Differences between Phoenix and Las Vegas for a firearm owner?

[Kingofthehill]

As much as I love Vegas, I would pick Phoenix. It's nice to drive a couple hours north to flagstaff to escape the heat or havea white Christmas. Ultimately the place I will retire to in 30 years when I'm able is flagstaff.

 

[oneounceload]

Clark County NV requires handgun registration

Yep. And the double whammy of living in North LV - you really don't want to

if those are the only two choices, opt for Phoenix;

otherwise the Reno area in NV and Prescott area in AZ are worthy of a look

 

[langenc]

Year ago took a cheaper flight to AZ-Mesa airport. SE of Phoenix.. Then drove to Sun City (NW) and it was 60 miles--all homes/condos and shopping malls--60 miles.

 

[Quiet]

Another vote for Phoenix.

NV has a higher unemployment rate than AZ.
Las Vegas has a higher crime rate than Phoenix.

Some gun laws you won't have to deal with in AZ...
Clark County has mandatory handgun registration for residents of Clark County.
Clark County has a 3 day waiting period for handguns. If you have a handgun registered with LVMPD, you are exempt from the waiting period.

 

[loose noose]

I live 90 miles south of LasVegas, and the gun rules here are not as lenient as in AZ. But we don't have to pay a State income tax. Being a retired LE I can carry CCW anyway. Last I heard for an ordinary citizen to carry CCW they have to be able to show cause (carry a large sum of cash, have been threatened etc) However there are quite a few places out here where you can set up your own range and start shooting.

 

[Powers77]

No special circumstances are required for a CCW in Nevada. You only have to be able to pass the normal background check that I think is required everywhere. My CCW class was really just an education on the laws and how to do things legally. Taught by a true gun enthusiast. There is a shooting portion but if you can't pass it you have no business with a gun.

 

[mrvco]

I was going to mention Tuscon, but didn't want to derail the thread. But since the cat is out of the bag... What a neat city and the desert there is absolutely amazing. If I had to come down out of the mountains and move to the desert, Tuscon would be at the top of my list.

 

[rspeters]

I'm up in the far Northwest Phoenix area and it's nice. I'm about 15-25 minutes from Lake Pleasant and open desert...I love being able to get out of town quick for shooting, offroading, etc. Plus no complaints about the gunlaws here.

 

[igousigloo]

Where does Harry Reid live? Try the other place.

 

[exavid]

I've spent time in both places and if I were moving I'd go to AZ and visit Las Vegas for a couple days now and then. AZ is a lot more gun friendly. There is a great variation of climate and terrain in AZ. Besides how could a state that has a county sheriff like Joe Arpaio be bad? Taxes are a bit higher in AZ but Nevada isn't doing so well of late and that could change. Flagstaff, Tucson, Yuma, Phoenix, there are a lot of interesting places in AZ. Also it bears repeating, what state elected Harry Reid? Remember Jan Brewer, AZ's governor stuck her finger in Obama's eye.

 

[Ex]

Phoenix (area). Don't like Phoenix itself...live in Mesa. Cooler by up to 10 degrees. Must calmer environment. Much closer to real mountains (Mogillon Rim @~7-8000 ft). Almost a "small town" feel with all the bennies of BIG city, etc...

Of course, IMHO!

 

[Alaska444]

Phoenix or Las Vegas? Nahhh, Denver is a neat town and not all that backwards as far as guns goes, but it is getting a bit too liberal for me since it is a western city after all. But Phoenix? Can you say HOT!! Vegas is definitely a cool oasis compared to Phoenix if you happen to follow the weather reports at all.

Denver gives you rather mild weather in the winter as well. My wife and I both wish we would have stayed there instead of heading out to CA. Weather wise, it tops Vegas and Phoenix by a wide margin my opinion.

 

[loose noose]

To Powers77, I'm not sure when you got your CCW, but in Clark County, not only do you need a "blue card" (Form Of Permanent Registration) but you also need to show cause according to the Metropolitan Police Department before the County Sheriff will issue you a CCW. This I heard less than a month ago from a Metro Officer. If I'm wrong I definitely apologize for any misunderstanding.

 

[Powers77]

To Powers77, I'm not sure when you got your CCW, but in Clark County, not only do you need a "blue card" (Form Of Permanent Registration) but you also need to show cause according to the Metropolitan Police Department before the County Sheriff will issue you a CCW. This I heard less than a month ago from a Metro Officer. If I'm wrong I definitely apologize for any misunderstanding.

Loose Noose - My Nevada CCW is dated 11-2011 so I took the class last fall. There was a lot of paperwork but I don't recall any need to show cause at all. I'm originally from the Peoples Republic of Illinois so I'd sure like to know if NV is headed that way as well.
You have my curiosity up at this point and I'll make it a point to check next time I'm over at the range. They teach the CCW class and I'm sure they will know of any such requirements.
Just found the requirements listed below at ccw-lasvegas.com and think its the "standard" list most states use. I'm still going to inquire next time I'm over at the range. No offense taken at all. Hopefully your Metro source is the one mistaken.


CCW Requirements

In order to qualify for a Nevada CCW permit you must meet all the following minmum requirements. Please make absolutely certain you meet these requirements before you begin the CCW process. If you do not meet even just one of these requirements, you are not able to obtain a Nevada CCW permit.

Full List of CCW Requirements

1. You must be 21 years old.

2. You must complete the 8 hour CCW class.

3. You must target qualify with each type of gun (semi-auto or revolver) you want to conceal carry.

4. You must not be a fugitive from justice.

5. You must be mentally sound, sane, and competent.

6. You must never have been admitted to a mental health facility/asylum.

7. You must not be a habitual user of drugs or alcohol.

8. No felony criminal conviction (regardless of crime or date of occurance).

9. No misdemeanor criminal conviction that involved the use of violence or threats thereof within 3 years prior to submitting your application.

10. No criminal conviction for stalking.

11. No criminal conviction for domestic violence.

12. You may not be under restraining order.

12. You may not have been dishonorably discharged from the US Armed Forces.

13. You must be a US Citizen or Legal Resident Alien with a valid SS#.

14. You must submit a completed application and all supporting documents.

15. You must pay the appropriate fees.

16. You must answer all questions on the application honestly.

17. No D.U.I. (drunk driving) conviction in past 5 years in any state.

 

[SabbathWolf]

I was born in Sunrise Hospital in Vegas, and grew up there.
I left when I joined the army.
I am retired now and still never moved back home again.
I live in the Midwest now.
Enough said.

 

[loneviking]

As of Oct. 2011, you don't have to qualify with every different semi-auto you want to carry. Qualify with one semi-auto and one revolver, that's all you need for any of them. I despise Las Vegas because the powers that be tried to create 'california east' and I moved away from California to get away from that mentality. There are quite a few unenforceable firearm laws on the books of Vegas and surrounding suburbs. Much of the population is about as anti-gun as what you find in California.

 

[SabbathWolf]

As of Oct. 2011, you don't have to qualify with every different semi-auto you want to carry. Qualify with one semi-auto and one revolver, that's all you need for any of them. I despise Las Vegas because the powers that be tried to create 'california east' and I moved away from California to get away from that mentality. There are quite a few unenforceable firearm laws on the books of Vegas and surrounding suburbs. Much of the population is about as anti-gun as what you find in California.

Not to mention my entire old neighborhood and much of the "old" city looks like Tijuana, Mexico now.
The town has fallen apart in many places and resembles a 3rd world country.
I have no idea what the percentage of illegal immigrants is now, but I visited in 2010 and was almost brought to tears when I saw what happened to my old home.

 

[Joe Link]

Wow, it's crazy how different Vegas is than I had imagined it. I'm sure happy I posted this thread. We've decided on Phoenix

 

[Powers77]

To Powers77, I'm not sure when you got your CCW, but in Clark County, not only do you need a "blue card" (Form Of Permanent Registration) but you also need to show cause according to the Metropolitan Police Department before the County Sheriff will issue you a CCW. This I heard less than a month ago from a Metro Officer. If I'm wrong I definitely apologize for any misunderstanding.

Just spoke to the guy that taught my CCW. He now teaches it at the local Bass Pro here in Vegas. He confirmed that there has not been any change in the requirements and that there is not a provision requiring one to show cause to obtain a CCW.

 

[loneviking]

Nope..no requirement to show cause. Nevada has statewide pre-emption which means that the legislature sets the gun laws and not Las Vegas.

 

[Ex]

Wow, it's crazy how different Vegas is than I had imagined it. I'm sure happy I posted this thread. We've decided on Phoenix

Good choice Joe! Depending on where you find employment, check out Mesa and Gilbert .

If you wanna go a couple miles further east to Apache Junction, you can save some pretty big stamps on home prices. AJ has a lot of areas in it that are trailer cities, but they are really building some very nice communities now as well. PM me if you want some specifics!

I'm in east Mesa and it's very nice AND 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix!
Ex

 

[loose noose]

Powers 77 & loneviking, glad to hear I, and the Metro Officer, was wrong I don't see why a retired LEO should be able to carry CCW and the law abiding citizen has to jump thru hoops to be able to carry, best of luck to all of you.

 

[Hypnogator]

We've decided on Phoenix

I don't think you'll be sorry. As others have stated, look closely at Mesa or Tempe, rather than Phoenix proper. Our daughter and her husband live in Tempe and love it, and there are a lot of great things to see and do there and in Mesa.

We've bought some property near Florence, about half way between Mesa and Tucson. Love that area in the winter.