Considering Moving to North or South Carolina.. Need Some Advice

[benEzra]

One last thing, I am a bit surprised that NC & SC have stricter gun laws than Oregon. In ORegon I can carry my gun everywhere but the federal gov't and law enforcement buildings. No such restrictions on restaurants, bars, etc.

NC's laws are listed by the Brady Campaign as 13th strictest in the nation. The typical media characterization of gun ownership as "a southern thing" and the southern states overall as the most pro-gun jurisdictions in the nation are based primarily on the ignorance of northern reporters and editors. Some southern states have laws that are very pro-gun (FL, SC), and some, not so much (NC, AL).

A whole lot of southern gun-control laws date to the Jim Crow era, as a way to make owning and carrying a gun more difficult for people with the "wrong" color skin. I believe NC's pistol purchase permit law (under which the sheriff can deny you for not being of "good moral character", which means whatever he wants it to mean), and various other rather asinine laws are of Jim Crow origin.

If you were to move here from a pro-gun northern, midwestern, or western state, you'd certainly be surprised at some of the silly restrictions we have to put up with. "At least it's not CA/NJ/MA/IL/WI" is about as good as we can claim...

Also, you don't have to get a permit for each gun you carry? IN Oregon my permit works for all my guns. Sometimes I carry two at a time. Oh well, I guess restrictions are something I have to get use to.

No, you get one CHL license (which isn't limited to any particular gun) and you can carry any handgun you own, just like in Oregon, Florida, or pretty much anywhere else. The separate-permit-for-each-handgun thing is the $5 purchase permit, not the carry license. If you do obtain a carry license, you don't need to obtain purchase permits, BTW; you just show your CHL and you're good to go.

Also, in Oregon I never had to take any 8 hour course. Do you think if I took an 8 hour course with Oregon Firearms Academy that it would qualify for a conceal weapon permit in NC & SC? I have a certifcate from that course and documentation proving I completed it with the gold level. Perhaps using that cerftificate is just wishful thinking?

I may be wrong, but I *think* NC requires the course to cover NC law, and the instructor must be NC certified. That's my understanding, anyway.

Around here, the going rate for the class is $50 and most are held on a Saturday, so you don't have to miss work.

 

[Evergreen]

Hi BenEzra, what does Brady campaign say about the rankings of Georgia and Florida's gun laws? As beautiful of a state that NOrth Carolina is, I am thinking perhaps its a bit too liberal for me. I still think its unfortunate that I cannot go into a restaurant or bar with my gun. I wonder what our founding fathers would have thought of such legislation.

I have been doing some pondering and still trying to think of where I will do my move. I am also starting to look into North Florida. I would like to live near the beach, but I do not know what type of shooting facilities are present in Florida. Also, I hear South Florida is very liberal and full of New York, Northeast and California transplants. For me, that is worth avoiding. I know Miami's mayor or chief of police wanted to ban military-style rifles.

One thing is I hear northern SC is very cold in winter and very hot in summer.. Seems like the weather on the coast is most desirable, but I could be wrong. I guess the true Southern Charm still exists in South Carolina as oppose to FLorida, Georgia or North Carolina, which have become melting pots for people around the country. I am aware that lot of Georgia still has the Charm, but I cannot really live in very remote areas, need to be close to urban areas.

I will review the posts, since there is lot of good information here and I am still bit not sure as to what I will do.

 

[Chuck Warner]

"I live 15 min from Greenville, but have been around SC just about all my life....

Like any other place, in the cities you will have your concentration of "liberals"; outside of the cities in SC, you get into BFE real fast.

We might give you a little **** about being a yankee, but it is mostly good natured.

Greenville Gun Club has trap/skeet, 300yd rifle range, pistol range, and multiple bays for dynamic shooting. I shoot IDPA there regularly; they also have Highpower and a few other pursuits I think. They have 3-gun only very occassionally.

There are several gun shops in Greenville, the newest of which was just opened by a guy I shoot IDPA with; it has a nice shop, indoor pistol range and he is also a class III dealer (first one to the northwest of Columbia as far as I know).

Getting a CWP here is so easy it is literally a joke; it is also honored in NC, VA, TN. Unfortunately it is not honored in GA or FL; you can get a FL non-res permit if either of those places are on your itinerary.

Greenville is just about the right amount of "city" for me; there is something to do for everyone, dining across the board, shopping if the wife is into that, good employment prospects; nice downtown area; about 300k people. Has a lot of the big city upside without feeling like a mega-metropolis like Charlotte or Atlanta. It is about 1.5 hours from both those places, directly in between"




I spent 24 years there. I think the range your talking about is Ed Wells old Greenville Indoor Range. Glad to see it back in some fashion. Thought about it myself after Ed died.

I spent more than a little time at GGC...I hope Jim Harris and the gang are still shooting with you....If Ron G. is still doing IDPA, Slap him in his blind eye for me....

OP...If I could recommend anywhere in SC, it would be Greenville.
Went to Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill When I left there. Spent two years there and hope never to return. Beautiful country, but the west suits me better

Chuck Warner
warnerpistols.com

 

[afish4570]

Get a Fla. permit to protect you till you establish

The resident requirements for which ever state you chose. Its about $125 after you get thru with it. The reciprocity for 32+ states is well worth it. afish4570

 

[afish4570]

NRA Basic Pistol Safety Course

For got this and it may be required...I had mine over 40 yrs. ago for a pistol club I joined. Locally its $75 and I have my wife scheduled for one next week. If you don't close your mind to it you may learn something or refresh your memory for something you forgot. I'm tagging along to assist as a Safety Assistant and watch the firing line for to help the new shooters.afish4570

 

[BurningSaviour]

You do NOT want to live in Cumberland county (Ft Bragg/Fayetteville). High crime, crazy insurance rates & horrible schools. Sheriff is also somewhat anti-2A. County is mentioned as one of 3 in the state where it is virtually impossible to obtain NFA toys.

I'm assuming the other two counties being Wake and Johnston?
I live in Johnston County, NC, just 1/4 mile from the Wake County line.
All in all, it's not too bad as far as gun ownership goes, although getting NFA items would be a bit impossible in my county unless I set up a living NFA Trust, the full details of which, I'm not entirely versed on.
It's a "shall issue" state. Take the course, pass the background check (which takes about two months), get your CCW for five years, and renew it. Classes are all done by third parties, who charge varying rates (I've seen them from $45 to $120 for the classes, with the latter being geared more towards inexperienced shooters - I paid $60 for mine), then you go to the Sheriff's Dept., pay $10 for fingerprinting, and another $80 for the background check.
If you have anything in your juvenile record, be prepared to show an arbitration statement for whatever it was.
In NC, the CCW substitutes for the NICS check, both for long guns and pistols.. don't know if it has any relevance to NFA stuff, though. It also substitutes for the pistol permit system.. if you don't have a CCW, you have to go to the County Sheriff, apply for pistol permits, wait a week, then you can receive five at $5/ea. Later on within the year, you can purchase an additional five. Some politicians are trying to do away with this, but we have enough northern liberals and Eurotrash flooding this area to raise enough of a fuss that this will likely never see the light of day.
In the RDU are, Cary is pretty consistently rated amongst one of the US's top ten safest cities. It's also full of liberal, pseudo-sophisticated snobbery.. people who drive with a faux European license plate on the front of their cars and think it makes them chic, people who generally think the world owes them something, etc. If you remember that sub which collided with the Japanese fishing vessel back in 2001, the Captain of that vessel retired and moved to Cary.
It's also a stone's throw from Durham, which hasn't made any of the US's most dangerous cities lists, AFAIK, but they're trying.
You can't carry firearms (even with a CCW) on any educational property (private or public), any financial institutions, any place where alcohol is served and consumed, any place which charges admission (the story I was told behind that has to do with a movie theatre, actually), any federal gov't. buildings (that's a given), and any place with signs prohibiting carry (ALL state, county, and local gov't buildings will have this, some private businesses will, etc.).

 

[oneounceload]

I have been doing some pondering and still trying to think of where I will do my move. I am also starting to look into North Florida. I would like to live near the beach, but I do not know what type of shooting facilities are present in Florida. Also, I hear South Florida is very liberal and full of New York, Northeast and California transplants. For me, that is worth avoiding. I know Miami's mayor or chief of police wanted to ban military-style rifles.

Besides the aforementioned groups in S. FL, you also have a lot of gang activity. N. FL can be more like living in southern AL or GA, especially in the Panhandle.
The joke about Jacksonville is that it is the largest city in south GA.
There are many clubs in N. FL for rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Coastal property is expensive, as is the insurance for a house on the coast

 

[Evergreen]

You can't carry firearms (even with a CCW) on any educational property (private or public), any financial institutions, any place where alcohol is served and consumed, any place which charges admission (the story I was told behind that has to do with a movie theatre, actually), any federal gov't. buildings (that's a given), and any place with signs prohibiting carry (ALL state, county, and local gov't buildings will have this, some private businesses will, etc.).

The more I hear about North Carolina, the more I think it is just not the kind of place I want to move. It sounds like from what you say, that carrying a weapon concealed is practically illegal in the state of North Carolina. That is a real shame, since it is a real beautiful state.


I am hearing lot of good things about Greenville, but not sure if it would be too isolated. Also, I was kind of yearning for some warm water and warmer winters.. Sounds like Greenville is frosty place in the winter, just like Oregon. I am sure NC is even colder.

Besides the aforementioned groups in S. FL, you also have a lot of gang activity. N. FL can be more like living in southern AL or GA, especially in the Panhandle.
The joke about Jacksonville is that it is the largest city in south GA.
There are many clubs in N. FL for rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Coastal property is expensive, as is the insurance for a house on the coast

Oneounceload, I would be interested to hear your views on nice Florida cities to live that are low in crime and host a good number of shooting facilities. I know one other guy posted on this thread was from FL and I should review his post. I do have to be some proximity close to a city. I have lived in rural areas and I really need the convenience of a big city, but I don't want to be stucki n the center of one. What is your feelings of the areas north of Tampa? What about Sarasota area? I am planning on renting a place, but because of hurricanes, I am not sure if I want to be right on the beach. I was told a lot of FL is swampy and would try to avoid living in swamp areas because of the mozzies. I was told FL has a crime problem. Someone told me that even in a nice suburb in Florida, they witnessed a shootout between drug dealers or gangs or something in a crowded parking lot.

 

[Zach S]

The more I hear about North Carolina, the more I think it is just not the kind of place I want to move. It sounds like from what you say, that carrying a weapon concealed is practically illegal in the state of North Carolina. That is a real shame, since it is a real beautiful state.

its not as bad as it sounds, but, on the other hand, I rarely go anywhere that CC is not allowed.

I lead a pretty boring life...

 

[ClayInTX]

Evergreen,

If you don’t like the rains of western Oregon you might consider eastern Oregon. The wife and I drove through there a few years ago. Visited the National Forest. Drove right between both trees.

 

[308win]

You should consider Ohio; we have it all
we have shall issue CCW
we have reciprocity with most states
we have heat and humidity in the summer
we have mosquitoes
we have winter (the brown and grey season with occasional white)
we have some liberals and a few conservatives
we have some unemployment
like I say, we have it all

 

[Evergreen]

Hi Clay, I live in Central Oregon, east of the Cascades, and I will tell you that the weather here is no bargain either. It is every bit as cloudy as Portland in the winter, but with less precipitation, but with some pretty nasty cold and heavy snowfall. I am told its Oregon's sunbelt, but I have hardly seen the sun all month. Also, everytime I read the weather report, if its cloudy in Portland, its cloudy here in central Oregon. As far as living in Eastern Oregon (like Wallowa mountains, Pendleton, etc), No Thanks. I am not a farmer or rancher and really there is not much else to do out there. If driving your tractor around fields of alfalfa on your farm is a fun day for you, then Eastern Oregon is for you. And yes, some people love that life. I think Eastern Oregon is one of the most empty places in the USA. I am single and in my early 30s and it ain't for me. BTW. High speed internet doesn't exist in eastern Oregon, so for my computer software biz, I am dead in the water. Satellite is also too slow and expensive for me, so not an option.

Also, I find eastern/central Oregon rather empty, lonesome and anti-social place. Western Oregon is too much of a liberal freakshow, for the most part. I will be sure to move back here when I am grumpy and over 60 or 70, preferably retired and with double or triple digits in my savings account. My "No Trespassing" sign will be bigger than the rest of them.


308win,
Hi, I hear Ohio has got some hardcore weather. I know Ohio is the "heartland" of America and is true "midwest". However, living in the cold, snowy, rainy north for 17+ years, its time for a change. You can have your changing seasons, I want my palm trees and to work on that tan. OK, I know that not all the south has palm trees, but some sunnier, warmer weather is important for me. Right now its so dang cold, icy and snowy that its too hard to go out and shoot and nobody wants to shoot with me.

Anyhow, I am sure Ohio is great, its just not for me. I did buy a real nice handgun for a very low price from a dealer in Ohio. He was a great guy and I ended up selling the gun for more than I paid for it. Also, I do appreciate Bud's Gun Shop in your neighboring state of Kentucky.

 

[Weedmonk]

I moved to Charleston, SC a couple of years ago from Alexandria, VA. The summers are comparable but the winter weather is much, much better in Charleston. Here are a couple of thoughts:
- There's a North Carolina and there's a South Carolina...but there is no such thing as "The Carolinas". The two states are very different.
- IMO, the Lowcountry (coastal) is the best part of SC.
- The communities around Charleston are very different. Some are more "welcoming" than others. Personally, I like Mount Pleasant because it is fairly close to the beach, close to dowtown Charleston, and has quite a few trasplants. Mount Pleasant is also regarded as having the best public schools in the area.
- Real estate taxes are significantly lower than northern VA.
- Hurricane insurance is expensive. It is quite common for a home owner's policy with hurricane and hail storm damage coverage for a $250 to $300 house to cost around $3,600 annually. BTW, this does not include flood insurance which adds about another $400.
- Hurricane insurance is also not always easy to obtain. Last year, some the insurance companies were not issuing new policies for properties located on the east side (coastal side) of Rt. 17.
- Charleston natives are fairly close-knit and some transplants find it difficult to make friends.
- Many people seem to be surprised when they discover that Charleston is a fairly small city.
- Jobs are not easy to get and the employers tend to favor folks with SC roots.
- SC has a high rate of traffic accidents.
- North Charleston is not part of Charleston. It is a separate municipality and has the greatest crime problem in the greater Charleston area.
- Souther manners and friendly people.
- Wonderful food, lots of festivals and interesting events.
- Great boating.
- Year-around motorcycling.
- FWIW, I have SC and FL CCW permits. My favorite EDC handguns are: Glock 26, Glock 19, or a S&W 637.
All-in-all, I like living in the Lowcountry.

 

[KSDeputy]

My brother lives in Charleston, SC. They have been there for years, and love it there. He does say that they tax everything, and everything requires a permit of some kind.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

South Carolina has the longest deer season in the US, if you've a mind to hunt. Early teal and goose seasons, hog hunting year round.

Good fishing, but like everywhere nowadays, more and more mercury in them.

 

[Chuck Warner]

South Carolina has the longest deer season in the US, if you've a mind to hunt. Early teal and goose seasons, hog hunting year round.

Good fishing, but like everywhere nowadays, more and more mercury in them.

I do miss the deer and hogs.....Hunted Kenny Jarretts place a time or two, awesome hog hunting.

They told me here to get a tag for deer......WHAAAAT!

lol
CW

 

[MarineOne]

I'm a contractor overseas and the unit I work with here in Iraq is from Ft Bragg, and they can't stand the politics in that area. Police are slow to respond, climbing crime rate, anti-2A, etc..

DMV fees are insane ..... expect to pay taxes on your vehicle(s) full Blue Book value, not what's its really worth.

I just asked them (15 of them here on the FOB) and they all said unless you're moving for a phenominal job, avoid NC.


Kris

 

[wishin]

Here's another welcome to Georgia invitation. The more gun lovers, the better. There are also free gun ranges at some of our Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). People are friendly and polite for the most part. Also, yankees are welcome (by most). As a matter of interest, Middle Georgia has less crime, of course.