One in the chamber

I've never heard of anyone asking this before. If you're legally allowed to carry a handgun then you're good to go with one in the chamber. To do otherwise wouldn't be very smart.

I would say if you have to ask the question you likely cannot.

Me too, never heard this asked before.

The debate of empty chamber carry has been made many times, but not the legal question as described by the OP.

Many malfunctions occur when you chamber a round. I carry with one in the chamber.

Aside from some very odd circumstances (previously open carry in California), if you're legally allowed to carry, you're allowed to carry in the chamber.
Frankly, I think it's a bad idea not to. Less time to bring it to bear, less to go wrong.

I would be shocked if there was a single law anywhere in this country that permitted concealed carry with empty chamber only.

Abosse said:

I'm new to carrying a concealed handgun. I have a Ruger SR9c. I've been looking for an answer to the age old question "Is it legal to carry a concealed weapon with a round in the chamber?" I can only find people's thoughts regarding this issue and I would like to know what the law states. More specifically in Connecticut if possible.

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Contact a law enforcement agency in your area. They would probably be the definitive source.

its a common myth, and here in Washington, i have told many people this is not the case. No one so far seems to have heard this, so maybe its a west coast thing, but it is a persistent opinion. OP, don't feel like its a stupid question. Most people who ask this are in their 50's or older, so maybe there was once a law. Or maybe it stems from the old single action load 5 and leave on empty. But at least here, open carry unlicensed (yes people do it in the cities, people rarely get upset) and concealed with a licenses does not specify not to load.

Abosse said:

... I've been looking for an answer to the age old question "Is it legal to carry a concealed weapon with a round in the chamber?" ...

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First time I have ever heard that "age old question" ... and I started carrying a long time ago.

That said, if any state would come up with such a moronic restriction, it would be one like Connecticut.

Google the gun laws of your state.

Don't even rely on the word of a LEO. I have met too many officers who didn't know the law and, too, I have met several people who have told me that "the police don't like it if you have a round in the chamber." What they might like is not necessarily the law.

http://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/law/firearms.htm
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/ACT/pa/pdf/2013PA-00003-R00SB-01160-PA.pdf
http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/connecticut.pdf
https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-gun-laws/connecticut/

excuse me good sir, please cease your violent attack on my person while i operate the loading mechanism of my sidearm.


i am familiar with no concealed carry law, in any of the US 50 states, that prohibits a chambered round.

In California the law allowed carry of an EMPTY pistol, only. You could carry a loaded magazine with the gun, but not loaded into the gun.

If you're not sure, contact an attorney in your area. It'll be much cheaper to pay them to confirm this for you than defend you if your assumptions are wrong. As knowledgable as THR members are, do not rely on legal advice you receive on an internet forum.

Does Connecticut require any training such as a classroom session before issuing a permit? If yes, did they give you a student handbook? Can you call your instructor?

I'm not putting the OP down but to me this question proves that some classroom instruction on the applicable laws in your state should be mandatory before issuing a permit. I just doned my asbestos suit and helmet so flame on!

In New Hampshire, if you do not have a concealed carry permit, you cannot have a loaded magazine in the gun or a round in the chamber. You can however, still carry the empty gun concealed and have loaded magazines on your person ready to go all without a CC permit.

For open carry, you need no permit and can have a firearm fully loaded.

NH is the only state I know of that allows unloaded concealed carry with loaded mags at the ready without a permit.

Vern Humphrey said:

In California the law allowed carry of an EMPTY pistol, only. You could carry a loaded magazine with the gun, but not loaded into the gun.

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I notice your statement is in the past tense. Do I correctly infer this is no longer the law in CA? Was that for open carry or concealed?

It was for open carry, which is no longer legal in California.

I would have thought that would have been well covered in the Connecticut course of study? Regardless, I suggest you consult your Connecticut state and local laws to see what applies.

Really not a common question.

Ron

I would say if you have to ask the question you likely cannot.

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What does that even mean? "Likely?" Seeing as none of us has ever heard of such a law in all 50 states for concealed weapons, how could it be "likely?"

As they say, give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish ... (well...he'll be broke and lazy, but probably happy, and will smell like bait all the time).

See here, for yourself, what the law is: http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/connecticut.pdf

I've never heard of such a law. But many choose to carry in condition 2, without a loaded chamber. It is standard procedure for most in the military around the world including some elite units. It is simply not that big of a deal either way you choose to carry.

Here in Utah, a semiauto with no round in the chamber is considered a "firearm containing ammunition", and is not legally loaded.

A semiauto with a round in the chamber is legally "loaded".

A permit is required to carry a concealed, loaded firearm.

Check the NRA-ILA site. They have a credible summary of each state's gun laws.

Abosse-

Sorry, I did not notice, this was your first post and must be first thread.

Welcome to THR!

Swanee

BTW - there are no such things as "stupid" questions. Ask anything.

I am not aware of any state where carrying a round in the chamber is illegal.

In California the law allowed carry of an EMPTY pistol, only. You could carry a loaded magazine with the gun, but not loaded into the gun.

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(now obsolete law)

Here in Utah, a semiauto with no round in the chamber is considered a "firearm containing ammunition", and is not legally loaded.

A semiauto with a round in the chamber is legally "loaded".

A permit is required to carry a concealed, loaded firearm

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In New Hampshire, if you do not have a concealed carry permit, you cannot have a loaded magazine in the gun or a round in the chamber. You can however, still carry the empty gun concealed and have loaded magazines on your person ready to go all without a CC permit.

For open carry, you need no permit and can have a firearm fully loaded.

NH is the only state I know of that allows unloaded concealed carry with loaded mags at the ready without a permit.

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Very interesting information that I had no clue of prior to this post. Nothing surprises me any more as to how law makers can proceed making laws while their head is up the dark spot. Then talk about how it is only commen sense to do it their way.

Next thing will be a law that you can carry a concealed firearm but must leave the ammo at home in a government approved vault with a combo lock that is only given out by calling 911 with your secret permit password consisting of 18 digits .

Abosse said:

I'm new to carrying a concealed handgun. I have a Ruger SR9c. I've been looking for an answer to the age old question "Is it legal to carry a concealed weapon with a round in the chamber?" I can only find people's thoughts regarding this issue and I would like to know what the law states. More specifically in Connecticut if possible.

Click to expand...

Yes it is legal.

Next question.