Possible Durham, NC move. Any gun relevant info?

Larry- that is everything you need to need to know about legalities in NC. It is long and you will find some areas in NC feel they are above pre-emption and will try to enact illegal laws, so be vigilant. Some places have had to be threatened to be sued before removing outdated gun bans in parks and such.

GNRC is a good source and they have a free email service to alert citizens to what is going on in the state. If you move to the Raleigh area you will be about 1-1/2 hrs west of me.

Larry -

I can recommend the northern/western part of Durham county. Very easy commute to the VA, with some elbow room at home. Hillsborough's very nice, and while the commute traffic ought not be bad, I'd guess at a 30-40ish minute commute. Mebane is just past Hillsborough, so the commute would be a bit longer.

Despite the higher home prices, people with children gravitate to Chapel Hill for the excellent schools.

The commute in from Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Briarcreek is something I'm glad I don't have to deal with.

As far as shooting, there are several clubs (Durham Wildlife, Durham Pistol & Rifle, Sir walter Raleigh), but my recommendation is to check out Caswell Ranch. No club BS, directly north (approx 25 min) of Hillsborough, and the best annual rate going. The owner/operator lives there, and is/was a top shooter himself. When I go, I usually have the place to myself.

packpike said "There is a rivalry between eastern (mustard based sauce) vs western (tomato based sauce) NC BBQ, but they're both delicious, so you can't lose."

To clear things up I've heard this many times, but it's simply not true. Eastern NC BBQ sauce does not contain mustard! It is apple cider vinegar based, with spices and a few other things added. But definitely no mustard. I've heard this a few times, even once on the history channel from someone in Lexington NC. From what I understand, Some SC BBQ sauces are mustard based, but not Eastern NC.
/thread derailment.

I don't have much to add but good luck on your way South. You are very lucky to move to a free state. I wish I can do the same but I'm stuck here in the meantime.

To clear things up I've heard this many times, but it's simply not true. Eastern NC BBQ sauce does not contain mustard!

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While were clearing things up, I like someone to clear up the next post.

I was always told that Cary stood for 'containment area for relocated Yankees' so note the comments made earlier that no one really wants to hear how great things were done up north.

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What exactly does that mean?

just make sure you swing by the town of Fuquay-Varina in Wake county for the best gun shop in the area, Fuquay Gun and Gold

Welcome to NC! Some of the laws are vague, especially the knife laws and "no gun signs" must displayed "consciously" to have force of law. I feel that should be clarified just a little more.

Some people make a big deal out of the BBQ, but you have to have the Calabash style seafood!

dupe-delete please

There is a rivalry between eastern (mustard based sauce) vs western (tomato based sauce) NC BBQ, but they're both delicious, so you can't lose

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As a annual summer resident of Murphy (far west Cherokee County) I believe its hard to beat our western barbecue. Congratulations on both of you being about to head to the Tarheel State.

My older sister lived in Greensboro for 40 years, so I've been coming to NC since 1949. The friendliest people in the whole USA, IMO.

In the Raleigh -Durham area there are tremendous sports rivalries between UNC,NC State,Duke and Wake Forest. So just pick a team and join the fun.



There is one my teams many logos.

Gun wise you are heading to the most unfriendly part of the state, but still cool compared to those northern environs you are leaving in the rear view mirror.

On June 17, 2014, Representative Tim Moore is bringing to a hearing Senate Bill 226. If passed, this bill will make void the Durham County handgun registry. So there is hope.

On June 17, 2014, Representative Tim Moore is bringing to a hearing Senate Bill 226. If passed, this bill will make void the Durham County handgun registry. So there is hope.

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That'll just break the heart of so many of those Duke professors and students.

I lived in Durham my first 41 yr's and can honestly say I have had some good time's growing up there. Since I moved out and up the road a piece to Culbreth [ between Creedmoor and Bahama ] or Timberlake and Stem 22 years ago I find it was the best move I have ever made. There are parts of Durham that are worth living in but mostly it is a POS town for illegals, gang members and was ahead of the charts in Murder's just a couple years ago. The others on here that say " oh its a wonderful place" either have never been there long, just drove thru, [ which you don't see Durham as it is driving through ] or live on the Duke Campus. My recommendations would be try any of the surrounding cities, seriously.

If you were just coming to this area from a gun unfriendly area, what would you do?

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First off,I would feel blessed! Then become a fervent UNC booster.
Then buy a gun to celebrate.

Does it hold more than 10rds?

Cool. I love Hillsborough. My wife and I just came from having dinner there tonight.

larryh1108 said:

Now, let's talk about what is what and where to do it near Hillsborough. We've committed there today so now it's time to get down to business.

Gun ranges?
Indoor and outdoor?
Local and chain gun stores?
Affordable gun clubs?
Any IDPA, bowling pin or steel shoots?
If you were just coming to this area from a gun unfriendly area, what would you do?

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I covered many of the ranges in my earlier post. If you live in Hillsborough, Durham Pistol & Rifle is likely closest, but Caswell Ranch would be my recommendation. Straight up 86 about 20ish minutes. The annual fee at Caswell isn't prorated, though, so if you joined now, it'd cost the same as had you joined last Jan 1. Still, I'd prefer it over any of the clubs.

One place I didn't mention is the Durham Wildlife Club, in southern Durham County. It's largely a shotgun club, but they allow handguns and rimfire rifle. For members, I believe they still hold IDPA matches during the week.

There's an indoor range in Raleigh (Personal Defense & Handgun Safety Center) if you're looking for an indoor range. They also hold monthly indoor IDPA matches.

Guns shops? There are numerous mom & pops, but the biggest & closest to Hillsborough is Mace Sports, just off I-40 in Mebane. There are Gander Mountains in Greensboro and Morrisville.

The Range in Oxford is a private range that holds IDPA matches. Matter of fact, it's one of the top IDPA venues in the country, hosting the annual Carolina Cup, and Nationals 2 years ago. If you're interested in IDPA, there's no better place. They also hold a monthly Steel Challenge match.

Caswell Ranch used to hold IDPA matches. The owner is a DM-level shooter, and very helpful for those wanting to improve. Matter of fact, the range is still setup so you can set up & run your own IDPA scenarios.

Sir Walter Raleigh Gun Club has monthly USPSA matches. If you're interested in bullseye pistol or highpower rifle competition, SWRGC and DPRC hold monthly matches. If you're really into HighPower rifle, Camp Butner is just up the road, and they hold full XTC matches.

larryh1108 said:

Well, I lived in Chicago during the entire Michael Jordan era. That count?

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That is an excellent start towards becoming a UNC Tar Heel partisan! I became one in 1957 when Carolina, led by All America, Lennie Rosenbluth, (also born in Brooklyn like Michael ) defeated Kansas and the great Wilt Chamberlain, 54-53 in Triple OT, for their very first title.

The most exciting college game of my life til this day. It was a heart pounder.

But seriously, you go your own way and just enjoy Carolina life and your new freedom with guns and life in general. My second home,NC, is a wonderful place. From Cape Hatteras to Cherokee, you got it all.

Glad to hear NC can now carry in places that serve alcohol. i havent been back in a year for anything longer than an over nighter off the highway

There is a rivalry between eastern (mustard based sauce) vs western (tomato based sauce) NC BBQ, but they're both delicious, so you can't lose.

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theres something wrong with you . its all about the vinegar based sauces..... btw western is the worst. source:15 years experience

To clear up an earlier post, Cary is town bordering on Raleigh. It was long said that it stood for containment area for relocated Yankees because so many of them choose to live there in their 500k homes on quarter acre lots with restrictive home owners associations. But for 10 years now, I've been saying the containment failed - they're everywhere now.

Has the Carolina Shooters Club website been mentioned? There are a fine bunch of people on the forum and it is a very well run site. Here is the address:

http://www.carolinashootersclub.com/

I'm a westerner in NC, so can't help you a lot specifically...

One thing going for you pro-gun wise is that I think Durham is pretty close to the Appleseed home range in Ramseur, NC.

NC has made great, great strides in 2A rights since breaking the Democrats' far-too-long hold on the legislature....but vote carefully, just because someone has an "R" next to their name does not always mean they're pro-gun.

That aside, compared to a state like CT? It'll seem like heaven!

The aforementioned GRNC is a great org to join.

Good luck on the move, and welcome in advance. Always glad to add more pro-2A types to the mix here in NC!