Texan visiting Prescott during the holidays

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(I tried the search function and couldn't find any specific answers, and since packing.org seems to be down for the count, I thought that I would post here)

Hello all,

Been a lurker for a while, popping in occasionally and reading some threads.

I am from Houston, have my CHL and have been carrying here for a while now. I have never had a chance to OC, as I have not actually visited an OC state since I obtained my CHL.

However, my father recently acquired a house up in Prescott (he has been looking for a place to semi-retire, and I think he has found it.) I will be traveling to Prescott for about a week at the end of December to see him and my mom.

So....I want to open carry while I am there.

I have read Arizona's firearms laws, pertaining to concealed carry/open carry and believe that I have a firm grasp of what they mean. They are not too different from Texas law - with of course the exception of open carry. So, I am familiar with concealed carry, but not at all with open carry.

So, the two main questions I have are these:

-How is open carry looked upon in Prescott? I understand that it is practically on Gunsite's doorstep, and I would imagine that residents would be used to OC in the area, but I would like to hear from some folks who live there or who OC there regularly.

-Indian Reservations: I cannot find any information on this, and have only hearsay to go by on this. I may very well be doing some traveling on Indian land. Will I be able to carry, either open or concealed? I have heard of people having their handguns confiscated (and not returned) for carrying on Indian land. (Like I said, it is just hearsay, and I am not inclined to believe it, but once again I would like some first-hand accounts.)

I would appreciate any help that you can offer - I would like to make my first OC experience go as smoothly as possible.


Thanks,

Eric

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well first of all you have reciprocity (Texas) for Concealed carry with AZ so you have that option.

I am from phoenix but I have a summer home in Prescott.

1) Prescott is reaonably open carry friendly. Ruger manufactures near there, Davidsons is there. J and G is there. Gunsite is near there. Most people will not give you a second look. There are alot of californians moving in, especially in the Prescott valley (suburb) area. Sometimes they almost freak out.

2) DO NOT CARRY A LOADED GUN (chambered or mag inside gun) off of a highway onto any indian reservation in arizona. Highway travel is exempted (see below). If you must go onto the Reservation, pick yourself up a lockable container that is designed to carry guns, unload it and place it out of reach in your car. This will shield you from most bs.

If you carry a loaded or unlocked gun onto Indian reservations there is a 99% chance that the police will steal it from you. This is not a joke. Some people say that the cops are getting better there: I have not seen it. My cousin has had two guns stolen from him that way, and both were unloaded (but not locked) at the time.

Arizona law protects you if you are traveling on a highway or state-funded roadway, and there you can carry a loaded gun openly, even if that roadway passes through a reservation. Howver, when you stop to get gas or go to a casino you are fair game if it is not unloaded and locked away in your car.

Stay off the reservation, and there are quite a few in and around prescott. Other than that you will have no problems.

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Thanks for the reply...I was a bit concerned that no one seemed to know anything about OCing in the area.

I love AZ gun laws...as much as I love TX, we are really behind the curve on firearms rights.

I really appreciate the info regarding carry on Indian reservations. I was pretty skeptical of this, but...damn, stealing law-abiding citizens' firearms! I will make sure to keep my handguns locked and unloaded when I am off the highway.

(As a side note, how in the blazing hell do they get away with this?!? It is apparent that it is nothing short of blatant robbery, and I am surprised that no one has taken them to court for this thievery. I don't understand how they can get away with this.)

I am glad to hear that Prescott is no stranger to OC - I have heard that the Kalifornia presence has been increasing in the area, though. As long as the local law enforcement folks understand the legalities, the Kalis can freak out all they want.

Thanks!

-Eric

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First of all the theft of the firearms by the Reservation police obviously goes unreported by the cop involved. Second, they threaten you with charges for illegal carry of firearms if you make a fuss about it on scene.

Technically you are not law-abiding because you carried onto a reservation without proper unloading and locking. But thats a BS reservation law obviously

The PD in Prescott is reasonably well informed. If you consider yourself to be rough looking make sure you use a belt holster (which is a bizzare section of the law here) and have your CCW permit from Texas on you. This is to avoid being hassled if they think you look sketchy. If you are still worried carry a printed copy of ARS 13-3102 ( you can find it easily online) which is the code that covers firearm carry laws. BTW, you can carry loaded in your glovebox and it is considered open IF it is in a holster. Do not put a gun under your seat, it is concealed. Obivously being a Texas permit holder you are fine, but for reference.