NOpen carry in Arizona...

[BigBlueEyedDevil]

So I drove out of California into Arizona. I was in Flagstaff, Pinetop, Scottsdale and Phoenix. I was out there to look at graduate school in Flagstaff and Scottsdale. I have been looking forward to open carry for a while now.

Only problem was that I didn't have a proper holster. By the time I bought one, I was already in Scottsdale for the remainder of my trip. Driving around Scottsdale, all the latte drinking city folk gave me the impression that if I were to open carry in the city of Scottsdale and surrounding area, I would be the next "man with a gun" call on an episode of "COPS."

I did not see one person open carrying my whole trip? Did I just miss that crowd?

 

[R.H. Lee]

It's been awhile since I've been to AZ, but I think Scottsdale is a yuppie liberal hellhole. If ya wanna open carry, go on down to Tucson.

 

[TABING]

I've opened carried everywhere in AZ, but feel most comfortable anywhere outside the Phoenix area. However, the Phoenix area is the place where you're most likely to need to be carrying.

Just get a CCW when you become resident, it's pretty easy, $50. fee and $50-75 for a the CCW course.

 

[Old Fuff]

Boy ... Just because you were in Scottsdale doesn't mean you were in Arizona. That unfortunate area is overpopulated with transplants from California. If you visit the rural areas you'll find that open carry isn't even noticed. If you must reside in the big cities (we only have two - Phoenix and Tucson) get a CCW and go in peace.

 

[BigBlueEyedDevil]

I have already signed up for the CCW class so I can get my carry permit.

I must say the highlight of the trip was shooting a full auto MP5 at the Scottsdale Gun Club.

 

[Zonamo]

The Valley is the Illinoid and California part of the state. But even in Tucson it is rare to see anyone carrying openly since CCW laws passed.

But if you visit Wilcox, Safford, Prescott, Show Low, Winslow, Ash Fork, Springerville, Clifton, Morenci, Payson, Globe, or Wickenburg, among other small Arizona towns, (sorry to anyone if I missed yours) you will eventually see people carrying without causing mass panic in the streets.

You will also get to see the prettier parts of the state while you are at it.

 

[wasrjoe]

I've seen open carry a couple of times over on the west side of the valley (Avondale area). Probably them good for nuthin' Buckeye boys.

 

[1911Ron]

Whatta trying to say about us Buckeye boys We's is proud to carry open. Yes sadly Scottsdale has gone upscale and gotten away from its roots.

 

[BigBlueEyedDevil]

But if you visit Wilcox, Safford, Prescott, Show Low, Winslow, Ash Fork, Springerville, Clifton, Morenci, Payson, Globe, or Wickenburg, among other small Arizona towns, (sorry to anyone if I missed yours) you will eventually see people carrying without causing mass panic in the streets.

I did go through Show Low, Pinetop, Winslow, Payson and some others. I really liked those places. Only problem was that I did not have the proper holster.

 

[Gunsnrovers]

I am in Arizona 3~6 times a year to visit family. Most of the time is in North Central Pheonix, but we get off to smaller towns to explore with each trip.

I used to see a lot more open carry when I first started going out there in 1993, but it's not nearly as common now with CCW's laws. Every so often I'll spot someone, but I've never looked long enough to gauge reactions.

If my wife finally caves in, I hope to become a resident.

My biggest fear for NV, AZ, OR, and WA is that all the California escapees will take their real estate $ to these states and bring their politices with them. I know it's already bad in many areas. Thankfully, common sense still seems to hold some footing in Phoenix. The big to do about residential areas encroaching on Ben Avery last year comes to mind.

 

[mustanger98]

The proper holster. That's a Mexican Loop or Cheyenne on a 40-loop cartridge belt, right? With a Ruger's Vaquero in .45Colt?

Scottsdale Liberals...
***in best Jack Palance voice*** City folk...

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Lots of AZ has been destroyed by the Kali crowd who fled there and then immediately tried to make it like Kali (typical dumba$$ move).

Therefore, I wouldn't do the open carry stuff much unless you're in the smaller towns.

 

[Mike Hull]

I've lived here 16 years, and have seen very few people carry openly.

There are 2-3 up here, and I only know that, because I've seen them at block yard sales we've had over the years.

 

[3rdpig]

I've lived in Scottsdale for 12 years and I rarely see anyone open carry anymore except LEO's and Security. I often travel north to the Prescott area and south to Tucson, and don't see anymore open carry there than I do in Snottsdale. In urban and suburban areas, concealed carry is, IMHO, the preffered method to carry your weapons.

 

[Len_in_Phoenix]

The last time I carried openly in Snottsdale a woman in McDonalds asked me to write her neighbor a ticket for letting her dog poop in her yard. I guess I'm happier with the "man with gun = cop" assumption than the "man with gun = criminal" way of thinking.

I've had my permit for 2 years now and only practice open carry on special occasions.

Len in PHoenix

 

[Black Majik]

My Arizona experience was similar, I saw only one person open carrying.

Ironically, it was in Scottsdale. The guy was carrying a compact Glock.

P.S. check out the 1911forum. We're doing another shoot, I remember you participating in the thread for the last one. Just a fyi.

 

[Zonamo]

The issue of open carry is not about preference. Personally, I prefer to carry concealed and thanks to ARS 13-3112, we have been able to do so in Arizona since 1994. Nor is it surprising that with thousands obtaining permits since 1994 the customary practice of carrying openly as guaranteed to citizens of Arizona by our Constitution has declined.

But this idea that those who choose to carry openly should be viewed askance, that we should accept as “normative†the belief that the very sight of an individual bearing arms will "naturally" engender palpitations and panic among young and old, that simply wearing a gun in plain view is socially repugnant, is a foreign concept that I wish had stayed behind in places like New York, New Jersey, and California. Arizona is diminished by the imposition of this East Coast cultural attitude.

So whether you prefer to carry concealed or not, it is still a sad day when hoplophobic views brought to Arizona by immigrants from gun-fearing states erode longstanding Arizona traditions to the point where people cringe and cower at the sight of citizens exercising their rights under the State Constitution.

This issue of open carry is not about preference. It is about rights and how society views the exercise of those rights.

Arizona Constitution

We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.

Article 2-Declaration of Rights, Section 26-Bearing Arms:

"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be impaired"

 

[Mrs. Armoredman]

Well said Sir...

Someone tried to tell me I wasn't allowed to protect my 4 year old son. I had the AZ law for ammo against them. If someone ever tells me I can't protect my son again I will thow this in thier face to.



Arizona Constitution

We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.

Article 2-Declaration of Rights, Section 26-Bearing Arms:

"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be impaired"

 

[armoredman]

I used to see open carry all the time. I knew a guy who loved to ride his Honda scooter, (flame paint job - yes, I AM serious) and an AK on his back, loaded. Cops stopped him at least once to ask what he was doing, but he was NOT breaking any laws! I have been asked to leave several places over the years for open carry, and with one exception, all of those places are now closed. Blockbuster took down thier signs! After CCW passed, most of us went to CCW, even though we had to jump through some moderate hoops for it. So our "gun culture" is dissapearing behind the curtain of CCW, and the visitors from New Jersey and Cali don't wet thier Depends over a legal sidearm. It is funny, however.
AZ recognizes the importance of carry, enshrined it in no uncertain terms, and protects it with pre-emption and other good laws. We have had Calirefugees try to change things to thier stinkhole type laws - nope. We aren't having any of that here, thank you very much.....
AZ permits are resident/non-resident. All you have to do is spend the 16 hours inside our borders to take the class - we'll mail it to your home address. Turnaround is about 2 weeks. Come visit soon, and bring ammo!