I know the laws vary with the State, but does anyone know what the rules are pertaining to concealed carry without CCW? I know that I can carry where I live w/o a CCW outside of city limits. In city limits you have to show permit. But what is concealed carry. Can a person carry a pistol in a duffle bag, or backpack on their person w/o permit?
CCW Rules
- Thread starter barry23
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BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
You need to list your state for your question to make any sense.
Treo
member
In Colorado you do not need a permit to carry, on your property, in your car, or at your place of business. other than that you must have a permit.
Yes a duffle bag or backpack counts as concealed
Yes a duffle bag or backpack counts as concealed
romma
Member
Somebody from Texas will be along shortly to tell you how they do it! 
WayneConrad
Member
Winchester 73
member
Good one.
Sage of Seattle
Member
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I would think it pretty safe to say that ANY carry of a firearm when it's not readily identifiable as a firearm, is considered concealed -- in a glove compartment, a shoulder holster under your jacket, in a notebook gun-rig, a fanny pack, a duffel bag, whatever. You have direct access to it and it's hidden, so I'd say it's concealed.
Only exception I can think of if the pistol (in this instance) is in a locked case, or in an unloaded, cased condition.
The way it's done here in Idaho is you can open carry without a permit in and outside of city limits and conceal carry without a permit outside of city limits.
All you Texans could learn a thing or two from us'n tater growers!
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Aguila Blanca
Member
The simple answer is that concealed carry is any carry that is concealed.
The more accurate answer is that those laws you acknowledge as being different for every state usually have definitions in them, and the definitions may (or may not) cover exactly what "concealed carry" is in the state of ___.
Your question cannot be answered without knowing what state you live in. Even then, although we can look up the laws, an attorney in that state would probably have access to case law information that relates to how the law is typically viewed ... by the police, and by the courts.
If the answer to this question is important to you, save your lunch money for a couple of months and buy an hour of time with a good defense attorney in your state. You can save money by just guessing, but ... guess wrong, and you're a felon. Oops!
The more accurate answer is that those laws you acknowledge as being different for every state usually have definitions in them, and the definitions may (or may not) cover exactly what "concealed carry" is in the state of ___.
Your question cannot be answered without knowing what state you live in. Even then, although we can look up the laws, an attorney in that state would probably have access to case law information that relates to how the law is typically viewed ... by the police, and by the courts.
If the answer to this question is important to you, save your lunch money for a couple of months and buy an hour of time with a good defense attorney in your state. You can save money by just guessing, but ... guess wrong, and you're a felon. Oops!
The way it was explained to me during my CCW class, in Florida, you are allowed to carry inside your car as long as the gun is not attached to you ( holster ). It can be siting on the seat, in the glove box, on the back seat, whatever, as long as it isn't touching your body.
You will get arrested if you try getting out of the car and carry that gun on your person, concealed without a permit.
OC in FL is also not allowed.
Chris
You will get arrested if you try getting out of the car and carry that gun on your person, concealed without a permit.
OC in FL is also not allowed.
Chris
Winchester 73
member
Barry23,we still do not know your state.
Is it Montana?
The laws of each state on what constitutes concealed carry can and do vary. As several have already said, tell the forum what state you are in and you may get better advice. As far as inferring the laws that affect you from other states - don't do it. USMC_1975 tells you what he learned in Florida. The laws in Virginia are quite different from those. Specifically, if you have a loaded handgun in your car in Virginia, it is considered as concealed carry no matter where it is in the vehicle unless in plain view by being on the dashboard or on the front seat next to the driver. Glove box, under the seat, backseat, in a utility box or gym bag or briefcase are all concealed carry in Virginia. In fact, if you have an open carry holster on your belt, which is fully legal here to wear when walking down the sidewalk, that same holster becomes concealed carry as soon as you sit in the car. Under the law in Virginia, you must have a CHP to leave the gun in that holster when in the car. Otherwise, you must unholster the gun and place it in open view on the dashboard or seat beside you.
Craig_VA
Craig_VA
Oh yeah, I'm on this.....
So,
IN TEXAS (LOL), you are required to have a concealed handgun license (CHL) if you are to carry your concealed carry weapon (CCW) on your person off your property or outside your vehicle. There is not a distinction outside or inside city limits with respect to this. As long as it stays in your vehicle, you are ok if you do not have a CHL. IN TEXAS you can possess a handgun but must have it concealed in your vehicle whether or not you have a CHL. This in part is thanks to some clarification in fairly recent state legislation eliminating the need to justify 'travelling' which was a grey/ambiguous area for many to interpret for those IN TEXAS.
IN TEXAS and beyond. Concealed means concealed. The reasonable methods that one takes to conceal a CCW and cannot be detected through the reasonable observation of public eye are sufficient to comply with this statute for the most part. Wear it under a ball cap for all who care.
oh....
and....
for all that do not know already.....
TEXAS ROCKS!
Rok
So,
IN TEXAS (LOL), you are required to have a concealed handgun license (CHL) if you are to carry your concealed carry weapon (CCW) on your person off your property or outside your vehicle. There is not a distinction outside or inside city limits with respect to this. As long as it stays in your vehicle, you are ok if you do not have a CHL. IN TEXAS you can possess a handgun but must have it concealed in your vehicle whether or not you have a CHL. This in part is thanks to some clarification in fairly recent state legislation eliminating the need to justify 'travelling' which was a grey/ambiguous area for many to interpret for those IN TEXAS.
IN TEXAS and beyond. Concealed means concealed. The reasonable methods that one takes to conceal a CCW and cannot be detected through the reasonable observation of public eye are sufficient to comply with this statute for the most part. Wear it under a ball cap for all who care.
oh....
and....
for all that do not know already.....
TEXAS ROCKS!
Rok
DKA
Member
NC law says when it is concealed either on the person or within arms reach or within ready access.
Car Knocker
Member
Actually, Texas has suprisingly poor gun laws. At least, I'VE been surprised by them.
Car Knocker
Member
Oh, certainly. I was referring to the number of places one cannot legally carry in TX.
This may be dated. If so my apologies:
U.C.A. 76-10-505 Carrying loaded
firearm in vehicle or on street.
“(1) Unless otherwise authorized by law, a person may not
carry a loaded firearm:
(a) in or on a vehicle;
(b) on any public street; or
(c) in a posted prohibited area.” (airport, courthouse, prison, etc...)
- On some Federal property
(post office, national parks, etc...)
If you have a concealed permit, you are exempt. If you open carry, you carry "unloaded"...yes I know that is weak. I'm trying to learn here so take my jests in stride.
Texas:
No license needed for vehicle carry (must be concealed) or while at home (which you can open carry).
Concealed License gets you around most areas except those establishments with a specific sign.... all others we can legally ignore.
U.C.A. 76-10-505 Carrying loaded
firearm in vehicle or on street.
“(1) Unless otherwise authorized by law, a person may not
carry a loaded firearm:
(a) in or on a vehicle;
(b) on any public street; or
(c) in a posted prohibited area.” (airport, courthouse, prison, etc...)
- On some Federal property
(post office, national parks, etc...)
If you have a concealed permit, you are exempt. If you open carry, you carry "unloaded"...yes I know that is weak. I'm trying to learn here so take my jests in stride.
Texas:
No license needed for vehicle carry (must be concealed) or while at home (which you can open carry).
Concealed License gets you around most areas except those establishments with a specific sign.... all others we can legally ignore.
Car Knocker
Member
Rokyudai,
If you ever visit Utah, your permit (we honor any state's permit) will allow you to carry in any public school (including colleges/universities), bars, all state and local government buildings (even chatted with the Governor once in his office while armed), hospitals, sporting events, rapid transit busses and trains, and you get to ignore all those pesky signs malls, etc., are inclined to post (they have no legal weight).
Although not CCW related, another big plus are the millions of acres of public lands one can shoot on.
By the way, "unloaded", with an auto pistol, means no round in the chamber with a full mag in the grip (essentially what is commonly known as "Israeli carry").
Hopefully I've helped you expand your knowledge base.
If you ever visit Utah, your permit (we honor any state's permit) will allow you to carry in any public school (including colleges/universities), bars, all state and local government buildings (even chatted with the Governor once in his office while armed), hospitals, sporting events, rapid transit busses and trains, and you get to ignore all those pesky signs malls, etc., are inclined to post (they have no legal weight).
Although not CCW related, another big plus are the millions of acres of public lands one can shoot on.
By the way, "unloaded", with an auto pistol, means no round in the chamber with a full mag in the grip (essentially what is commonly known as "Israeli carry").
Hopefully I've helped you expand your knowledge base.
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