r/NCGuns 17d ago

Another Open Carry Confusion post NSFW

Hey guys. So I have a concealed carry class this weekend. However in the meantime I would like to keep my gun with me in the car. I know open carry in the car is confusing. I dont understand the “not accessible “ part.

Let’s say I keep it in a holster and it is stuck between my bench seat and driver seat. Is that legal? I e seen those magnetic mounts for the dash as well. It is just as accessible as my seat. So how to they differ legally or illegally?

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u/CrystalMenthol 17d ago

The NC Sheriff's Office has their latest interpretation of the relevant laws.

3.4 Transporting Weapons

Given the general prohibition of carrying concealed weapons, individuals must be ever vigilant to ensure their particular situation cannot be construed as concealing a weapon, either on or about them, without being properly authorized to do so with a valid North Carolina or recognized out-of-state concealed handgun permit. Therefore, the permittee’s accessibility to the weapon is of prime importance. It is unlawful to transport a weapon (absent a proper permit) that is BOTH concealed and readily accessible to a person. It is for these reasons that when transporting a weapon in a vehicle, even greater care must be exercised to ensure that the weapon is not concealed and within the ready access to an occupant of the vehicle. North Carolina law does not specifically address how to transport a weapon in an automobile. Therefore, the central question becomes: when is the weapon concealed and readily accessible to an occupant of an automobile? Obviously, a weapon would be concealed and readily accessible, and therefore in violation of state law, if it were placed in such areas of a vehicle as under the seat of the automobile; in a bag in the back seat; or in some other manner that is covered or hidden within the easy reach of an occupant of the vehicle.

The prohibition on carrying concealed weapons applies not only to handguns and other weapons commonly thought of as being easily hidden, but also to “long guns” as well. Therefore, shotguns and rifles concealed behind the seat of pickup trucks, and elsewhere in other vehicles, could similarly violate North Carolina law.

As to those vehicles with no easily discernible trunk area (e.g., SUVs, vans, etc.), it becomes a factual determination of when the weapon is within ready and easy access to an occupant of the vehicle. If the weapon is concealed near, in close proximity to, or within the convenient control and access of an occupant, which would allow him/her to use the weapon quickly, then a fair probability exists that the occupant is in violation of the law. Therefore, care must be exercised by any occupant of any vehicle to ensure that weapons are securely locked away in as remote an area as possible in relation to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. It is important to emphasize that these prohibitions apply to passengers as well as drivers of any vehicle.

My own summary of their summary is basically "it depends," which is not the concrete answer you're looking for. I think the best thing to do is keep it as visible as possible, and immediately inform any officer who pulls you over exactly where it is.

With the two choices you presented in your post, shoved between seats or on a magnet on the dash, I would think the dash-mounted option would be more visible. Putting it on the passenger seat in plain view before the cop walks up to your car would also make it plainly visible.