Carrying on your own land in the city?

[NINEX19]

Reading through the last "how do you carry" thread got me to thinking. I noticed that some stated that they open carry when on their own land in plain sight of neighbors.

I am in Washington State where, from the laws that I read, open carry is not legal. Is anyone aware if carrying in your "own back/front yard" in the city ( I am not talking about the sticks here) is still against the law?

I am well aware of the "concealed vs open" debate and currently carry concealed all the time. I am not looking for the "open carry is a bad idea" response. I just want to understand if on your own land if the same no open carry laws apply.

 

[dfariswheel]

Depends entirely on what your state/local laws are.
Recently, one state's Supreme Court ruled their state's prohibition on carrying on one's own property was un-constitutional, and over turned the law.

MOST states laws hold that when you're on your OWN land or in your OWN place of business, you're free to carry a gun, as you see fit.
This is in line with the old English "A Man's Home is His Castle".

Some states or local ordinances may be different, and in many areas, the police will swoop down and arrest you for "Disturbing the Peace", or some other blanket catch-all law.

However, in most places, if you're on your own land or business, you're free to carry a gun, since those places aren't "public" places.

 

[themic]

but some places may describe any visible carry as brandishing, which does not have an exception for if you're on your own property. the courts may agree with them, too.

they had a case in virginia where dude held a rifle while asking the neighbor to please stop knocking on his door. did not point it, but didn't have it holstered either, so you be the judge. i'll tell you the jury thought it was brandishing, but only gave him a fine and probation.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I've often wondered about that also. Here in Michigan there is no law against open carry. However, we've all been warned "Try it sometime though." But this makes for interesting debate when the old lady screams when your t-shirt rides up as you're bending, exposing, albeit ever-so-slightly, your prize packer. "But officer, since there is no law against open carry here, how could I be brandishing?"

 

[scotjute]

As a case in point, I saw a fellow wearing a fixed blade sheath knife in a Walmart 2-3 years ago and wondered if maybe they shouldn't call the police or something. Then ran across Bladeforums.com and learned that in Texas it was perfectly legal to carry a fixed blade knife with a blade under 5 1/2". Since then I have on occassion worn a small Norwegian sheath knife w/3" fixed blade. I know that at times, it must raise eyebrows. Even got hassled once by a middle-aged saleslady about it.
Even when it's legal, carrying in plain sight can provoke hassles, and this was just with a knife!

 

[CWL]

Depends on circumstance. It may perhaps be legal to carry on your own/private land, but marching around in your front yard 'strapped' may generate other illegalities such as brandishing, creating a public nuisance, endangering the public, etc.
-Even if you successfully defend yourself in court after getting arrested for this, was it worth the time & money?

Don't believe there are any laws preventing you from carrying discreetly while on your own land.