipment bag into the lobby of the hotel. I’m not leaving them in my vehicle over night. I’ve had a few funny looks but never a word said.
I took all my gear into the hotel on the large luggage cart, two women at the entrance smoking, gave me a funny look,
said good evening ladies. Waited about a half hour to hit the shower just in case somebody called 911 on me. ;)

IMG_20181012_221444 (Medium).jpg
 
Before smart phones? Do that same thing now and I would imagine 50% would be glued to their phones just like when they're driving.
This was only about 5 yrs ago... you're right, all of 'em would likely never see a thang!

I've been stopped at a license check with a dozen long guns in the front seat and no one said a word. But it was a rural county and no one really cares.
I was pulled over along with the entyre Eastbound half of I-10, in Arizona, for a Border Patrol Checkopoint. I had an AK on the B-post, inches away from the young BP cop while he leaned on my window. He never saw a thang!
 
I have a few band instrument stickers on my main travel gun case. I've seen it put a few minds at ease at the airport check-in and in hotel lobbies. No one has ever questioned me but if they do I will LIE and tell them it is a saxophone that belonged to a dead relative and I'm taking it back home to the family. :D
 
I took all my gear into the hotel on the large luggage cart, two women at the entrance smoking, gave me a funny look,
said good evening ladies. Waited about a half hour to hit the shower just in case somebody called 911 on me. ;)

View attachment 143762
When I travel, I carry my AR9 with suppressor, G21, G43 w/5 mags, my Ruger Mk IV and suppressor and 5 mags, belt with mag pouches for rifle and pistol, body armor with mag pouches for rifle and pistol, Kevlar helmet, Gloves, flashlight, NVGs w/ extra batteries, a bag full of extra mags and ammo, and 2 sets of Walker Razors hearing muffs. Sometimes i'll even throw in my .300 BO bolt gun and suppressor or my AR pistol. You just never know what you're going to run into anymore! This weekend proves that! It's the first thing loaded and my wife has given up on asking me why we have to take all that stuff! My family and I are going to get home, one way or another!
 
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Not to hijack....when I took my wife and two daughters to Disney in 2014, I packed my M&P 9 and Beretta Nano in Alien Gear holsters,
had them in the front glove box for the drive, told my wife and daugher (on way to CLT to get our second daughter then to FL),
both freaked out, wife said can we go home so you can put it away, daughter said 'YOU CAN'T DO THIS IT IS ILLEGAL'!!!
Wife knows I have my CHP and I told both of them I am with three young ladies and I have to protect you and if necessary you have
to protect me. Wife realized this and both calmed down and we proceeded on the trip without any problems.
 
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does anyone know if you dismantle a handgun where it cant be fired without other half, be mailed in seperate boxes be mailed using USPS ?
I believe the serial numbered part is considered the firearm so the answer would be no.
The Pistol handgun frame or the firearm receiver counts as a complete firearm.
Usually but, not always it's the main serial numbered part.
 
Not to hijack....when I took my wife and two daughters to Disney in 2014, I packed my M&P 9 and Beretta Nano in Alien Gear holsters,
had them in the front glove box for the drive, told my wife and daugher (on way to CLT to get our second daughter then to FL),
both freaked out, wife said can we go home so you can put it away, daughter said 'YOU CAN'T DO THIS IT IS ILLEGAL'!!!
Wife knows I have my CHP and I told both of them I am with three young ladies and I have to protect you and if necessary you have
to protect me. Wife realized this and both calmed down and we proceeded on the trip without any problems.

My wife would've had her own 9mm in her purse & my daughter automatically assumes I'm armed at all times.
 
My wife would've had her own 9mm in her purse & my daughter automatically assumes I'm armed at all times.
My wife and daughter KNOW I'm armed all the time! I'm not going to be the guy in Walmart (if I ever went to Walmart!) that says ' If I'd only have brought my gun!" when the shooting starts!
 
Took two AR’s (in a double case)slung over my shoulder on my motorcycle to the range once. Had a patrolman pull up next to me on I-95, and look me over. I nodded at him, and he gave me a smile and a thumbs up!
 
This brings up something that I saw a few years back when the gun show was in town. The site of the show is in downtown Savannah and if you have ever been to Savannah you know that there is a lot of parks downtown. In one of the parks about 4 blocks away from the show a guy had an AR on his shoulder walking around. Still had the sign stuck in the barrel "For Sale". I wonder what would happen now if he did that.
 
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