Carry inside your home: must be concealed?

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Richard.Howe

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I carry OWB in my home sometimes when the family is gone. If a neighbor sees through a window, or the pizza guy rings the door and I answer, have I crossed over into the open-carry zone? For context -- open carry is not legal in TX.

Thanks,
Rich
 
You can open carry in your home as well as at your business (own). Gun stores folks do it all the time. You can walk around your house with a 12 ga shotgun if it suits you. As far as I know. Note the qualification statement.
 
Most states include your curtilage (i.e. yard, the property you own around your dwelling) in places you may carry openly. I open carry at home regularly. It insures that solicitors and proselytizers accept the first "no thank you, not interested".:evil:
 
Shoot... when I'm working out on my woodlot, I usually have some manner of "evil assault weapon" slung over my shoulder (feral dog packs are such a nuisance here) not to mention a Makarov carried openly.

The sherrif has been out to my place (chasing moonshiners that have mobile stills and move all over the county) and didn't even flinch when he saw me trimming back some branches off the trail with a MAK90 strapped to my back and Makarov on the belt. That's down in NC. I doubt it would have gone over as well in, say, the PRNJ or PRK.
 
Around where I live, it is plenty legal to carry whatever you want on your own property, inside or out. If you have annoying varmints on your own property, it is even legal to dispose of them (assuming no conflicting game laws; around here, groundhogs are ALWAYS in season :D ).

This year, I mowed the lawn with my 1911 on my hip. We had a bizarre little creature (head of a fox, body of a coyote, size between the two) with no fear of humans whatsoever (it would sit and watch me mow with a riding mower, even at ranges of less than 20 yards) hanging around. I was content to live and let live, but I wasn't about to undergo a rabies series just for some little critter. I did try to keep my gun slightly hidden (OWB in a cheap nylon holster, but with my shirt pulled over it) just so I didn't concern the neighbors.
 
if it is property you own, whether it be your home or buisness you can carry openly, heck you can pace back and forth with a loaded shotgun. The only peace of property you can't is your car.
 
Even though I'm at home, I usually carry concealed, just so no one does come to the door, etc and sees it. Or if I have to take trash out, I don't want to forget and go out to the street with it in plain sight.

Last year however, the census guy came to take my information, and I let him in, forgetting about my unloaded Hi Power on my tray in the living room that I had just cleaned. I noticed it during the census survey and I'm sure he saw it too. He was not the least concerned however.
Still, since then, I keep the weapons out of sight if I can.
 
I believe the rule in Texas is that you may open carry a handgun on your own property or "property under your control." I would surmise that means property you own, rent, lease, oversee, work on, etc etc.

As fer long guns, they're by law legal to carry open just about anywhere. :evil:
 
Mike in VA said:
Most states include your curtilage (i.e. yard, the property you own around your dwelling) in places you may carry openly. I open carry at home regularly. It insures that solicitors and proselytizers accept the first "no thank you, not interested".:evil:
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to like you Virginianianioanians.....
2 years, 1 month...
 
There are some "what if's?" to consider about open carry on your own property.

What if you've had a spat with your next-door neighbor, and for revenge he calls the local police and says that you were aiming your handgun at him through your front window? The police respond, get the "BS" story from your neighbor, then approach your residence to investigate the claim. You greet the officer while openly carrying! OOPS! Sure, you are within your rights for open carry, but since the officers weren't there and you have been accused of "assault with a deadly weapon", the firearm openly carried on your side makes the situation a very "sticky" one for you!

What if you have to run out of your home and off of your propery for some reason, forgetting that you're openly carrying? You're no longer within your "castle", and on public property. Chances are that there WON'T be any police around, but....!

As far as I'm concerned, concealed is the BEST, if you feel the necessity to carry a firearm while at home. If you have "home invasion" bad guys burst in, they won't immediately SEE that you are armed, so you might be able to get the drop on them. Walking around inside your home, or on your property, with a concealed weapon won't accidentally "offend" or "scare" anyone, so the local police won't be called.

Personally, I'd rather not have bad guys KNOW that I'm armed. Keep 'em guessing!
 
Georgia allows open or concealed carry in one's place of business or around one's home WITHOUT a CCW permit. Ga law actually makes little


16-11-126.
(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a concealed weapon when such person knowingly has or carries about his or her person, unless in an open manner and fully exposed to view, any bludgeon, metal knuckles, firearm, knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character outside of his or her home or place of business, except as permitted under this Code section.
Click to expand...

16-11-128.
(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a pistol without a license when he has or carries on or about his person, outside of his home, motor vehicle, or place of business, any pistol or revolver without having on his person a valid license issued by the judge of the probate court of the county in which he resides, provided that no permit shall be required for persons with a valid hunting or fishing license on their person or for persons not required by law to have hunting licenses who are engaged in legal hunting, fishing, or sport shooting when the persons have the permission of the owner of the land on which the activities are being conducted; provided, further, that the pistol or revolver, whenever loaded, shall be carried only in an open and fully exposed manner.
Click to expand...
 
Concur - in Virginia you can open carry or CCW on your own property. Business owners can also open or CCW in their place of business without any permits.
 
Oldtimer said:
There are some "what if's?" to consider about open carry on your own property.

What if you've had a spat with your next-door neighbor, and for revenge he calls the local police and says that you were aiming your handgun at him through your front window? The police respond, get the "BS" story from your neighbor, then approach your residence to investigate the claim. You greet the officer while openly carrying! OOPS! Sure, you are within your rights for open carry, but since the officers weren't there and you have been accused of "assault with a deadly weapon", the firearm openly carried on your side makes the situation a very "sticky" one for you!

What if you have to run out of your home and off of your propery for some reason, forgetting that you're openly carrying? You're no longer within your "castle", and on public property. Chances are that there WON'T be any police around, but....!

As far as I'm concerned, concealed is the BEST, if you feel the necessity to carry a firearm while at home. If you have "home invasion" bad guys burst in, they won't immediately SEE that you are armed, so you might be able to get the drop on them. Walking around inside your home, or on your property, with a concealed weapon won't accidentally "offend" or "scare" anyone, so the local police won't be called.

Personally, I'd rather not have bad guys KNOW that I'm armed. Keep 'em guessing!
Click to expand...

Fortunately in VA we have open carry rights, so no worry there. About neighbors making false charges - well they can do that about anything not just guns.

Hopefully police don't burst into your home simply because one neighbor files a complaint.
 
Richard.Howe said:
I carry OWB in my home sometimes when the family is gone. If a neighbor sees through a window, or the pizza guy rings the door and I answer, have I crossed over into the open-carry zone? For context -- open carry is not legal in TX.
Click to expand...

My recommendation=>Find a place in your home (near front door, high on bookcase, etc.) where handgun can be placed and quickly accessed; leave it there and get use to looking there and seeing it... While such a plan may not be acceptable for homes with kids, it might be a solution otherwise. Even with kids, a gun placed high but still accessible is a good plan....

My experience is that if one deliveryman or pizzaman reports you carrying a gun to local authorities (and they will talk!) you could be in lots of trouble!
 
Camp David said:
My experience is that if one deliveryman or pizzaman reports you carrying a gun to local authorities (and they will talk!) you could be in lots of trouble!
Click to expand...

While it is good idea to carry concealed at your home when strangers are around just as a practical measure for privacy, what do you mean that them talking to local authorities "you could be in lots of trouble!"? Sounds like you think carrying openly on your own private dwelling is illegal, which is incorrect.
 
You can walk around in the nude with a shotgun slung over your chest and .44 magnums in shoulder holsters if you want, as long as you're in your own home.
 
Hopefully police don't burst into your home simply because one neighbor files a complaint.
Click to expand...

Here's an idea: Actually be NEIGHBORLY, civil, and friendly to your neighbors. That way, they have no reason to file a complaint against you.

I've carried openly through the parking lot of my apartment building when taking trash out to the dumpster or going to my car to get something out. I've done it in broad daylight with children outside playing nearby. Neighbors have seen it. Nothing has ever been said, nor have any police officers shown up at my door.

Another instance, this one involving a police officer (actually, two instances): I was downstairs at my buddy's apartment when a police officer stopped by for a noise complaint. Looks like my buddy had his computer speakers up a little too loud, and the rather thin walls prompted a neighbor to get upset (it was a late hour). I answered the door, answered his questions, showed him my ID and my PA LTCF, and heeded his request to keep the music down. He did say that seeing a gun openly on someone's hip was unusual for him, but also that there was nothing he could legally do since I was inside a dwelling; just to keep it covered when I stepped outside. The second time, another officer came by for a noise complaint. This time it wasn't us - it was the neighbor across the hall playing his guitar or some music on his stereo (he's a night owl too). He saw my .45 on my hip, then looked at me. I re-affirmed him that it would be covered when I stepped outside. He says, "I don't care about that! I just wanna see it. Looks like a nice piece." I cleared the weapon and handed it to him. We then talked about guns and cars for about the next 30 minutes until his next call came in over the radio.

Guess where I live, things are just a little different. Then again, there's probably firearms in 90%+ of the homes where I live.

-38SnubFan
 
Camp David said:
My experience is that if one deliveryman or pizzaman reports you carrying a gun to local authorities (and they will talk!) you could be in lots of trouble!
Click to expand...
My experiance is that delivermen and pizzamen dont care. Neither do my neighbors.

I dont always wear a cover garment in the house, and I normally carry openly when working outside. To the best of my knowledge, its never been an issue.
 
Camp David said:
My experience is that if one deliveryman or pizzaman reports you carrying a gun to local authorities (and they will talk!) you could be in lots of trouble!
Click to expand...


NOT in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
 
why do you care? even if there were some stupid law about it, who cares? it's your house, do what you think is right. rights are not granted by government, they are secured by men who are willing to fight to maintain them.

i am reminded from time to time how glad i am that i live in one of the few spots in the nation where men are still free. you know it's bad when a man from texas starts sounding like someone from MA.
 
Talk

The Pizza boy has no idea why you carry... you could be a cop... a Federalie all sorts of things... no reason someone should take particular note... it isn't all that unusual.

FWIW

Chuck

Shootcraps said:
NOT in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Click to expand...
 
Not in California

Actually even in California you can carry open carry in your home and I have seen businesses (mostly gun stores) where employees open carry (not all of them though.)

It is not highly recommended in some situations though. You may remember that there was a situation some months back where a private party where it was a costume party in Hollywood and a guest was playing with his gun replica in the house. Police responding to a man with a gun situation saw him through the window and when ordered to drop the gun.. he did not for whatever reason and the police shot the man and he expired.

So this is a situation where open carry was not a good idea.:confused:
 
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