Which of the three is the most GUN FRIENDLY?

[target1911]

I have been thinking about moving. I am currently in TX. I am thinking about 3 other states and wanted to know how thier Gun Law differ from TX....for better or worse.....The states I am thinking about are Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. Which one is the most Gun Friendly?
Most important is the right to stand your ground.
Please no questions as to WHY I want to move, I want to keep this on track.

 

[Regolith]

I don't know much about NM, but from what I understand Arizona is a little bit more gun friendly than Nevada. Of course, it really depends on where at in Nevada (Clark County is more hostile than the rest of the state).

The nice thing about Nevada is there is a distinct lack of places you CAN'T shoot due to a large amount of public land. When I lived there, if I ever wanted to go shooting I drove fifteen minutes out of town and down the nearest canyon and set up my improvised range. Very convenient.

 

[Andrewsky]

I voted AZ. You should be able to open carry all day long w/ no permit in the Phoenix Metro area (3.5 million people) without getting hassled. It's an accepted practice.

The only weapon illegal to carry in AZ is nunchukas.

Bad things are: No carry in restaurants that serve alcohol. So, no guns allowed in Chili's, Applebee's, etc. You can't exactly buy a CCW permit over the counter.

Other than that, AZ has awesome gun laws. In the Phoenix area, there are tons of gun shops, ranges, and Wal Marts that stock guns and ammo.

There are also a few gun manufacturers in AZ.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Arizona, I believe.

Both Nevada and Arizona allow open carry.

The Arizona concealed carry permit does not require you to list your carry weapons.

Nevada now only requires that you enumerate your autos, while qualifying with any revolver covers all revolvers. Go figure. Nevada's most populous county (Clark County, where Las Vegas is) requires registration of handguns only. A "blue card" is required. This is ONLY in Southern Nevada, Clark County. Everywhere else in the state there is no paperwork after your purchase.

Both states allow face-to-face (paperless) transfers.

We have lots of AZ people on the board who can provide specifics.

I don't have enough data on New Mexico. Ilcylic may be able to help. He lives there.

What I DON'T know is the differences between rules of engagement. Nevada still has "duty to retreat" if possible, although I recall no cases where this has been an issue.

Rules of engagement are (to my mind) as important as the conditions of carry. It may be cool to open carry, but imagine having a gun on your hip and exercising your "duty to retreat."

So, basically, there's more to it than just "gun friendly."

Resources include: http://www.gunlaws.org/ (duh, gun laws), http://www.packing.org/ (though they are not always up), http://www.opencarry.org/ (that's a tough one).

 

[Guitargod1985]

From my very own, albeit limited, experience, I would think that of the aforementioned locations, Arizona would be most supportive of your rights. I am not aware if there is currenty a Castle Doctrine in AZ or any of the others, however I would imagine that this is indeed the case. I also know that open carry is legal in Arizona and there's a very nice training facility in the state (GunSite, I believe?).

One thing is for sure: that dry climate in any of those states is far better for a firearm's finish than the sticky icky we have here in Florida.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Nevada now only requires that you enumerate your autos, while qualifying with any revolver covers all revolvers.

Arfin, When did that change? When I got my Nevada CFP (in Clark County), I had to list EVERY gun I might want to carry, including same models with different serial numbers--i.e. I have 3 identical Colt Compact 1991A1 and they had to be listed individually. Worse, I had to qualify with EVERY gun I wanted listed. Let me tell you, qualifying with a Baby Browning is a booger.

The one difference in favor of NV (from AZ) is the ability to carry almost anywhere. In NV, you can carry in places that serve alcohol, in casinos...pretty much anywhere that isn't federally restricted.

In favor of AZ: Not exactly firearm related, but there are no restrictions on automatic knives, and their permit is a concealed weapon permit--you can legally conceal and carry any legal weapon.

One more rather MAJOR advantage of AZ is the state law preempting civil lawsuits in the case of a "good shoot". In other words, if you legally defend yourself or another, you are protected by law from being bankrupted in a lawsuit by the person you shot or their family. Not sure if NV has the same protection.

 

[Guitargod1985]

Florida also has the immunity from civil liability for use of justifiable force. IMO, it should be a law which every state enacts. But then again, in more sensible world, the dumb crackhead who tries to kill you (or his/her family) would have their case thrown out of court.

OOPS! Sure enough, guys. The crap filled up in my right hand while I just began to wish in the other. If you'll excuse me, please.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Arfin, When did that change? When I got my Nevada CFP (in Clark County), I had to list EVERY gun I might want to carry, including same models with different serial numbers--i.e. I have 3 identical Colt Compact 1991A1 and they had to be listed individually.

This last session.

It is my current understanding (after talking with a CCW instructor) that only the makes and models of the autopistols are required, and any revolver qualifies them all. If Anderson (D, Reno) hadn't messed with it, we'd have something approximating AZ carry.

gunsmith actually has a current NV CCW. Perhaps he can illuminate.

eyesac and thexrayboy may have some insight.

 

[BikerRN]

Of the three states you listed I selected AZ. I do think Texas is a better choice though.
For me, one nice thing about AZ and AZ law is, as an "Active Duty" LEO No Firearms and the rules of not being allowed to carry in places that serve alcohol for "On Premise Consumption" don't apply.
AZ has good CCW laws for "Active Duty" LEO's, not so good for retirees and CWP Holders.

Biker

 

[LeonCarr]

Stay in Texas

Of the three you listed, Arizona.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[armoredman]

AZ. Castle Doctrine in place. No civil liabilty for justified conduct in self defense/defense of a third person. Shall-Issue CCW permit, 5 years, 8 hour class, no class for renewal, no fingerprints for renewal. Open carry legal. No magazine ban, no AWB, no ammo restrictions, no purchase frequency restrictions, and we are Class 3/NFA friendly. You may carry your legal NFA firearm on your CCW permit,(no listing of firearms), so if you wish to sling your registered M16 under your trench coat, it's legal with valid permit.
State pre-emption law on the books, no county can make you register squat - sorry, NV. No registration, no licensing, no permit to purchase, no FOID, no waiting period, (beside the 15 minutes to do the Brady check), no requirement to do private sales through an FFL. We enacted a law allowing firearms instruction in public schools, with range time required to pass. Looking forward to making this mandatory after our Demo gov leaves, just like drivers' ed.
Ummm, what did I forget? CR FFL don't get hassled, NFA applications get signed off on, many public ranges, including some free ones. Ben Avery, one of the largest shooting facilities in the nation, was declared a jewel of the state by our Demo gov.
Our laws get better each year, not worse. Lots of room for good gun people. I wish some more manufacturers would move here.
Oh, yeah - NO HUMIDITY TO RUST YOUR GUNS!

 

[Andrewsky]

By the way, there was a scuffle in the AZ legislature a few months ago. Two female congresswomen, one Democrat and one republican were debating concealed carry. I believe the Republican carried a .38 and wished to carry it inside government buildings with her. The Democrat carried a 9mm everywhere except government buildings but thought it was a bit overboard.

AZ is so pro-gun even Democrats carry guns!

 

[Nitrogen]

Texas. Out of the ones you listed, Arizona.

Texas allows you to carry in resturants that serve alcohol (not bars) while Arizona bans carry ANYWHERE alcohol is served.

Texas also protects your right to carry by requiring a very specific sign by private businesses to carry, while Arizona, any sign will do.

Granted, AZ allows open carry, but IMHO thats not worth much.

 

[RobXD9]

I'll go ahead and throw New Mexico in as a great CCW state.

New Mexico is actually pretty good with conceal carry law.

There are a few draw backs to New Mexico though -

1) (The biggest drawback) - No Civil Immunity on Clean Shoots
Yes. In New Mexico you can shoot a man trying to rape an innocent child.
Yes. You can be sued by his family. And his mother will take the stand weeping and tell the jury how, "He was such a good boy. Never got in any trouble and always sent flowers on Mother's Day."

2) Liquor Prohibition
The recent session improved on this statute. At the very least you can conceal carry when you go grocery shopping now. But if you want to go eat out anywhere that serves liquor for on-premises, your piece has to eat outside.

Not being totally familiar with Arizona though, I'll toss out some great benefits of New Mexico law...

1) Open Carry
Do I need to say anymore?
Personally, I prefer to carry concealed. No reason to paint a target on my back. But Open or concealed - I think this should always be a personal choice, not a legal one.

2) Car Carry
Any way. Any how. Loaded. Unloaded. Concealed on your person. Open on your person. In the glove box. In the "console" (since that seems to legally be a different place to some judges) Or on the seat next to you.

3) "No Weapons" signs mean squat.
Just make sure you leave if they ask to avoid a criminal trespass.


Just my thoughts.

-Rob

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Of the choices...Arizona. Among the 50 states? Look for places with low population density, few metro areas, generally conservative politics, and a strong tradition of individual responsibility. OR...places where crime is SO rampant that the citizens have pressured the lawmakers into (at least) giving them a fighting chance. Me? I'll stay in Kentucky. Where, if you show-up without a gun, we'll FIND one for ya'!

 

[Andrewsky]

No gun signs in private places don't carry any legal weight in AZ.

 

[armoredman]

Umm, yes they do. You are required to follow any "reasonable request" by an owner or operator, and a sign is considered a reasonable request. We will go after the guns in resteraunts restriction after this governor goes home, too much hoopla calling it "guns in bars", when that ain't what is goin' on, Charline!
We have required safe storage of firearms in public places - you go to court, they HAVE to safely store your sidearm for you, and give you the key. Try THAT in Cali! We almost got it improved even better, but Napalitano broke Demo, and vetoed it. Next year, even better.
Oh, yeah, we passed an anti-Katrina confiscation law too - the ONLY thing the government can do is move large stores of ammunition out of the way of hazardous conditions. No confiscation of arms, ammo, or components allowed.
We also changed the law that if you carry without your permit, (I left my wallet at home, officer!), it's only a petty offense. No permit revocation.
I think the only state with better gun laws MIGHT be Alaska. Too flippin' cold, all that frozen white stuff all over the place.

 

[target1911]

Thanks for all of the opinions/facts. It looks as tho AZ is winning. Keep em coming.

 

[Regolith]

Oh, one more thing I forgot to add: Nevada doesn't have a personal income tax. And the state sales tax is fairly low (~7%). The state gets most of their revenue from casinos and gold mines.

 

[3rdpig]

Been in AZ for 12 years, moved here from the Seattle area. Good things about AZ, open carry is legal (but rare in the Phx Metro area), CCW is shall issue and quite easy to obtain. NFA items are legal and the chief LEO's in most areas sign off readily on any needed forms. Guns in cars are legal with or without a CCW. There is darn near a gun store on every corner. There's a gun show almost every other weekend. FTF private sales are legal as long as it's to a state resident. Gun ranges abound though it's getting harder and harder to find a good open desert shooting spot that's legal. There are no magazine or assault weapon bans. You can rent full auto weapons at several different places in town to shoot on the range. Places like Midway USA will ship ammo and mags here. We've got a good castle doctrine law in place. We've got a "no duty to retreat" law in place. We've got a no gun confiscations in case of disaster law in place. Our Walmarts still sell guns and ammo. And our Democrat governor, believe it or not, just signed into law a bill that puts big fines on businesses who knowingly hire illegals, and but the onus of proof on the business owner. It's being said that 200 illegals a day are leaving for greener pastures, probably New Mexico or California.

The bad? We can't seem to get the law in place that allows CCW'ers to carry into establishments that serve alcohol. In fact, we seem to have given up trying. The above mentioned Democrat vetos it every time.

Can't think of anything else offhand.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Friendly Reminder

This forum is now LEGAL.

Please do not confuse with Legal & Political.

Political has gone bye-bye.

If you notice a minor edit in your post that "corrects" the spelling of a word, it's just a little tweak to ensure we've eliminated the political thing.

The thread is fine. Just keep it on the legal track.

Thanks.

 

[Ivy Mike]

NV is certainly gun friendly and despite some of its more colorful traditions, is also fairly conservative.
CCW is handled by the individual county but any permit is good state wide. The biggest drawback to CCW in NV is that we have reciprocity with nobody. Having to list and qualify with whatever guns you want to carry is a bit of a hassle, but at least you know anyone carrying legally has some idea of what to do with the gun. Registration in Clark County kinda stinks but thanks to laws passed in 1989, the state law is final except for things like safe discharge ordnances.

There is no responsibility to retreat in NV. You do have to give warning first by law, but that is pretty minor and is something I trained to do anyway (i.e. telling bad guy to cease being bad or else I will defend myself)

You are not immune from civil liability, however the conservative leanings of the state tend to work in the good guy's favor. Also, the laws are pretty clear on when you are OK to shoot and when you are not. Obviously I am not a lawyer and you shouldn't take my statement as legal advice.

No state income tax and there is no lack of wide open spaces to go shooting anything you want. NV is class 3 friendly.

-edit- Forgot to add that NV places no restrictions on carrying in bars or restaurants that serve alcohol nor does it prohibit carry in liquor or grocery stores. Private property may set their own rules though. NV does have laws against carrying while intoxicated with the legal limit (for carry) being 0.10% BAC.

 

[Frog48]

"Stay in Texas" would be my initial advice. But if you must move, Arizona is the place to be.

 

[Zoogster]

Large chunks of rural AZ is indian reservations, or one must travel through such a place. These locations can have thier own laws and some prohibit carry. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Regolith]

Oh, yeah - NO HUMIDITY TO RUST YOUR GUNS!

Nevada has even LESS humidity...they don't get the annual monsoons you guys do.