ARIZONA: Escaping California for a few days! EVERYTHING THREAD.

[Black Majik]

Hey everyone...

So I'm gonna be going with a buddy to Arizona next week. He's made the switch from Fullerton, California to Glendale, Arizona.

As I've read from here, Arizona allows open carry throughout the state. Problems might occur in the more metropolitan cities such as Phoenix, which Glendale is on the outskirts of.

When I'm down there, I do plan to carry openly. I'll be bringing along my Colt Government .45 with a Milt Sparks OWB holster. Now, I've never been to Arizona, nor have I ever open carried in public. When I'm driving is it alrite to drive with the pistol holstered on my hip or does it have to be in open view (dashboard).

What I wanted to ask of you good folks that have been to Arizona is any advice that can be given to me, and also what to expect of Arizona.

Near Glendale is Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. What are those cities like? Can you guys and gals recommend to me any good places to visit (Restaurants, fun, full auto ranges , gunstore )

Also, should I expect confrontation from the local LEO's if I do open carry? What should I tell them if I'm confronted? Any advice...?

Tell me about the Arizona police. I've also heard that 10 mph over the speed limit counts as a misdemeanor. Anything else I should know?

So... tell me about Arizona. What is there to do near Phoenix, what are some advices I should be given when open carrying, any good food you guys can recommend to me, any sites worth checking out, hows the weather lately, is the sky still blue there, ANYTHING you wanna tell me about Arizona feel free to post about it!

btw, how's the women there... do they compare to the Cali girls?

I'm excited. Bye bye California for a few days.

 

[Das Pferd]

A hostered gun in plain view is legal, even in a vehicle. You may also have a hostered gun in the glove box.

If you like strip joints, go to Christies. Finest women in all Phx.

All you ever wanted to know and more about open carry.

http://www.dps.state.az.us/ccw/3102.asp

F. Subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section shall not apply to a weapon or weapons carried in a belt holster which holster is wholly or partially visible, or carried in a scabbard or case designed for carrying weapons which scabbard or case is wholly or partially visible or carried in luggage. Subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section shall not apply to a weapon or weapons carried in a case, holster, scabbard, pack or luggage which is carried within a means of transportation or within a storage compartment, trunk or glove compartment of a means of transportation.

 

[sumpnz]

Tell me about the Arizona police. I've also heard that 10 mph over the speed limit counts as a misdemeanor. Anything else I should know?

For Smokie to haul you in for speeding it would have 20+ over the limit or over 85 mph (whichever you reach first). Since a lot of the rural interstate is posted at 75 mph, 10 over could get you hauled in. But it's not very likely even if you are going that fast. I've been pulled over 4 times in this state and not yet gotten a ticket. But I've been told that is highly unusual.

Can't speak much for stuff in the Phoenix area, but if you head to Tucson let me know. I know a few good restaurants here.

When I'm driving is it alrite to drive with the pistol holstered on my hip or does it have to be in open view (dashboard).

IANAL, but I'm sure that having it holstered on your hip is OK.

Also, should I expect confrontation from the local LEO's if I do open carry? What should I tell them if I'm confronted? Any advice...?

Can't speak much for the chance of an encounter, but if you do get confronted do what you should always do. Be polite, do not be an a$$ to them, say 'yes sir', 'no sir', etc. I'm sure, if nothing else, that kind of attitude has kept me from a number of traffic tickets.

What I wanted to ask of you good folks that have been to Arizona is any advice that can be given to me, and also what to expect of Arizona.

It's freakin' hot until the rains come in the late afternoon. Then it can get quite pleasant. Edit to add - Don't touch anything out in the desert. If it doesn't have fangs it has spines or thorns. Drink LOTS of water if you're outside for any length of time, whether for shooting, hiking, whatever.

btw, how's the women there... do they compare to the Cali girls?

Been married since I got to Arizona. Didn't even notice there were other women here.

 

[Das Pferd]

If you like baseball, there is a restaurant in Bank One Ball Park's outfield that is open all the time. Its a Fridays and looks out over the whole field with lots of memorabilia inside.

Mandalls shooting supplies have full auto weapons for rent including a M249. The owner is a little wack, he thinks he's Jesus reincarnate.

 

[gunsmith]

Enjoy!

look at this thread!
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83630&highlight=Charles+Heller

I wen't to Phoenix a few yrs ago also Scottsdale and carried open with zero problems.
Scottsdale was where I expected problems (very upscale) no body said squat,I got one bad look-but I've been told thats to be expected as I was wearing a Glock not a 1911

Cops saw me walking around,one looked twice,but never got stopped or harrassed...

Besides all the cool gun stuff they also got a cool spy shop.

 

[armoredman]

You cannot carry in any establishment serving open alcohol, with the exception of walking in a hotel with bar, if you don't go into the bar itself.
Some establishments have no gun signs - honor them, and shop elsewhere.
A professional looking firearm in professional looking leather while well dressed will get you very few comments from Johnny Law. You may have an officer ask what you are carrying, and what load you like. Seriously.
As for speeding tickets, easiest way to avoid that - don't speed. This is'nt Cali, so drive like your own grandmother is in front and behind you - with our huge retiree population, she might be!
Have fun, and come down to Tucson - check out the Desert Museum, Old Tucson Studios, The Gaslight Theatre, and Kartchner Caverns down in Benson.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Last time I was in Arizona was April of 1999 (I think-it was the week of Columbine). Went on a trip to Sedona, and passed thru every conceivable kind of weather condition. You name it rain, sleet, hail, snow, etc. Spent several days in Sedona hiking and sightseeing. Beautiful place.

Several years before that, I took a motorcycle trip to AZ-on a Kawasaki GPz 550. I remember stopping at a big intersection in somewhere. I was watching the cross traffic, and saw a guy go thru on a Harley with a BIG HAWGLEG hangin' off his belt. I thought "Damn, now there's an OUTLAW biker!" Later, when I got to Denny's or wherever, I noticed 'bout half the people packing. I realized then it was an open carry state. Being a Californian, I had a J-frame in my leather jacket pocket.

I think AZ is a great state. If I ever move out of California, it would be the place for me. But then, I would miss the beaches and the temperate climate.

 

[El Tejon]

Ensure your cruise control is working and drink plenty of water. I carry a few hundred bucks in cash separately as they can arrest for speeding down there.

Never been hassled by the po-po in GWR. However, I radiate yuppie scum so visible pistol or not, I'm invisible to cops. "I'm not the droid you're looking for. I can go about my business."

 

[bpisler]

Welcome to arizona Black Majik,i hope you enjoy your stayI"ve carried in the open for 12 years now with zero problems.If a business is posted no firearms allowed don't carry in there
and take your business else where.Ben avery would be a cool place to shoot,it was just named a phoenix point of pride and it costs 5 bucks for as long as you want to shoot.As far as food goes,fridays in bank one ball park cool as is alice
cooperstown which is near bank one ball park.For gun shops grap a yellow paged and go from there,lots of shops on the west side to pick from.The armory in north scottsdale is large and might be worth the drive.If you have a pistol in the car it should be in a holster or case and if you're pulled over make sure you tell the officer you have a firearm in the car.As for as the freeways go people seem to drive 5-15 mph over the posted limit however with out of state plates on your vehicle you might want to be more carefull.

 

[Das Pferd]

Drink lots of water on your ride over. Everytime I go back my lips get very chapped because of the climate and not being used to it anymore. Bring lip balm and drink water. Or maybe its just me.

 

[1911Ron]

I would suggest the Scottsdale Gun Club up in north Scottsdale right down the road from Dillon Precision. For full auto i think SCG has full auto rental, for what it's worth i would avoid Mandells not worth the arrogance and rudeness. Above all else stay out of the sun!!!

 

[AZLibertarian]

Just to make sure you don't have the wrong impression...

While Open Carry is legal, it is (in my experience) fairly uncommon. While you might get a look or two, I'd be surprised if anyone comments at all.

You can carry concealed inside your vehicle--with or without a permit. AZ views your vehicle as an extension of your home. You can carry inside your house (or on any other property you own/lease) without a permit. The trick, of course, is that once you set foot outside your vehicle while carrying concealed, you're committing a felony if you don't have a CCW permit.

I'll second the caution about carrying in restaurants. If liquor is served, you can't carry there--with or without a permit. This pretty much eliminates carrying in any 'sit-down' restaurant. About the best you might hope for is 'fast food'.

Dunno anything about 'the women'. Me and Mrs. Azlib. have been happily married for 20 years. And no--I won't introduce you to my daughters.

 

[Standing Wolf]

If the air seems to smell slightly different, not to worry: that's freedom.

Arizona is a beautiful state, and in my experience, people there are more outgoing, polite, and plain old-fashioned courteous than many other places. Sad to say, it's drowning in illegal aliens.

 

[armoredman]

AZlibertarian, you are mostly right, but a weapon can be concealed in a vehicle if it is in a holster, case, or scabbard designed for the carrying of same, meaning under the seat in a gun rug, glove box in a holster, etc. Worn on the body concealed is still requiring of a CCW permit.
BTW, Black Majic, make sure to take two days, and get your nonresident CCW permit. All it requires is the 16 hour class, fingerprints, send in your 50 money order to the state, and voila! We'll even send it to your home of record in Cali. Classes are anywhere from $50-100. Now wouldn't that frost your buddies back home! Turnaround on the permits is about two weeks, too.....

 

[Das Pferd]

Sad to say, it's drowning in illegal aliens.

Which helps add to the great culture besides some peoples ignorant beliefs.

 

[mnrivrat]

Watch out for the goat heads and all other things in the desert as they either poke ya or bite ya.

AZ women are better look'n than the Kali ones and with a lot less attitude - never been called hon so many times by those that don't me.

( actualy it's the attitude that makes em better looking ! )

I didn't find open carry to be a problem and never got a second look for it. I was not in the bigger cities however. My CCW is recognized in AZ from my home state so there is no problem with concealed for me either.

Nice Place - I'm going back (maybe will stay soon).

 

[wasrjoe]

Which helps add to the great culture besides some peoples ignorant beliefs.

Illegal aliens=BAD. Legal aliens=goodhappyfuntimethanksforcoming.

Anyway, enjoy your stay down here. Can't really recommend anything because I feel most things on my side of town (Avondale area) are quite boring, but that's me.

 

[Black Majik]

thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Just curious, how is the weather out in Phoenix area currently? Dry, rainy, humid etc etc...?

Great information so far. I'm gonna check up on the places recommended so far. Many thanks for the suggestions.

Keep the advice and recommendations coming. I'm happily reading them.

TIA!

 

[AZLibertarian]

Just curious, how is the weather out in Phoenix area currently? Dry, rainy, humid etc etc...?

As I write this it is about 103 and humid for my tastes. If you're not aware, from about mid-July through late Sept, Arizona undergoes what we call our 'Monsoon Season'. We get afternoon thunderstorms which only sometimes actually produce rain on the ground. They do, however, raise the humidity, and will put out dust storms.

Since you earlier mentioned driving, and with regard to the weather, do NOT cross any wash that might appear to be flowing with only a little runoff. Our washes can and do have flash floods this time of year. They get people every year.

 

[Treylis]

Don't worry about getting hassled by the cops. I do it in even the most urban areas and I've never had problems. The fact that I dress well, carry an expensive steel 1911 in a good leather holster--like you yourself are doing--might have something to do with that. If you do get confronted, the worst I can imagine happening is them just discouraging you from carrying. The police just generally leave people alone.

As long as it's in a holster, it doesn't matter where the gun is in a car--on your hip, dashboard, under a newspaper or seat, whatever. If it's not in a holster/case, it has to be visible.

Monti's in Tempe is good for steak. Mill Avenue is also fun--I think I might have started an arms race down there, I started coming regularly with my gun openly carried, now everyone has freaking openly carried swords. So I've upped the ante a bit on my personal firepower, hah.

I'll second the caution about carrying in restaurants. If liquor is served, you can't carry there--with or without a permit. This pretty much eliminates carrying in any 'sit-down' restaurant. About the best you might hope for is 'fast food'.

We're trying to fix that, it's really irritating. If you want to sit down, conceal or go to a Denny's.

 

[Warhawk]

Several good restaurants in old town Scottsdale.

Also check out the Bourbon Street Circus.

 

[AZLibertarian]

We're trying to fix that, it's really irritating. If you want to sit down, conceal or go to a Denny's.

Yeah, I too was disappointed that we weren't able to fix that part of our CCW law. I haven't checked their menu recently, so I could be wrong, but I think you can get a beer or a glass of wine in a Denny's.

Beer goes good with a Grand Slam breakfast.

 

[Treylis]

Yeah, I too was disappointed that we weren't able to fix that part of our CCW law. I haven't checked their menu recently, so I could be wrong, but I think you can get a beer or a glass of wine in a Denny's.

You know, people have told me that they do, but I've never seen alcohol on a Denny's menu, and I've never seen anyone drinking any beer or wine there... plus, I've open carried into them a bunch and never gotten any flak.

I suppose IHOP is also an option? ;-)

 

[gunsmith]

Mrs Gunsmith is from AZ

And is of Mexican heritage (though she says Spanish) her family is against the flood of illegals coming over the border. Calling some one "ignorant" when they wan't foreigners to respect the laws of their country is like "the pot calling the kettle black".

When I visit other countries I obey the law and behave in respectfull and polite manner. I expect the same from folks from other countries.


Dennys,they have beer???-oop's! I opened carried there -thank God no one cared less, I dont remember seeing beer on the menu there.

And yes AZ women are nicer then Cali women- Mrs Gunsmith is from there and she can cook and shoot!