Open Carry?

[TroutBum]

I'm too lazy to really try and read about Utah's open carry laws. In a nutshell, I can legally carry a gun on my hip or in a shoulder holster without a concealed weapons permit, right? If that's the case, do I get in trouble if my shirt hangs out over my waist and all of a sudden the gun is concealed?

Any gun-nuts here?

I'd also like some suggestions for decent hand guns. I'm not going to break the bank, but I'd love to waste some tax return dollars on a gun and shoulder holster. Perhaps it's the teeny-peeny syndrome, but I really like the idea all of a sudden.

 

[Gameface]

Open means open and concealed means concealed. If your firearm becomes concealed then you'd be breaking the law if you didn't have a concealed carry permit.

In Utah you can carry a firearm in your vehicle, concealed or not, loaded or not, without a permit.

You should go to a range that has rentals (Get Some, Dave's Shoot 'n Sport) and try several guns. There is no one-size-fits-all with a handgun. Some will feel awkward in your hand and some will fit like a glove and naturally point where you want them to.

If you haven't fired several hundred rounds through a hand-gun I highly recommend that once you pick a handgun you shoot the living **** out of it the first month or two. You really want to be able to operate it without thinking, as well as clear jams and such quickly and safely.

I question the value in open carry. It will draw attention to your piece and away from your package, so there will be some value in it for you, but it draws attention. If a crazy one-in-a-million situation takes place and you're in a bank that gets robbed or something you will probably be at greater risk with your exposed gun than you would be in with no gun. Unless, of course, you become Steven Seagal and take them all out with your mad gun skillz...

It's pretty easy to get a concealed carry permit in Utah, so why not go that route? You'll get some instruction, legal advice and possibly some range time. You can carry open or concealed if you have a concealed carry permit.

I've gotten rid of most of my handguns, but if you want to hit the range sometime let me know. We could go to Get Some (they have a nice range compared to Doug's) and look over their selection and rent a gun or two and get some practice in.

 

[franklin]

In Utah you can carry a firearm in your vehicle, concealed or not, loaded or not, without a permit.

By loaded you mean a loaded clip right? I've always heard you couldn't have a bullet in the chamber but maybe that has changed. Doesn't concealed carry allow you to carry with a live bullet as long as two actions are required first or something like that?

 

[Gameface]

By loaded you mean a loaded clip right? I've always heard you couldn't have a bullet in the chamber but maybe that has changed. Doesn't concealed carry allow you to carry with a live bullet as long as two actions are required first or something like that?

I'm not a concealed carry or open carry expert as I don't do either. I thought concealed carry could be loaded, only needing to pull the trigger to fire. With open carry, as I understand, there needs to be two actions to fire. With a semi-auto that means no round in the chamber so that you have to rack the slide and pull the trigger OR one in the chamber and the safety on (if that particular firearm has a manual safety). With a revolver it kind of sucks because you're already limited in ammo capacity and to open carry you have to have the hammer at rest on an empty cylinder and have the next cylinder empty as well so that you pull the trigger once and do not fire, then pull again to fire. I think with a single action only revolver (typically only the cowboy-style revolvers are SAO) you don't have to worry about leaving an extra cylinder open because you are required to manually pull the hammer back in order to fire, making the two actions.

As far as the condition your gun has to be in if you are driving around with it I really don't know.

All I can say is that no matter what you do or how you do it consider safety above all else. It doesn't help anyone if you end up having a negligent discharge, even if no one is hurt.

 

[Gameface]

Here's what I found regarding carry in a vehicle:

Utah Code
Title 76 [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Utah Criminal Code [/FONT][/FONT]Chapter 10 [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, Welfare, and Morals [/FONT][/FONT]Section 505 [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Carrying loaded firearm in vehicle or on street.
[/FONT][/FONT]76-10-505. Carrying Loaded Firearm in Vehicle or on Street. (1) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Unless otherwise authorized by law, a person may not carry a loaded firearm:
[/FONT][/FONT](a) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]in or on a vehicle, unless:
[/FONT][/FONT](i) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]the vehicle is in the person's lawful possession; or
[/FONT][/FONT](ii) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]the person is carrying the loaded firearm in a vehicle with the consent of the person lawfully in possession of the vehicle;
[/FONT][/FONT](b) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on a public street; or
[/FONT][/FONT](c) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]in a posted prohibited area.
[/FONT][/FONT](2) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to a minor under 18 years of age, since a minor under 18 years of age may not carry a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle.
[/FONT][/FONT](3) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a)(i) and (ii), a person may not possess a loaded rifle, shotgun, or muzzle-loading rifle in a vehicle.
[/FONT][/FONT](4) [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]A violation of this section is a class B misdemeanor.
[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Respectfully, I've never understood people's infatuation with guns and their desire to own one or even many. May I ask why those of you who carry want to or feel the need?

 

[TheDude]

I several guns but I dont pack one around unless it's in the hills after fowl or big game.

 

[Stoked]

Respectfully, I've never understood people's infatuation with guns and their desire to own one or even many. May I ask why those of you who carry want to or feel the need?

Self protection. Some bat *** crazy people out there. I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Respectfully, I've never understood people's infatuation with guns and their desire to own one or even many. May I ask why those of you who carry want to or feel the need?

Makes their dick feel bigger.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Self protection. Some bat *** crazy people out there. I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

Yeah, I thought that would be the answer given as it seems like the only respectable, possible answer given. I guess I just wouldn't trust myself with a gun, perhaps because I didn't grow up with them.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Yeah, I thought that would be the answer given as it seems like the only respectable, possible answer given. I guess I just wouldn't trust myself with a gun, perhaps because I didn't grow up with them.

Same. I feel like most cases having a gun would only compound the problem, resulting in a higher % of death for myself.

 

[Stoked]

Yeah, I thought that would be the answer given as it seems like the only respectable, possible answer given. I guess I just wouldn't trust myself with a gun, perhaps because I didn't grow up with them.

If it makes you feel better I think that a yearly shooting course and class shoud be mandatory to carry. People who carry should be required to show a proficiency with the weapon.

 

[bigb]

The only gun I own is a .22 rifle. But I want to get a handgun. Protection for me and my family is the reason. I am super overly protective of my family. I want to be able to protect them at any and all cost. I'm not the type of guy that wants to own 5 or six different handguns, 3 or 4 rifles, and 2 or 3 shotguns; but I would like to get a .45 and a 9mm, or something along those lines. I want to have something that I can protect myself and my family with.

 

[bigb]

If it makes you feel better I think that a yearly shooting course and class shoud be mandatory to carry. People who carry should be required to show a proficiency with the weapon.

I agree with that whole-heartedly.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Same. I feel like most cases having a gun would only compound the problem, resulting in a higher % of death for myself.

Or a loved one. I feel most people, on this site or elsewhere, feel they're an expert, that they know how to use a gun in and out, and more importantly, that they know exactly how they'd react and use it when one of these self-defense situations came up. But no one has any idea of how they'll react until that time comes. No one. Unless perhaps you were in the military and in combat, or are a cop. And for me personally, I wouldn't trust myself in that moment, or in others like if I'm drunk or such, even if I did buy a gun, frequent the range, and "train" myself.

I would bet many on this site do go to the range fairly often and are mentally equipped and "trained" as much as they can be for hypothetical situations that could arise. However, I'd bet more that more of you, and therefore the majority of people, do not fall into that category.

But if you own, God bless you. It's your right.

 

[Stoked]

The only gun I own is a .22 rifle. But I want to get a handgun. Protection for me and my family is the reason. I am super overly protective of my family. I want to be able to protect them at any and all cost. I'm not the type of guy that wants to own 5 or six different handguns, 3 or 4 rifles, and 2 or 3 shotguns; but I would like to get a .45 and a 9mm, or something along those lines. I want to have something that I can protect myself and my family with.

I have a 9mm, I want to get a .38, .22 (rifle and pistol), hunting rifle, 12 guage, judga and a AR15 for ****s and giggles. As for carrying...well I work a job that makes me a very visible target. I deal with alot of nutjobs and I'd rather be prepared just in case.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

The only gun I own is a .22 rifle. But I want to get a handgun. Protection for me and my family is the reason. I am super overly protective of my family. I want to be able to protect them at any and all cost. I'm not the type of guy that wants to own 5 or six different handguns, 3 or 4 rifles, and 2 or 3 shotguns; but I would like to get a .45 and a 9mm, or something along those lines. I want to have something that I can protect myself and my family with.

Have you considered getting an alarm system and/or a dog?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Or a loved one. I feel most people, on this site or elsewhere, feel they're an expert, that they know how to use a gun in and out, and more importantly, that they know exactly how they'd react and use it when one of these self-defense situations came up. But no one has any idea of how they'll react until that time comes. No one. Unless perhaps you were in the military and in combat, or are a cop. And for me personally, I wouldn't trust myself in that moment, or in others like if I'm drunk or such, even if I did buy a gun, frequent the range, and "train" myself.

I would bet many on this site do go to the range fairly often and are mentally equipped and "trained" as much as they can be for hypothetical situations that could arise. However, I'd bet more that more of you, and therefore the majority of people, do not fall into that category.

But if you own, God bless you. It's your right.

Being drunk and carrying a firearm has to be against the law, right?

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Being drunk and carrying a firearm has to be against the law, right?

At home I meant.

 

[Stoked]

Or a loved one. I feel most people, on this site or elsewhere, feel they're an expert, that they know how to use a gun in and out, and more importantly, that they know exactly how they'd react and use it when one of these self-defense situations came up. But no one has any idea of how they'll react until that time comes. No one. Unless perhaps you were in the military and in combat, or are a cop. And for me personally, I wouldn't trust myself in that moment, or in others like if I'm drunk or such, even if I did buy a gun, frequent the range, and "train" myself.

I would bet many on this site do go to the range fairly often and are mentally equipped and "trained" as much as they can be for hypothetical situations that could arise. However, I'd bet more that more of you, and therefore the majority of people, do not fall into that category.

But if you own, God bless you. It's your right.

I own but am in no way an expert. You are right in that no one truly knows how they will react until they are actually in that situation. But if I am ever in that situation I would hands down prefer to have the option of using a weapon versus not having that option.