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Also look up the text for "State v. Robert S. Huntley in NC case law. This is the case that pretty much codified your right to carry without police harassment. The important passage from "Huntley" is worded thusly:
"For any lawful purpose--either of business or amusement--the citizen is at perfect liberty to carry his gun."
As for the "Going Armed to the Terror of the People" charge that some police like to throw around to discourage OC, you should just memorize the wording of the statute, or print it out and put it in your wallet. It is a "three pronged" law, and you need to meet all three of its' stipulations for the charge to stick. We have been searching the NC case law, and nobody has found a single instance of someone who was stopped simply for OC, where a GATTTOTP charge stuck in court. They are almost always thrown out. The few times they do stick is usually when there was some other extenuating circumstance--the person was doing something else illegal, was in possession of some sort of contraband, or they were intoxicated.
But if you are simply walking down the street, there is nothing illegal, suspicious, or otherwise noteworthy to warrant a "Terry" stop under NC law in almost ANY city, except Cary (which has a very odd no-carry ordinance) and Durham (which has a minimum barrel length law)
Now all that said, the entire concept of "suspicious-looking activity" is pretty wide-open to interpretation under NC law, and some police officers take VERY wide liberties with that. Your manner of dress, your hair length, your race (yes, it's sad but true), your location (is it in a "good" neighborhood? A Bad one? Are you near a bar? Do you look lost or out of place? on and on...) can and will be used by a cop who is looking to stop someone for carrying. It's not legal, but it still happens--because of overzealous rookies who don't know the law, or out-of-line LEOs who don't like OC by "civilians", or the rare instance of the proverbial "thug with a badge"...
I have yet to be stopped or even approached while OCing in NC. I live in Washington, and have OC'd in Washington, Fayetteville, Greenville, Raleigh, and Winterville. I've also OC'd in Northern VA--Fairfax, Woodbridge, several rest stops along I-95, and never had an issue. Of course, I am 44 years old, have a short haircut, and usually dress "business casual" or at least have a button-down shirt with jeans. I've had several people tellme they thought I looked like an off-duty cop and that's why folks don't question my OCing.
A lot of it seems to be how you carry yourself. If you look calm, confident, and "normal", then you usually won't be met with a bad attitude from an LEO. But if you look unsure of yourself, or sketchy, or twitchy, or you are obviously carrying a video camera and stalking LEOs, your chances are pretty high that you're going to be met with a negative attitude from the get-go. I just go about my daily routine--grocery store, hardware store, sporting good stores, gas stations, general shopping--like I'm just a normal guy doing normal things. The fact that I've got a full-sized .45acp on my hip isn't something I need to show off or be self conscious about. I carry pretty much all the time--mostly OC but sometimes CC--and it's second nature to me now. In fact, the only time I'm self-conscious about it is when I DON'T carry--like when I'm going to college classes, or traveling in MD or DC...
But if you are scruffy looking, or wearing some sort of "offensive" t-shirt or cap, or you have long hair, or you are young, or you are a minority, the rules of the game seem to get REALLY variable here in NC. And the less you know of the law, and the less confident in that knowledge you are, the more likely it is for an LEO to "get over on you". Educate yourself, and be prepared. But always speak politely, evenly, and matter-of-factly. Don't volunteer info. You are NOT required to show your Drivers License (unless you are actually operating a motor vehicle). You DO NOT need a permit to OC. You do not have to give your name, address, or age. But to be honest, a sweet disposition and a cooperative attitude can go a LONG way to defuse an LEO with an attitude. Save your "OC Education" lectures for the inquisitive citizens who ask you why you carry. You will NEVER succeed in educating a cop, unless your business card has an LLD or JD on it. And if you ARE a lawyer, I would recommend handing the cop your business card if he asks for ID. As a general rule, they tend to not hassle lawyers...:what:
Can a cop ask you to lie on the ground and take your gun? Well, he's got a badge and a gun, a tazer, and some pretty potent pepper spray. Are you willing to resist? Do you feel so strongly about your rights that you are willing to push your luck (even if the cop is OBVIOUSLY out-of-bounds) or would you rather comply and then let the courts sort it out?
It's one thing to assert that you know your rights and the law in a calm, rational manner, and the officer is willing to listen to reason. It's quite another thing altogether when you have the misfortune to cross paths with some badge-wearing thug who is just LOOKING to hand out a "wood shampoo" because he doesn't think citizens should infringe on his "state-sanctioned monopoly on violence"...
If you don't know your rights under NC statutes and case law, and you have an appearance that you think might cause a cop to hassle you, then maybe you should study up before OCing, and invest in a pocket-sized voice recorder, or only OC when you are with other people (witnesses).
The laws about where you can and cannot carry in NC are sort of weird--study them and KNOW the law. No bars or restaurants that serve alcohol. No movie theaters, concerts, or amusement parks. There are some other weird laws regarding carry prohibitions--check the laws. Watch for posted "no firearms" signs. Know your rights. Study the law. You can download the most recent official version of NC's firearms laws from this link:
http://www.jus.state.nc.us/NCJA/ncfirearmslaws.pdf
Ask LOTS of questions on this forum--there are some VERY knowledgeable and experienced folk here.
Oh, and by the way, IANAL. (I Am Not A Lawyer...)
Welcome to the fascinating lifestyle of carrying. Good luck OCing!