Differences between Phoenix and Las Vegas for a firearm owner?

[Joe Link]

My girlfriend and I have decided we're going to move to either Phoenix or Las Vegas sometime after our current lease is up in February. I know most people despise both of these cities, but I love Phoenix (I've visited a few times) and she feels the same about Vegas (she lived there for a year). I've lived here in Portland all my life and I'm ready to experience someplace new while we're young. We might like it and decide to stay, or we might decide it's not for us after a year and move back. Either way, we're in a place right now in our lives where we can take that chance. If we move to Phoenix it'll be North Scottsdale. If we move to Vegas it'll be North Las Vegas or Summerlin.

My question for my fellow gun owners is, what are the differences between these two states when it comes to firearm ownership and use? Which city has the larger gun community (owners, ranges, businesses, etc.)? From the research I've done it doesn't look like there's a whole lot of difference, but I'd like to hear it from folks in the area.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Death Valley is cool. I'd say Vegas.

 

[Twiki357]

Arizona is a Constitutional carry state. Open or concealed carry is legal anywhere that it's NOT specifically prohibited or posted for no firearms.

I'm not all that familiar with Nevada. I do know that CCW's are issued at the county level and good throughout the state. But I'm not going to go any further than that and chance being wrong.

 

[lechiffre]

I doubt there is a better "Big City", as far as guns go, than Phoenix.

 

[OARNGESI]

phoenix is pretty good as far as gun laws go. but the weather may take some time to get use too, and vegas is just as hot.

 

[Ian]

Clark County NV requires handgun registration. I don't know about ranges in Vegas, but in north Phoenix you will be close to Ben Avery, a nice sized outdoor public range. And as others mentioned, AZ doesn't require a permit for open or concealed carry.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I have been in both, Vegas in 2004-05, Phoenix 2005-08. I detested Vegas, but loved Phoenix until the economy took a dump. Phoenix for the win.

The Phoenix metro area has far more gun ranges and shops, my favorite being Scottsdale Gun Club. http://scottsdalegunclub.com Arizona has adopted Vermont-style "constitutional carry" now. Before that, their CCW stated concealed weapon, i.e., you could carry any weapon that is legal to own in the first place; batons, knives, even NFA. North Las Vegas - a place to avoid in general - and Boulder City have local laws prohibiting handguns to be transported through them. Nevada has "shall issue" CCW, but there are a number of PITA restrictions, the biggest one being that you have to qualify with and list each gun you want to carry on your permit. The county Vegas is located in (Clark) requires handgun registration.

There are a few things not so good about Phoenix. Arizona is not a low tax state. It has an income tax, a sales tax and very high vehicle license fees. If you rent your house or apartment, there is even a tax on that. Your car insurance will be very high. And there are some high crime areas you want to stay away from.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Continuing on, the Phoenix climate is going to take some getting used to, coming from cool and rainy Portland, OR. It's hot. The good news is that it is relatively warm in the winter, with only a few days even reaching freezing overnight. In North Scottsdale you may even see a little snow. (Good photo opportunity.) In general there is very little rain, but late spring and early summer does bring monsoonal rain and thunderstorms, which can be quite severe at times. There is also an "urban heat island" effect; i.e., so much ground is paved over that it retains and holds the heat. In summer it can still be over 100 degrees at 3 AM. But you won't be actually out in it that much, except to get from your air-conditioned car to your air-conditioned building.

If we move to Vegas it'll be North Las Vegas or Summerlin.

The actual city of North Las Vegas? No, no, NO!

 

[danez71]

I live about it the middle of both in AZ... little closer to Vegas. Ive considered both as well.


Id choose PHX. A lot more diverse work. Better gun laws.

Weather is pretty much the same with it getting a little hotter in PHX in the summer and a little colder in the winter in Vegas. PHX area gets dusts storms which IMO really suck... I dont know if vegas area does or doesn't. My perception is that PHX is a dustier area in general too. Id check into that if either of you have allergies.

I consider N. Scottsdale are nicer/prettier than anywhere in the vegas area. Lots of open shooting land avail too.

If you choose Vegas area I wouldnt choose anything with vegas in the name. Check oiut Henderson too. Good houses/housing and very very close to vegas with-out actually being in vegas. Different feel than the entire city of vegas and north vegas.

 

[Yo Mama]

I'm in Phoenix, and don't think I'll ever leave. I was born here, and always think how lucky I am vs. areas that are hostile to individual liberty. When people move here all I ask is that they be friendly to how we do things here, and they help keep our rights in tact.

With that said, yes it's hot here, I'd rather that vs. snow. Phoenix's economy is coming back strong,....go figure new Gov and all.

Phoenix has so many good things going for it, but you also should know there are also places to avoid that are not safe. Some neighborhoods are still very segregated and don't take kindly to outsiders. We have the immigration issue still going strong, and it's not uncommon to see protests.

Open or concealed carry is legal anywhere that it's NOT specifically prohibited or posted for no firearms.

Kinda. Ability for carry is determined by permit or none needed. There are 3 places a permit is currently still needed:

1. School Zone (parking lot only)
2. Bars/Restaurants (can't be drinking)
3. Many mountain preserves/parks

 

[LeonCarr]

Phoenix

 

[Nuclear]

As far as guns go, absolutely Phoenix. I live near N. Scottsdale, great area, yeah the taxes are higher here, and there are some bad parts of Phoenix (just like every other city in the world), but overall I think AZ is a better place to live. We even have casinos, just not as over the top as Vegas.

My wife and I had the choice of relocating anywhere in the Western US, and Nevada was on the table, along with California, and we picked here.

 

[SatCong]

Phoenix!

 

[JohnBiltz]

I'd stay out of North Las Vegas, dangerous place. I moved from Vegas to Phoenix for economic reasons. I actually like the Vegas Valley a lot more. There is always something to do in Vegas, but it is not for everyone. It takes some discipline to live in Vegas. The economy tanked in Vegas after I left, work is going to be hard to find. I think the weather is better in Phoenix. Vegas gets a lot colder in the winter. You will probably see 20-30 hard freezes in Vegas, you may not see one at all in Phoenix.

 

[hang fire]

Uh, like night and day.

Vegas is more than a little tough on handguns and the carrying thereof.

In Phoenix no need to think about gun ranges unless you like company. The desert public land within a short drive from the city is open to shooting.

 

[mrvco]

Summerlin is ok, but (based on personal experience) I'd stay away from North Las Vegas until things turn around in Las Vegas.

That being said, I'd choose Phoenix over Las Vegas regardless.

 

[Liberty1776]

just my opinion from visiting, but my wife and I just got back from a couple week trip to Phoenix. loved it. the most gun friendly city I've ever seen. just a better atmosphere than Vegas. awful flat though and I don't know about the heat, but there's no way I'd consider any part of Vegas... I really enjoyed Phoenix. While my wife conducted her business, I went shooting, hunted down some out of the way diners, taco stands, bbq joints, etc. Had a dang good time and economically speaking, Phoenix is one of the only two large US cities with an expanding economy and health real estate market, comparatively speaking.

 

[Powers77]

Vegas does require "Blue Card" registration of handguns. I got my CCW here last year and its not a bid deal to get. Typical pay the fees and wait for it to come as long as you are legal to get it. As others have said we picked Summerlin over N. Vegas. I'd also consider Henderson. N. Vegas is not a safe area.
I've lived in Phx and now Vegas albeit 25 years apart. Vegas is windy a bit more and gets a little cooler in the winter but in general the weather is pretty awesome. Always something to do in Vegas. Friends and family WILL come visit (good and bad). I liked PHX very much as well. Biggest thing I don't like about PHX is the traffic. Too much of a big city in that vein. Vegas traffic is generally pretty good as long as you are not on the strip itself and that is easily avoided.
A bigger consideration might be employment. We are at 14%+ here in Vegas right now. Not sure what PHX is at. Just saw an article that Tucson is a great place to buy a home right now and has 7% unemployment. Very nice place if you have never been there. Only downside I noted is the road system is not good, and is kind of hard to get around.
And finally, I've found its always better to error on the side of what the "Girlfriend/Wife" wishes to do. Life is just more pleasant that way.
I really like it here in Vegas, but it is not for everyone.

 

[musicman10_1]

Phoenix!! Vegas is a neat place to visit but I would not want to live there. Phoenix metro area has everything you want and is probably the most gun-friendly place I've ever been.

 

[Joe Link]

Wow guys, thanks for all the great input! I cannot believe Clark County requires handgun registration! This is exactly why I wanted to post this thread, to get input and see if there's anything I wasn't considering. That kills it for me and my idea of living on (or just off) the strip for a while. We were also under the impression that both Phoenix and Vegas had similar (poor) economies.

Keep it coming guys

 

[Powers77]

The "Blue Card" has city of Las Vegas Police Department information on it so it "may" be just a city thing. All I know is I had to get one for each gun and when I buy a new one they fill one out. It is gun specific and only on handguns.

 

[Chief 101]

if that is your only choices it is Arizona for sure

 

[ObsidianOne]

Phoenix by far. For ALL the reasons stated above. Not to mention, open carrying on the strip can be a frustrating experience. A lot of tourists are from places (either states or countries) that they don't see guns being carried (or it's illegal to have firearms) and they call the police quite frequently. Which could be a hassle if you're trying to enjoy yourself.

 

[armoredman]

The nice thing is there are many suburbs of Phoenix to choose from, and you can live outside the city and still reap the benefits. My wife and I are considering a move to north Phoenix if I can find affordable housing there.

 

[SatCong]

armoredman The nice thing is there are many suburbs of Phoenix to choose from, and you can live outside the city and still reap the benefits. My wife and I are considering a move to north Phoenix if I can find affordable housing there.

Come out to Goodyear.