National Concealed Firearms Instructors Association

A lady came to one of my ccw classes and ask-
" if I carry my gun in my purse, is it hidden on my body"
and therefore considered concealed on me?
Legal in Nevada without a permit?
I could not answer- put this question up on
"Packing"- got a lot of discussion-
then finally ask the Nevada Attorney General-
He too was a little fuzzy- but did say-
Have her get the permit-
I can carry a gun in a "bag"-
it is not concealed- its in a bag?
How about if- any comments?
Mark

I'm sure it all depends on how the law is written and interpreted. In NC it is considered concealed if it is "on or about" one's body. "On or about?" Generally this has been ruled that if it is within arms length. Consequently, a pursed, being carried would be considered concealed. As further discussion on how the law can be interpreted here. NC is an open carry state. One can have a handgun laying in plain sight on the seat of the car. If one accidentally tosses a jacket on it, it is considered concealed. If a newspaper slides over it, concealed. It all depends on the law and how it is written, the LEO, the prosecutor, and the AG of the state. State by state it is going to be different.

I agree with Ed, I looked at the NEvada statute and like most laws is vague.
“Concealed firearm” means a loaded or unloaded pistol, revolver or other firearm which is carried upon a person in such a manner as not to be discernible by ordinary observation.

The interpertation of "carried upon the person" is the issue. Not being an attorney, but having been involved in a lot of these cases I'll tell you it comes back to intent. Most would agree that a purse by nature is designed to be carried by or upon the person. placing a firearms into a purse and having that purse with you would then imply that you are carrying the weapon upon your body. That being said I would have to add that it would also depend on where the purse is in relationship to the person at the time the issues arises. Is it in the car sitting on the front seat and she (I'm asssuming the carrier is a she) is out side the car.

To me the easy anwser is If you place that firearm in your purse and you pick up or carry the purse then you are carring concealed, since the only reason to put the gun in the purse is to carry it, It would be best to obtain a permit. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

If you get asked a question like that, ask them..what is your intent once you have the firearm in the purse, if they say carry it, then they have anwsered the question themselves.

I don't quite understand the in the bag part, It would be the same if you place a firearm into a bag with the intent to carry the firearm concealed.

Like- You go to the range with your gun "in a bag"- a gun bag-
legal most places-
not considered carrying concealed
Mark

fiddlin1 wrote:Like- You go to the range with your gun "in a bag"- a gun bag-
legal most places-
not considered carrying concealed
Mark

Do you carry your loaded guns to the range in "bags?" To be an effective concealed carry alternative, one's gun must be loaded and not in a location one would expect to find a gun. Generally, one does not expect to find a gun in a purse, thus this is an effective concealed carry option. (for women )

I know we can beat this to death in various "what if" scenarios. I contend that going to the range with an encased, unloaded gun is different that carrying a loaded gun in one's purse or "man bag."