Question for Arizona residents

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dasmi

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Saturday morning at 3 AM, my road trip to the Grand Canyon begins.
As discussed in previous threads, I'll be open carrying most of the time in Arizona. I know I cannot carry at all in the National parks. Below is the route I'll be taking. Here is the question:
Are there any areas on that route that I absolutely should not open carry, in order to avoid hassle by law enforcement? I know it is legal all over the state, but some areas obviously would have a more...hostile...reaction. Any input would be great.
overviewmap.gif
 
Oh, I should've mentioned there won't be many stops on this trip, and I'm planning on NOT stopping in Phoenix. It's going to be drive-drive-drive-drive-pee-drive-eat-pee-drive-drive-look in the giant hole in the earth-reverse direction-repeat.
 
Cool, you're going to pass within a mile and a half of my house.

Last I looked, the cactuses were in bloom. Be sure to stop and smell the flowers.

I'm familiar with your route from Flagstaff through Yuma, and don't recall any problems in that section. I can't speak to North of Flagstaff: I don't know if there is any reservation land you'll be passing through on the canyon-to-Flagstaff stretch.

As far as I know, if you're on a state or federal highway through reservation land and you stay on that road, you're ok. If you leave the road, you're now under reservation law and all bets are off. That's my understanding of it.

I've heard people claim that you'll get hassled in Phoenix for open carry, but I don't know why they claim that. I've been doing it for a year and had no problems at all. I dress for success, shower and shave, and say sir and ma'am where appropriate. My best guess is that looking like an upright citizen has a lot to do with not being bothered.

Have a great trip, and thanks for carrying openly.
 
As far as I know, if you're on a state or federal highway through reservation land and you stay on that road, you're ok. If you leave the road, you're now under reservation law and all bets are off. That's my understanding of it.
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I think I'll call the authorities in AZ to check on that.
 
I think I'll call the authorities in AZ to check on that.
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Good idea. If you will be passing through reservation land, you might also want to contact them. Legend has it that some tribal authorities give straight answers and some don't, but I don't know.

I hope someone knows if your route does cross any reservations. If not, you don't need that question answered.

I was going to mention The Arizona Gun Owners Guide, but I don't know if there's enough time for you to get it before your trip. I rely on it to help answer questions like this. Alas, my copy is at home and I'm at work.
 
Just called the Maricopa County Sheriff's Concealed Weapons Unit.
As long as I stay on the state or federal highways, I'm fine through reservation lands. By the way, I've spoken with that same woman twice, and she's been very helpful and friendly each time.
 
Check out packing.org for all the rules and layman's terms.

I wouldn't stop in Phoenix if I were you either... ;)

-Colin
 
Nothing wrong with stopping in the Phx area. Just like with any city be careful where you stop. Hasseling from LEO's are not likely to be your main concern in some areas.

Having just hiked the Grand Canyon, if you're in reasonably decent shape, I would recommend that you plan on doing at least a little hiking while you're there. The most popular trail is the Bright Angle Trail and its head is right by the main visitor's center at the South Rim. It's about a 2-3 hour hike down to Indian Gardens campground. On the way down at the 1.5 mile mark there's a water station, and at the 3 mile mark there are toilets. At Indian Garden there's plenty of big cottonwood trees for shade, and toilets (reasonably civilizied ones at that) and tap water are available along with picnic tables. If you get to the South Rim early enough in the morning (i.e. before 7AM) you can get to Indian Garden by 10 or so and then spend most of the heat of the day there relaxing or you can do some side hikes that aren't too tough. Then about 3-4PM or so start the hike back out. It'll take you 3-5 hours depending on your physical condition. With the water that's available, if you carry about 2 liters and top them up at each opportunity you'll be fine for liquids. Just make sure you also bring Gatoraide (or similar) and salty snacks to avoid getting an electrolyte imbalance problem.

If you'll have some extra time on your way home, and would like to stop and visit a fellow THR member, PM me and I'll give you me home phone number and we'll make some arrangements.
 
I was up there just last week.

On your way back drop onto 89A and go thru Sedona. Slide rock state park is nice if you want to take a dip into a cool river.

Isnt Arizona wonderful. ;)
 
It looks like you are going to go through Williams on the way between Flagstaff and the canyon, I'd suggest one way, either to or from the canyon, taking hwy 180 from Flag more directly to the canyon, that drive goes though some beautiful mountain and forest areas, up to about 8,000 ft elevation. well worth the drive through there.

I second the reccomendation of going through Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona. It's clearly marked coming out of Flagstaff going south.

Oh, and since you're going with a girl I'd add more "pee" in between the "drive" words in your description.
 
Youve got no problems on your route with firearms(except in CA).
AZ 85 is blood alley from Gila Bend to the I-40 on a friday night or sunday afternoon due to Rocky Point, Mex. vacation traffic.
Organ Pipe Nat. Mon. is kind of out of your way, and getting HOT, and is having problems due to Nat. Security.
I reccomend taking Route 101 around Phoenix.
Watch out for elk from 40 miles south of Flagstaff all the way to the G.C.
I would not swim at Slide Rock State Park due to elevated coloform bacteria counts, but I will swim upstream, and HWY 89 is awesome no mater where you drive it.
I would also reccomend making a loop from Flagstaff to the G.C. and back, 180 to 64 to 89 back to Flag, but you will be passing thru the "Big Rez" (Navajo), but I personally dont worry about carrying there.
Last but not least, if you can get to the North Rim (alot farther) it is MUCH nicer than the South Rim.
Have a good trip, and you and your car need to be prepared for the HEAT.
 
The Canyon and Sedona are terrific.

Urban-wise, or maybe urban-desert in some cases, there are communities adjacent to Phoenix that are beautiful: Paradise Valley, Carefree, Cave Creek, Scottsdale. Phoenix itself is gorgeous for a city of six million, especially in the north and east, and down around Camelback Mountain.

I saw someone open carrying in a grocery store ten miles north of Phoenix. (I don't do it). They didn't seem to have any problems. Looked a lot more comfortable than concealed carry.

I take it you're going from San Diego to the Canyon. I'd give strong consideration on the return trip going a bit north and west to Zion National Park. I actually put it on about a par with the Canyon. If you do, you can also stop at Bryce National Park for only an additional hour or two, they're so close (both in SE Utah).
 
Make sure you drink plenty of water. It doesn't matter if you never get out of the car. Drink at least a half gallon/person/day: every day you are there. Notice I said at least, I would consider that adequate for not being out in the sun or exerting yourself. If you are spending time out in the sun and doing anything physical, you got a good start on what you need. Also notice I said WATER. Not coffee, not soda, not beer: WATER.

Personally, I love to go to Phoenix. There is a whole lot of shooting related stuff there to do. Just to pick one example out of the air: You ever shot a belt fed machine gun on an indoor range ? Go to the Scottsdale Gun Club.
 
Scottsdale GUn Club is a pretty cool place. You can rent M60's, M249's, MP-5's, etc. Their prices on non-Class III at least are pretty competitive. My wife and I took the CCW class there. Overall it's a pretty nice place.
 
They also have a display case of suppressors.
The only gun store I have ever been in that had more than one or two that you could actually look at and handle. I told them that I wasn't going to be buying one but they still had one salesman stand there and answer all my questions and show me all his wares.
It is right around the corner almost from Dillon Precision.
 
From your map it appears that you will be taking Hwy 87 between I-8 and I-10. If you pass the Buckeye Hills Recreation area at mile marker 144 (about 2 miles north of the prison) during the daylight hours and would like to take a break, turn west onto the dirt road and follow the signs to the shooting range. I'll be there testing our new Pro-Matic clay target throwers.........and if I'm there that means the range is open. :D For THR members only, of course. :evil:


Len in PHoenix
 
Make sure you drink plenty of water.
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Or, even if I didn't drink that much water, I generally brought that much water in case my car broke down in the Sonoran Desert at 110 degrees. Be prepared.
 
If you didn't drink it, it won't be doing you any good.
Dehydration isn't something you are going to fix in a minute or two: once you realize you are in trouble.
This is one of those issues where you can lead a horse to water................
I work as a paramedic in Las Vegas. At this time of the year, I spend considerable time every day with tourists who's vacation is ruined because they didn't drink enough water.
But, what do I know ?
 
Carry

I've skimmed over some of the responses, but when you spoke to the sherriff's dept, did they say anything about places that serve alcohol and your firearm? To my knowlege we still have a restriction on firearms in places that serve alcohol, not just bars but restaurants, Pizza places that serve beer etc. :cuss:
 
They didn't mention that, but I am aware of the restriction. I'll leave it in the trunk if the we eat anywhere that serves alcohol.
 
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