Gun climate/culture in mountain states...

[checkmyswag]

Considering a move to:

Colorado
Wyoming
New Mexico
Idaho

What is the overall "gun culture" of each state? I know they're all gun friendly, but to what degree and any idiosyncrasies that would suprise me?
What are the areas of the state to avoid?

 

[Hypnogator]

Although I'm a Texas/Arizona/Iowa resident (depending on the time of the year), from my rather extensive travel experiences, I would rank the mountain states as: Wyoming, Idaho, New Mexico, then Colorado. All are gun-friendly, with Wyoming and Idaho being the most universally so. New Mexico has the advantage of a minimum of really bitterly cold winters, and Colorado has the double negative of very inflated real estate prices along with gun-hostile urban areas (primarily Denver).

 

[checkmyswag]

Colorado has the double negative of very inflated real estate prices along with gun-hostile urban areas (primarily Denver).

Where I'm at in TX has been infiltrated by Californians and from what I see of Colorado, it's going that way too.

 

[JohnM]

You left out Montana and Utah, two other states in the intermountain region.
Colorado is at the bottom of the list. The big glob of Denver is walking over most all the state, especially east of the divide.

 

[medalguy]

New Mexico is very gun friendly. Your car is an extension of your home, and you can have in your car whatever you have in your home. Imagine that. Lots of public land in most of the west so there's millions of acres of land (really) that you can just walk out and set up a target and shoot. Be careful of overshoot and you're fine.

Weather in NM is really nice, probably over 300 days of sunshine in Albuquerque, humidity is low all year, very pleasant winters unless you're in the extreme northern mountains, then it's all about the skiing.

 

[230RN]

Colorado is teetering on the brink of becoming a blue state. An enormous effort is being put forth by lefty-lib forces to tip it over. President Obama does not visit us that often because he likes to ski.

I expect to see many license plates from blue states in the next month, possibly from those who are coming here just in time for their drivers to become CO residents and be able to vote and become campaign workers. Merely anecdotal? Or a significant observation?

I don't know for sure, but I've seen it before in other critical election periods.

 

[Big_E]

Idaho is very gun friendly which is one reason I moved up here.

Since Boise is the "big" city you get some anti's but shooting/guns are still well accepted here. Except one man told me the DA and mayor are anti's (not sure if true or which positions they were).

When they air commercials for gun stores and stuff like "Buy a truck, get a gun." you know you are in good hands. Plus, there really aren't that many rules on hunting like caliber restrictions and such. Seems like everyone I meet are into outdoors things except most of my friends (go figure ).

 

[abq87120]

I lived in Albuquerque, NM for four years until 2010. Then I moved to Prescott AZ. ABQ is a fairly nice place to live. Nice sized town. Big but not huge.

You definitely want to get a carry ticket there. PM me if you want a reference for the very best CHL class. In most towns, you can stay out of the "bad" parts of town and be safe. In ABQ, the criminals come to you. I didn't have any incidents while living there but got educated watching the evening news.

The police there are pretty pro-active regarding gangs. But like all PDs, their job is really to arrest suspects AFTER they have committed a crime... Not to provide personal security for my family and me.

If you move to ABQ, keep your gun where you can draw it while driving. Take your keys in your hand and lock your car while filling up. Look around before unlocking and getting back in. Buy a very small and bright flash light to carry with you if you have to approach your car in a parking lot at night. Use it.

If you get rear-ended, especially a light one and especially, especially if the car in front of you also backs up, stay in the car and call the non-emergency cop number. Do not get out of your car until the cops show up. Keep the windows rolled up. Get a picture with your cell phone if you are approached.

While in your home, keep your gun on your coffee table while watching TV. Gangs have been known to break down doors. Even dressed like cops. There is a real good chance real cops would not do this if you are a straight arrow. I was always prepered to come up shooting if anyone had broken my door down.

NM is a state where you will be sued in civil court if you are involved in a shooting SD situation... Even if the cops do not charge you. It is also considered a "Gold Mine" state by the lawyers. You will probably shoot a Hispanic. You will probably have a Hispanic judge and certainly a Hispanic jury. The judges in NM are elected. And they are only interested in getting reelected. The "victim's" family, all 35 of them, will be sitting in the peanut gallery during the trial. The awards are humongous. I got a $1M umbrella policy while I lived there. It ran about $240 a year with USAA.

NM has the kind of legal environment where a person is not considered an alcoholic until they have double-digit DUI convictions. Pretty tough standard. The judges just turn them loose. I don't know why the cops even bother with DUIs. But they do. I guess it helps their crime statistics.

My experience with ABQ was a very good one. But be prepared to defend yourself. It can be a very dangerous place. And it's only four hours from ABQ to Mexico if you only drive five over the speed limit. Of course, there are no wet backs in NM acording to their state legislature. Sorry, I meant illegal aliens.

 

[Rob0321]

I expect to see many license plates from blue states in the next month, possibly from those who are coming here just in time for their drivers to become CO residents and be able to vote and become campaign workers. Merely anecdotal? Or a significant observation?

I just moved to Broomfield CO from Southern CA (Wasn't in CA by my choice, the Corps just likes the coasts), not all of those blue state plates are bad ;-)

 

[hermannr]

Of the one's you listed, I would be for ID, WY, NM, and CO, in that order. WA is a good state especially east of the Cascades, and OR isn't that bad either...again, especially east of the Cascades.

Depends on what you are looking for, what your priorities are what you income level is, and what you are trying to do tax wise. WA does not have a State income tax, but we do have a 7.5%+ sales tax (in Seattle it is almost 9%, where I live it is 7.7%. OR does not have a sales tax, but they have a monster income tax. ID has both a sales tax (minimal) and income tax (also minimal) Property cost and property tax is probably lowest in ID, OR the highest, with WA in between.

CPL in WA is inexpensive ($52.25 for 5 years), quick, 30 days max, and easy to obtain (no mandated training) if you are not a federally prohibited person.

OR and ID both require training for a CHL/CPL. All three states have mostly unrestricted, unlicensed open carry with ID having the lest restriction, WA close but no loaded carry in a vehicle unless you fit one of the exemptions, (Like outdoor recreation) or have a CPL, and OR allowing local governments to restrict some unlicensed carry.

 

[Quiet]

The Denver area of CO has been moving towards CA type gun control laws.
The rest of CO, is pro-gun and good-to-go.

 

[LawScholar]

Of the one's you listed, I would be for ID, WY, NM, and CO, in that order. WA is a good state especially east of the Cascades, and OR isn't that bad either...again, especially east of the Cascades.

Depends on what you are looking for, what your priorities are what you income level is, and what you are trying to do tax wise. WA does not have a State income tax, but we do have a 7.5%+ sales tax (in Seattle it is almost 9%, where I live it is 7.7%. OR does not have a sales tax, but they have a monster income tax. ID has both a sales tax (minimal) and income tax (also minimal) Property cost and property tax is probably lowest in ID, OR the highest, with WA in between.

CPL in WA is inexpensive ($52.25 for 5 years), quick, 30 days max, and easy to obtain (no mandated training) if you are not a federally prohibited person.

OR and ID both require training for a CHL/CPL. All three states have mostly unrestricted, unlicensed open carry with ID having the lest restriction, WA close but no loaded carry in a vehicle unless you fit one of the exemptions, (Like outdoor recreation) or have a CPL, and OR allowing local governments to restrict some unlicensed carry.

I'm curious why you rank ID over us in WY. We have permitless carry Bonus, no state income tax!

 

[JohnM]

Shh! We got enough people already.

 

[Iggy]

Yup, what JohnM sed. We're full.

That's a District Court Judge shootin' his .50 Cal at a rock 1000yd over thar across the crick.

You do kinda want to watch where you throws your shootin' mat though.

It's dangerous outchere!!

 

[hermannr]

I'm curious why you rank ID over us in WY. We have permitless carry Bonus, no state income tax!

No offense intended. My knowledge of WY consists of bucking a 80 MPH headwind in a motorhome and almost loosing it when past by a semi going the other way... and the fact that WY does not give the privilage of unrestricted unlicensed carry to outsiders.

I do know OR, WA, ID (and BC and Alberta) I've lived in all the above. Live in WA right now (retired). If ID did not have their CPL training requirement they would be way better than WA, If WA would get rid of the "no unlicensed loaded carry in a vehicle "except when ...." WA would be better than ID. OR trails both in that they allow some local governments to restrict loaded unlicensed carry. All three states allow form some unlicensed concealed carry, WA and ID being much more lenient than OR that way.

I have open carried in WA since 1970, never been hasseld, never been even asked to see my CPL (that does not mean that I have never talked to LE about my openly carried gu, inter actions like Hunting? or what is? nice looking gun? or when are you going to join our gun club)...I think WA has some pretty good carry laws, just a couple little things that need to go away, like the unloaded in a vehicle,,,,unless,,,,

Oh yes, WA does not have income tax either,

 

[LawScholar]

No offense intended. My knowledge of WY consists of bucking a 80 MPH headwind in a motorhome and almost loosing it when past by a semi going the other way... and the fact that WY does not give the privilage of unrestricted unlicensed carry to outsiders.

I do know OR, WA, ID (and BC and Alberta) I've lived in all the above. Live in WA right now (retired). If ID did not have their CPL training requirement they would be way better than WA, If WA would get rid of the "no unlicensed loaded carry in a vehicle "except when ...." WA would be better than ID. OR trails both in that they allow some local governments to restrict loaded unlicensed carry. All three states allow for some unlicensed concealed carry, WA and ID being much more lenient than OR that way.

I have open carried in WA since 1970, never been hasseld, never been even asked to see my CPL (that does not mean that I have never talked to LE about my openly carried gu, inter actions like Hunting? or what is? nice looking gun? or when are you going to join our gun club)...I think WA has some pretty good carry laws, just a couple little things that need to go away, like the unloaded in a vehicle,,,,unles,,,,

No offense taken, my friend!

And yeah...um...we have dragons here. Vicious, terrifying dragons. Everyone move along.

 

[CSC_Saint]

As a Colorado Springs resident, I have the privilege of living in the county with more concealed carry permits issued than any other county in CO. While there are many anti's from CA now residing in CO, they do mostly stay in the Denver area. But, yes, housing is on the pricier side in the Springs.

 

[checkmyswag]

I swear I'm not afraid of snakes...but walking up on that would move me into the definitely concerned column!

Never seen a rattler here in my part of TX, looks like you have them ALL there.

Thanks for the info all, been thinking about another good state for gun rights, good economy and decent government is Indiana!

 

[MachIVshooter]

The Denver area of CO has been moving towards CA type gun control laws.

They would like to, but C.R.S. CRS 29-11.7-101, 103 & 104 prevents them from being able to. They were granted home rule on their OC ban and AWB ban that existed prior to preemption, but were forced to comply with the statutes in all other respects. And their AWB only applies to Denver residents; It is perfectly lawful for me, an Elbert County Resident, to possess the > 20 round magazines or > 6 round autoloading shotguns within the city & county of Denver.

The rest of CO, is pro-gun and good-to-go.

Yes. Most of the state is very rural, conservative and gun friendly. It's really just Denver and the peoples republik of Boulder you want to avoid.

 

[Dr_B]

I'm in Idaho. North Idaho, in one of the pockets of liberals. Our mayor thought she could ban guns entirely in the city a while back, but was quickly corrected. The state is very gun friendly though. I'm comfortable and enjoying some freedoms here. Always got to be vigilant though, no matter where you live.

 

[Big_E]

Dr. B, where in North Idaho are you? I was considering a move to Cour d'Alene in the future. So I just want to be careful to avoid the anti's.

Idaho CCW training really isn't that hard to get. I was able to use my Hunter's Safety card from CA when I lived there. There are also other ways to cover the training requirement.

Dang, ABQ sounds really bad. I was considering it on my short list of places to move to.

 

[zeos]

5 gallons of kerosene, stat!

 

[SilentStalker]

Well, all I can say is I know several people that live in Wyoming and while you would think they would all be pro gun they are all anti's. And, according to them that seems to be the growing trend, but then again what could you expect them to say LOL?

 

[denton]

I'm an Idaho boy living in Utah.

I wouldn't say that the wind in SE Idaho and neighboring parts of Wyoming and Montana blows steady and hard, but when it stops, people fall over.

One great thing about Idaho is that it's relatively thinly populated, with lots of public land. The people I know there are absolute salt of the earth great people. Everybody pretty much knows everybody.

Utah is very gun friendly. If someone breaks into your home and puts your life or health in danger, and if you decide to shoot, you can't be sued and you can't be prosecuted. You can have a loaded gun in your car or your hotel room without a permit. With a permit, you can walk into a public school with a concealed firearm, or take a stroll across the University of Utah campus.

The climate here is better than where I grew up in Idaho. Winters are milder, and summers are not oppressively hot.

Employment opportunities are about as good as anywhere in the country, with the exception of North Dakota right now.

Cost of living is decent, and less in some of the more rural areas.

There are a lot more people here, and I can't plink with a 22 off my back porch. But all in all, we like it a lot.

 

[wyohome]

Shh! We got enough people already.

Yep