imported post
jhow1nm2 wrote:
Please forgive my ignorance here. This is an open carry forum. No permit is required in NM to open carry, whether the person is a resident of the state of NM or not.
Your ignorance is forgiven:lol:. Concealed carry permits are a valid point of the OC discussion. Federal Law 18 U.S.C. ss 922 (q) Gun Free School Zone Actprohibits the posession (other than locked, unloaded and securely encased) and carry of a firearm within 1,000 feet of any School unless, among other exceptions, on private property not part of school grounds, or "The individual posessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the state in which the school zone is located..."
I know that in New Mexico it is illegal to carry a gun into a school or on school property even with a permit per your state law. However your permit is what allows you to be within the 1,000 feet of the school without risking being charged with a federal felony. Here in the state of Utah, a concealed firearm permit that is recgonized by our state, allows those who posess it to not be in violation of this law as it is the "license" required by federal law for exemption of the GFSZA. It also allows one who carry's a firearm open or concealed to not be in violation of similar Utah state law.Bottom line, if you are going to openly carry a firearm without a concealed firearm permit, especially in Utah, you had better get a good map of school zones and plan your travel around those pesky 1,000 feet radiuses or be willing to risk arrest and prosecution. I find it much more convenient to just get a concealed permit and not have to carry a map. You see it is relevant after all.
