cirrusly
Regular Member
Hi All,
I'm taking a weekend trip to NC. I'm departing here in a few hours from Virginia.
In researching I understood OC through NC is legal in a vehicle assuming the handgun was in plain sight; usually placed on the seat openly, or on the dashboard. I just called the North Carolina Attorney General's office. I asked for concurrence in the legality of this. The response:
Me "Good afternoon. I am a Virginia resident who is visiting North Carolina this weekend. I plan on traveling with my firearm for self-defense purposes. I want to ensure I'm within the bounds of the law. Could you or an officer answer a few questions regarding the transport of my firearm through North Carolina?"
Attorney General Representative "Yes, what are the questions?"
Me "I understand I can have the firearm clearly visible in the vehicle, such as on the passenger seat. Correct?"
Attorney General Representative "Do you have a concealed carry permit?"
Me "No Ma'am."
Attorney General Representative "Then the gun needs to be locked in the trunk of the vehicle where it is not accessible to the driver and all passengers."
Me "This is contrary to what I read online. I thought open carry is legal in vehicle within North Carolina? So it is not legal for me to have my handgun on the passenger seat next to me, clearly visible?"
Attorney General Representative "The officer can not clearly see the firearm on the seat until HE is ON TOP of you, so is illegal."
Me "So to clarify: Open Carry within a vehicle in North Carolina, is illegal."
Attorney General Representative "Yes."
This obviously defeats the purpose of having a firearm as a tool for self-defense in a life threatening situation while driving late at night. Is this a true claim? It is coming directly from the Office of the Attorney General of North Carolina. I'll stick to carrying legally in Virginia and leave the handgun home this weekend.
Attorney General's Office, North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
Telephone: 919-716-6400
I'm taking a weekend trip to NC. I'm departing here in a few hours from Virginia.
In researching I understood OC through NC is legal in a vehicle assuming the handgun was in plain sight; usually placed on the seat openly, or on the dashboard. I just called the North Carolina Attorney General's office. I asked for concurrence in the legality of this. The response:
Me "Good afternoon. I am a Virginia resident who is visiting North Carolina this weekend. I plan on traveling with my firearm for self-defense purposes. I want to ensure I'm within the bounds of the law. Could you or an officer answer a few questions regarding the transport of my firearm through North Carolina?"
Attorney General Representative "Yes, what are the questions?"
Me "I understand I can have the firearm clearly visible in the vehicle, such as on the passenger seat. Correct?"
Attorney General Representative "Do you have a concealed carry permit?"
Me "No Ma'am."
Attorney General Representative "Then the gun needs to be locked in the trunk of the vehicle where it is not accessible to the driver and all passengers."
Me "This is contrary to what I read online. I thought open carry is legal in vehicle within North Carolina? So it is not legal for me to have my handgun on the passenger seat next to me, clearly visible?"
Attorney General Representative "The officer can not clearly see the firearm on the seat until HE is ON TOP of you, so is illegal."
Me "So to clarify: Open Carry within a vehicle in North Carolina, is illegal."
Attorney General Representative "Yes."
This obviously defeats the purpose of having a firearm as a tool for self-defense in a life threatening situation while driving late at night. Is this a true claim? It is coming directly from the Office of the Attorney General of North Carolina. I'll stick to carrying legally in Virginia and leave the handgun home this weekend.
Attorney General's Office, North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
Telephone: 919-716-6400