Posted: 1/27/2003 6:50:22 AM EDT
| Im getting a CCW permit and I've read that its illegal to transport a weapon in North Las Vegas other than for sporting purposes. Now, my question is how does this pertain to CCW permits? Cops in North Las Vegas are a bit overzealous about guns seeing as they pulled me over one time for driving with my lights off right after pulling out of Texas Station and they noticed my NRA sticker in the back window of my truck and the officer promptly asked if I weapons in the car. Then I noticed like 3 more squad cars were pulled in behind us. Im a resident of North Las Vegas and is this what I have to look forward to? Or, does having a legally concealed weapon exempt form this law? Any information you all can provide would be greatly appreciated. |
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The laws are really very simple, but there are a lot of misconceptions out there about them. If you are a CCW holder you may carry concealed in ANY Nevada city, no city can restrict you from conceal carry if you have the permit. The city of Las Vegas considers your car an extension of your home and it is legal to have a gun in your car even if you do not have a CCW , but North Las Vegas and Boulder City have made that illegal. You may legally open carry in any city in Nevada, I have an email from the North Las Vegas City Councilwoman Smith and Councilwoman Buck stating this. They do not recommend open carry of course but you are legal to do so, just not get in your car without a CCW. Technically you can walk out your door with an exposed pistol and walk to the store and go grocery shopping. I have open carried in North Las Vegas and Las Vegas and have not had any trouble yet. Go get your CCW and carry anywhere you want, I live in North Las Vegas and it is legal. If you want to ask a licensed CCW instuctor email [email protected]. Here is the response I recieved from Metro about open carry copy this and put it in your car if you ever decide to open carry and get hassled by an officer for it... Mr. Mayo, below is the response my office received from Detention & Enforcement. Mary Kleven Sr. Executive Assistant to Councilman McDonald City of Las Vegas 229-6405 464-2684--fax I contacted Sgt. Fricker at Metro/DTAC and posed the citizen's question to him. As with any situation, having more details would have been helpful in responding. However, this is what was learned. Generally, if a person has a "holstered" pistol, and has not committed any other offense, then there should not be a problem. Let me state that we are speaking of the City of Las Vegas. While I do not think there are any differences between Clark County, North Las Vegas, or Henderson ordinances regarding this matter, I would recommend that the citizen check with those govermental entities to be certain. In the interest of public safety, if a law enforcement officer observes someone carring a firearm under circumstances that may seem questionable, then the officer may approach the person to ensure all is as it should be. This may include checking the weapon is properly registered. Once again, its a delicate balance in assuring the safety of the public, as well as the rights of the individual. If the officer is responding to a call placed by another citizen concerned about someone carrying a firearm in public, then it is necessary to contact the weapon carrier to resolve the dispatched call. Again, if all is in order, the weapon carrier should be allowed to go on his/her way. Within the City of Las Vegas, it is illegal to carry a firearm, openly or concealed, in City parks. Even if the weapon is properly registered, and the individual authorized to carry concealed, it is still against City ordinance. I hope I was able to help in answering the inquiry. Jeff Dufrene, Lt. Field Services, D&E |
| P.S. about your experience with the North Las Vegas police....I have done ride-alongs with them and they are a bunch of nice guys, they patrol some rough areas and back each other up extremely well, so they aren't anti-gun in my opinion but just careful. They don't have the resouces that Metro does, not even close so they do a very good job, if you ever took a tour of the North Las Vegas police station you would be amazed, it should be condemned, it is falling apart. The city doesn't give them any resources, in fact they just got 3 K-9 units a few months ago, before that they had to request K-9's from Metro and didn't get to use them if Metro was busy with them, give 'em a break they do a really hard job. Bob |
| I dont have a problem with North Town cops at all. Several of their officers are reservists in my unit. Im an Air Force cop myself, I can understand their plight. But I was just taken aback at their response to my not turning my lights on all the way and then when I was stopped the officer was all over me about weapons in the car. No big deal though, once I identified myself as an AF cop, the officer was cool and he started to BS with me. Im not a cop basher like some others on this board. I guess I can say it was my welcome to "Sin City". The cops here dont mess around here. Im quite happy for that. As a side note I like North town cops a hell of alot better than Metro. But what Im wondering is how many people get jacked up for having a legally registered pistol to go with their legal CCW permit in that town? I could just see something like the story I told and someone saying, "Yes officer I do have a weapon." Thinking they're in the right and then they're sitting in lock up awaiting arraignment. I know Im not a dirt bag and I dont attract attention of the police but Id hate to go to jail for just having the gun in my car because of their laws. |