I think you should ask a LEO to be sure but I think it means any firearm. If so, you would need to unload your concealed weapon before you get to the wildlife ramp area.

 

It does mean ANY loaded firearm including a handgun and includes those who legally possess a CC permit. I was also disappointed with NC Wildlife when I came across this rule in the regulations. I believe the law was intended to be oriented for firearms that were used for hunting purposes but the way the law is written in the book includeds ALL firearms.

When I am at most NC Wildlife ramps that I feel, for the most part, safe at I unload my firearm but have the magazine readily available for quick access and my firearm in the holster w/ action open. I can have the firearm ready to go with two short clicks god-forbid I ever need it.

No one with thier CCW likes this rule but it is in effect and enforcable and may carry various penalties and criminal charges. Maybe some of the NC Permit holders should get in contact with NC WIldlife to help to modify this rule to exclude CCWs.

PS: Be careful where you guys take this conversation. I started a thread reguarding this topic awhile ago and it was closed after the thread conversation started taking a turn for the worse.
(on that note I would like to say that I understand why the moderators closed the thread and I would like to say thank you for your efforts to keep the site family friendly and confrontation free )

 

I asked an enforcement officer this question last year. At the ramp - keep any gun open and clear; and obviously so. Meaning; put it on the dash with no clip in sight for a pistol. Many officers can and will get you if you have ammo readily available - for any fire-arm in your vehicle. That is another sticky pointy on the gun-in-the-car thing. I think you actually aren't supposed to be able to grab both gun and ammo from inside the car in NC.

 

It is actually legal in NC to carry a loaded firearm, including a pistol, in a vehicle as long as it is in "plain view." However, the definition of plain view can be constued by law enforcement officers. For example, if they are standing at a certain angle and can't see the firearm laying on the seat next to you or on a dashboard and then notice it later they may concider it concealed and charge you with the possession of a concealed weapon. Being charged and convicted are two different matters though. Any half decent attorney will be able to get you out of that situation.

Also for those who dont realize it, NC is actually an open carry state just like the infamous gun state of Arizona. NC residents are allowed to openly carry a loaded firearm . But again the definition of a "concealed weapon" is not as clearly defined in NC law as it should be. Some LEO may concider a firearm as being concealed if any part of the weapon is covered. Even the part of a weapon that is inside of a holster even if the holster is on you waistband exposed for the world to see.

NC (and many other states) also have the famous "Going Armed to the Terror of the Public" charge. This law was created during the 60's to help deter, prevent, and arrest protesters who ralleyed while carrying firearms. Today, there are many people (mainly second amendment supporters pushing thier luck) who are arrested and charged with this crime while exersizing there second amendment rights to possess firearms. Most who are charged are not convicted of the crime due to the fact that the prosecutor or DA cannot prove the intent to terrorize the public. The "going armed to the terror of the public" is a charge that is usually used in such a situation as stated above because it is a lesser charge carrying a lesser penalty.

I am not attorney and am in no way giving legal advice or condoling any behavior. I am just stating what I have learned through personal research of NC law, class time, and experience with LEO's. (Front of the Car, Not the Back )

If anyone has anymore questions I am currently enrolled in a firearms class at the University and will be happy to ask my instructor any questions you have. Hopefully he will be able to provide answers. I also have other instructors who are/used to be attorneys that will help to elaborate on any more issues.
The topic of the firearms in vehicles came up the other day and helped to reasure me of what I have heard from others to be the legality of the circumstance.

 

Some dumb laws, really.

 

dont know about state boat ramps but on state roads a loaded weapon on dash or seat is legal............been stopped numerous times especially in alamance countie where they do alot of road cks...........also remember if you are on state gamelands the regulations says 22 pistol with lr ammo only....during non hunting seasons.......ok to have 22 lr pistol on gamelands on sunday also...mack

 

Obviously we are responsible to be familiar with laws regarding weapons possession, just as we are with the many convoluted laws regarding fishing.

Relative to pistols in a vehicle....isn't it just easier to get your CCW permit rather than risk the officer's determination? Then your only responsibility is to alert the officer that you have a legal weapon. Plus leaving weapons in plain view is an open invitation to having your vehicle broken into.

 

But as I understand it, if you notifiy the wildlife officer you have a concealed weapon (even if you have your ccwp) you can get a ticket for having a loaded gun at a wildlife ramp.
Mike

Take a kid outdoors!

 

But as I understand it, if you notifiy the wildlife officer you have a concealed weapon (even if you have your ccwp) you can get a ticket for having a loaded gun at a wildlife ramp.
Mike

Take a kid outdoors!

Correct you can get a ticket

 

Correct, I think h2ohhh was just talking in general, not specific to boat ramps.

 

You aren't allowed to have guns at all in state parks right? So somewhere like Jordan Lake you couldn't have one at all I don't think.

 

That's correct on state parks.

Are firearms allowed in a state park?

All deadly weapons, including firearms, airguns, bows and arrows, sling shots, or lethal missiles of any kind, or other deadly weapon is strictly prohibited in all areas owned or operated by the NC Division of Parks and Recreation except for commissioned park rangers and other authorized personnel. Cap pistols and fireworks are also prohibited."

 

This is where laws supersede laws. State vs. federal, or at certain sites with *posted rules*, like within city limits, vs. normal area regs. I won't have a loaded gun anywhere near me at a nc boat ramp. I want to keep both the enforcement officers happy, and my licenses intact. And keeping ammo away from the gun when travelling in these areas keeps officers at ease - whether my 2nd rights are infringed upon or not - it is my practice.

It may not be legal air tight, as far as how far I can push this legality, and hopefully not a bad mistake the wrong way one day. But I feel comfortable with it.

 

+i didnt want to get into the whole thing here but you are coorect about nc open carry......you can legally carry a gun in plain view in nc in 99 percent of most place state parks excepted...............you can walk down us64 with a weapon as longas it is open carry.... .......i have done it plenty of times in alamace co.....also, they may have tightened up on enforcement but i spoke with some rangers a few years back at jordan about all the deer hunters from the mountains camping out on the camp grounds and i told them that you know they have weapons and their response was that if they kept them locked in their truck or car they didnt mess with them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,also an unloaded weapon does you no good when you need it...........mack

 

Okay this one has run its course.....back to fishing.