Is it illegal to carry a gun in the US?

surfinthedesert

It is not illegal to carry a gun (visible) in Arizona. Some cities may have their own laws, and you need to respect those. Certain businesses will not allow guns on their premises, and you must respect that as well. But as far as walking down the street goes, you can carry a gun as long as it's no concealed. For a fee and after completing a class, you can apply for a conceal carry permit which would then allow you to carry a gun concealed.

I don't know where the uneducated posters get the idea you need a license--there is no such thing as a gun license. A few other posters claimed you could carry a gun if you hid it (NO! A big no no).

tumbleweed1954

It's not illegal. Especially in Arizona.

crct2004

Depends on the state.

Pitt

Laws governing carrying a concealed weapon vary from state to state. I'm not familiar with the law in Arizona.

Rhythm

Arizona is an open carry state. Handguns should be holstered when not actually in use to avoid issues related to brandishing or questions regarding the concealed nature of the firearm. The law states that as long as a portion of the holster is visible, the weapon is not concealed. It is recommended that at least 2-3 inches of the holster be visible. Fanny packs designed to carry a handgun do not qualify as a holster; only permit holders may carry a weapon in a fanny pack (State v. Moerman).

An unholstered handgun carried by a non-permitee which is only partially visible is considered concealed, hence the recommendation to keep carried handguns holstered. Weapons carried in a vehicle that are not in a holster or case must be clearly visible and obvious, unless the weapon is in the trunk, glove box or a storage compartment of the vehicle (see comment under Car/Gun law summary). Weapons may be transported/carried loaded or unloaded. Open carry is generally discouraged on tribal lands (see discussion under "Places off-limits while carrying"). Other locations may be posted "no weapons" or be covered under State or Federal law (see above).

Big Al

It's not unless it's hidden(tucked in pants, in a car console, etc). The constitution gives us the right to bear arms. Ignore them, in fact, if you get a license, you can have fun by buying an assault rifle and walking down the street with it(just show the cops the license when they ask). And if you do that, if your town is ever invaded for some reason, you can be a one man militia!

Legally Blonde

It depends on local or state law. In some places you have to have a permit to carry a firearm and it is a felony in some places to carry a weapon at all, unless you're a peace officer.

David G

The legality of the personal transportation of firearms varies from state to state.

Most states (about 40 I believe) have some form of "shall issue" carry law. Shall issue meaning that if the applicant meets the criteria, the "authorities" have no discretion in the matter. A permit to carry must be issued (always for a fee).

Some states (Vermont comes to mind) continue to recognize the right of American citizens to keep and bear arms and offer no restrictions to personal transport, concealed or otherwise.

JBean B

You can own a gun all day long, but you can't conceal it on your person, or in your car unless you have a license to conceal. I'm pretty sure in New Mexico, and Arizona you can carry a gun in public on your person. Probably some left wing Lib, or a stoned Canadian tourist you ran into.

I'm pretty sure you don't have to have a license to carry a gun in Arizona. If you're not a felon, it's all good.

mhp_wizo_93_418

this varies from state to state and also there are certain cities that have some specific ordinances on the subject of guns,

SharpGuy

Depends on state law.

In Ohio it is illegal to carry a firearm concealed. It is a Felony.
It is legal to carry it concealed if you get a permit.
It is illegal to carry it into any business with a sign posted, no firearms allowed., even if you do have a permit.

I'm not sure about carrying it, unconcealed, like in a holster like the police do, where everyone can see it.

All I know if I walk down my street, with a gun in my hand (which is not concealed) and the police see me, I'll see about 20 cop cars in 30 secs flat. (catch my drift, lol?)

chuck_junior

Arizona is an open carry state, so you were legal. Do that in California and you're off to jail. All the states have different laws.

Here's a good site for general laws
http://www.handgunlaw.us/

C B

The laws vary from state to state. While you may not have violated any weapons laws in Arizona you have undoubtedly created a situation where you could be charged with various other crimes. I am admittedly unfamiliar with the the laws in Arizona. In every local there are laws which afford law enforcement a great deal of latitude in dealing with perceived threats ranging from simple breach of the peace to much more serious offenses.

If you want to carry a firearm in public contact your local police department for information on both state and local laws and the proper procedures for doing so. Regardless of what you have read on here intimidating others with a firearm is illegal.

Faeldaz M

Depends on where in the US you are. In AZ open carry is legal without a permit as long as you don't have something that disqualifies you from owning a firearm. When I was in junior high school in AZ (around 1982) I had an algebra teacher who sometimes carried a revolver in a holster in class. Maybe someone complained, but it came down that there was no rule or law against it. And it never crossed my mind that maybe he would shoot one of us. Of course now the federal laws and the widespread "zero tolerance" policies would send him to jail.

Dylan

In many states (not all) you can open carry without a permit. It's concealed carry that you almost always need a permit for.

Greg M

Depends on the state...Arizona. nope.

go4gin1994

No it's perfectly legal if you have a permit. You can even carry concealed in some States.

GG Alan Alda

You should have shot them dead. Teach them to mind their own business.

newyorkactor

In most cities it's illegal to carry a gun. In some cities, one can get a permit to carry a gun. This varies with each U.S. city. Go to the Police Department and ask the procedure.

Lana Marie

I think Arizona you are allowed to if you have a license. No other state I believe allows it. I just moved to Tucson, Arizona.......and it is normal to go out shooting in the desert or wherever.

goodtimefriend

If you have a concealed carry permit your okay.

girl.

if you have a license then it's legal. =]

vrandolph62

if you've got a permit, it's not illegal. if you don't have a permit, then yes, it's illegal. you need to allow for others' ignorance. that's the reason for most of the unrest in society these days. IGNORANCE. that word is so misused lately, and it's so unfairly judged as a negative term. i am, for example, ignorant, about how to build a nuclear bomb. i am not, however, ignorant, about how to bake a cake. ignorance is just a lack of knowledge on a particular subject. most people are ignorant of the laws governing the carrying of weapons, hence, they yell and scream at those they see carrying weapons, in fear for their own safety. we who are not ignorant of the laws have the opportunity to laugh at those who are ignorant, but that is not a christian thing to do. we shouldn't laugh, we should just pray for tolerance of the ignorance of others and that the trying time will pass with no harm to anyone involved. thanks for the points. hope this helped.

santa_isntreal

I dont think u can carry it in a store or a restuarnt but other than that, you have the right to bare arms...

evoleye

you need a license to carry.
you can't just carry it without a license, man.

cheyjm

Do you have a carry permit? Because if you don't then yeah it's slightly illegal.

April

You need a carry permit. Even then I don't think that you should carry openly. That's usually asking for trouble.

brellybar

you need to have a permit to carry a gun

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