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Laws and carry cards

Rickjames

New member
Joined
Nov 15, 2008
Messages
5
Location
West Jordan, , USA
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So I have been working hard to know the laws in case of a confrontation with a less than educated law dog. A few of us here at work decided to make a little card with all applicable laws that would help in educating when stopped. Something small that will fit in our wallets. My question is this...

Where can I find the most up to date and "for sure" laws that apply to open carry and more importantly, open carry with CCP?
 

utbagpiper

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Joined
Jul 5, 2006
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4,061
Location
Utah
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Go to http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/code.htm and read the actual code for yourself.

Most of the laws governing carry of firearms are found in 76-10-5xx, with the concealed weapons permit itself defined in 53-5-7xx, and the definition of "schools" found in [font="Arial,Helvetica"]76-3-203.2.

Bear in mind that you will find VERY little about openly carrying a firearm. Rather, you will find that most prohibitions on carrying a firearm relate to concealed firearms or "loaded" firearms rather than OC firearms that are not "loaded.

The problem with proving what you can do to an LEO type is you won't find any law that says, "it is legal to openly carry a Utah unloaded gun even without a permit." What you have to do is show him that statute he thinks applies to you (such as the prohibition on carrying a loaded or concealed gun in 76-10-504/505 do NOT apply to you because your gun is neither concealed nor "loaded" as that term is defined. Or that while it is "loaded" you are not in violation because your permit exempts you from that prohibition while not imposing any burden on you to actually conceal. Put another way, if your gun were legally concealed pursuant to a permit, but not loaded would he think you in violation of the law for choosing not to load your gun?

In the unlikely event of a run in with a police officer who doesn't know the law, I suggest a low-key approach rather than being too forceful. Bottom line, he CAN arrest you for darn near anything and then you get to incur the cost and hassle of either convincing a DA not to charge you, or winning in court. And despite what may be shown on TV, cash awards for unlawful arrest are a LOT harder to get than you may think.

So unless you are VERY well prepared to wage such a suit, your best bet is to persuade the officer you are not in violation of the law so he doesn't arrest you. That is best done with a low-key, but firm approach, and maybe a suggestion that he might want to consult with his duty Sergeant or Lieutenant rather than make the call on this area of law himself.

Charles
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scorpioajr

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Messages
1,387
Location
Eagle Mountain, Utah, USA
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Rickjames wrote:
So I have been working hard to know the laws in case of a confrontation with a less than educated law dog....?
I normally don't leave the house when OCing without this in my pocket: http://www.thegreshams.net/ucc.com/Utah%20Gun%20Law.pdf

Also, they work VERY well for uninformed publics. I notice when people DO stop me and ask me questions about my gun on my hip - its A LOT easier to explain and convince them of the laws when they can listen and follow along, go figure..
 

Rickjames

New member
Joined
Nov 15, 2008
Messages
5
Location
West Jordan, , USA
imported post

Right on guys, thanks. That should get it done. I figured as long as I have a guide on the current laws it can as "bagpiper"said, give me aq a low-key, but firm approach to resolving any issue with the LEO. Thanks again
 
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