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Questions from a visitor

mdak06

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2013
Messages
59
Location
Manchester, New Hampshire
Hi all,

I'm going to be visiting a relative in central NC this coming weekend. I also may be spending some time in other nearby areas (not sure exactly where yet - could be anywhere from Greensboro to Raleigh). I read the flyer posted on a sticky here.

If I understand the basics correctly, OC is legal for any non-prohibited person in most public areas of most cities (except in Chapel Hill). Carrying in a car must be "in plain view." Carrying openly is prohibited in state parks, state / federal / LE buildings, and public gatherings of sorts. If I've got any of this wrong, please let me know.

I have a few requests for clarification --

* Is there a prohibition on open carry within 1000 feet of a school (and not just on the school grounds itself)?

* Does the "any establishment where alcoholic beverages are both sold and consumed" apply to ordinary restaurants that serve alcohol? The opencarry.org map regarding "restaurant carry" suggests that it is lawful to OC in a restaurant that serves alcohol, but NC 14-269.3 seems to suggest otherwise.

* Do locations owned by the National Park Service in NC permit or prohibit open carry?

* Is carrying a basic pocketknife around in a pocket prohibited?

* Does the prohibition on an "assembly where a fee has been charged" include places like a movie theater? Or a concert where you pay an admission fee?

* Are there any decent gun ranges (either outdoor or indoor) that are open to the public (not membership-based) that you would recommend in the Greensboro-to-Raleigh area?

* Any other thoughts on stuff I must know (that's not in the stickied pamphlet)?

Thanks in advance!

- Chip in DE
 

dmatting

Regular Member
Joined
May 25, 2011
Messages
445
Location
Durham, NC
I am not a lawyer and other disclaimers...

* Is there a prohibition on open carry within 1000 feet of a school (and not just on the school grounds itself)?
If I recall correctly, that is a federal law, so it applies here as well. I'm sure someone smarter than me can address that better than I just did, though.

* Does the "any establishment where alcoholic beverages are both sold and consumed" apply to ordinary restaurants that serve alcohol? The opencarry.org map regarding "restaurant carry" suggests that it is lawful to OC in a restaurant that serves alcohol, but NC 14-269.3 seems to suggest otherwise.
Restaurant carry in NC, with respect to OC, is only legal in restaurants that do not serve alcohol. For example, you are good to go in Golden Corral but not in Applebees. If they serve beer, wine, and/or spirits, it is verboten.

You are allowed to carry concealed in those establishments IF AND ONLY IF you have a concealed carry permit (NC recognizes all 50 states) and the establishment is not posted against carry.

* Do locations owned by the National Park Service in NC permit or prohibit open carry?
National Parks allow open carry. Just don't go into any of the buildings.

* Is carrying a basic pocketknife around in a pocket prohibited?
As long as the blade is shorter than 4" (I think that is the max length for a folding pocket knife). I don't believe there is any restriction if you open carry your knife. Again, I would defer to someone more knowledgeable in this particular matter.

* Does the prohibition on an "assembly where a fee has been charged" include places like a movie theater? Or a concert where you pay an admission fee?
Yes it does.

* Are there any decent gun ranges (either outdoor or indoor) that are open to the public (not membership-based) that you would recommend in the Greensboro-to-Raleigh area?
IDK

* Any other thoughts on stuff I must know (that's not in the stickied pamphlet)?
NC is a one party consent recording state - that means you can record any conversation that you are a participant in without divulging that information to those you are conversing with. Use a digital recorder at all times.

NC is also NOT a stop and ID state. If you are open carrying and stopped by the police they need RAS to stop you. Know your rights.
 

papa bear

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
2,222
Location
mayberry, nc
welcome to NC, i hope you enjoy your visit

as DMAT said NC recognizes all CHPs. There is a lot of P4P here.

you can carry on school grounds in your car as long as you have a CHP. if you don't your firearm may be secured as of the Federal rules of travel. that is if you are parking on school property. if you are traveling
you don't have to

as far as restaurants if they don't serve alcohol. you are good to go. as long as they are not posted. you can hidey carry in one that serves alcohol as long as you have a CHP. see, lots of P4P, thanks to GRNC

as for vehicles. in sight, good to go. out of sight,but out of reach, no problem. in reach out of sight a NO, NO

signs hold no weight to law. if someone asks you to leave you must (as long as they represent the business, just anyone can't ask you to leave) you can be trespassed if you refuse to leave.

we have a law in NC called "going armed to the terror of the public" (GATTTOTP). works like most brandishing laws. courts have decided carrying in a holster does not count

DMATT was right on the national parks and the knife law (in general)

if you get a chance come on up to Mayberry, and i will buy you a pork chop sandwich
 

mdak06

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2013
Messages
59
Location
Manchester, New Hampshire
Hi all,


Just wanted to say thanks for the tips. I ended up going to my cousin's co-worker's place and we shot in his backyard for a bit, so I never did make it to a local range down there. Didn't have any problems with open carry, although I didn't go to a ton of places there. Other than the co-worker's place, went to a few restaurants, an outlet center, and a local supermarket. All went well.


Thanks again!
 
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