[vindibona1]

I don't recall seeing this issue before...
We know that around the house we don't have to cover our weapons and can open carry as we like (not cover with a garment if we typically wear concealed. But here is the question that I didn't know the answer to...

If you live in a condo or apartment, particularly condo where you everthing outside of your immediiate unit is "common area", yet not going beyond the interior walls of the building, must you conceal your weapon as if you were in public? Are the common areas of an apartment building or condo (still) considered your "home" to carry with your weapon exposed?

Yeah, I know just seeing a gun freaks some people out. But the freak-out factor aside, where does your "home" end in a multi-unit building?

 

[wrenrj1]

Check the laws in your state. Sounds like it would be private property so those rules would exist unless there's something specific in the laws where you live.

 

[peng]

Read your condo bylaws. Many prohibit firearms altogether as they are copied boilerplate documents.

My last one did. Ha ha.

 

[MarkCO]

Check the laws in your state.

Good answer.

But I'd answer the rest of it that the common areas are NOT your domicile. Private property subject to the rules of the HOA, board or managements policies.

 

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

Your home ends where the common property starts or by your own words,"everthing outside of your immediiate unit is "common area" ", I'd venture. What does your lease or landlord say about it?

 

[fg17]

Not sure if it applies. But there is a difference between private property and private property open to the public, at least as far as landowners rights go in my state.

 

[vindibona1]

Good answer.

But I'd answer the rest of it that the common areas are NOT your domicile. Private property subject to the rules of the HOA, board or managements policies.

Your home ends where the common property starts or by your own words,"everthing outside of your immediiate unit is "common area" ", I'd venture. What does your lease or landlord say about it?

Not sure if it applies. But there is a difference between private property and private property open to the public, at least as far as landowners rights go in my state.

Within the above quotes are the root of the question. What I know is that, to the best of my knowledge the bylaws say nothing about firearms. Have read them several times. To the best of my knowledge the issue has never come up I have never seen anything specific in Illinois general or condo law that addresses the issue.

 

[bad shot 2]

My guess is you would be breaking two laws, condo laws and state laws if your in a no Open carry state.you don’t want any one in the Condo to know you have a gun anyway. Here in Florida the first person to heve their guns confiscated. Buy the red flag law lived in a Condo. The neighbors said he acted crazy. Thanks Rick Scott.

 

[vindibona1]

My guess is you would be breaking two laws, condo laws and state laws if your in a no Open carry state.you don’t want any one in the Condo to know you have a gun anyway. Here in Florida the first person to heve their guns confiscated. Buy the red flag law lived in a Condo. The neighbors said he acted crazy. Thanks Rick Scott.

Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on how one inteprets the boundaries of one's home. One way to look at it is to replace the world "common" with "shared". Shared space is what it is techincally. How much different is it than having room mates with separate bedrooms or suites? It's all up too interpretation.

 

[Wake County Glockman]

Simple, concealed means concealed everything else is open carry.

Your home ends at the front door.

 

[Grabbrass]

you don’t want any one in the Condo to know you have a gun anyway.

Yep. For many reasons.

 

[Sam Spade]

Sounds to me like this is the perfect scenario to drop some bucks on a lawyer. Certainly cheaper than whatever you’d end up paying if you guessed wrong.

 

[walkinguf61]

You have to look at the case law where you live. Some places, since the condo is private property, might be legal to open carry in common areas. It depends on what the case law is in your area.

 

[Hoss]

Your home ends at the front door.

^^^^^
Condo and Apartment life.

 

[rich52us]

I'm the pres. of a condo association in South Florida. To my knowledge, anything outside your doors is not your private property and you have no control over the common areas. All laws that govern everyone outside their domain apply. You can open carry in your home, but not outside. Florida has strict laws against open carry unless you are hunting or fishing or have a class G security license. Your state and local laws may be different.

 

[CDW4ME]

I MUST conceal everywhere, even in my home.
The people in my house know I'm packing, doesn't matter; concealed carry is best carry.

 

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

... Have read them several times. To the best of my knowledge the issue has never come up I have never seen anything specific in Illinois general or condo law that addresses the issue.

Then spring for a real lawyer or keep it concealed. Interpreting the law based upon opinions you get on the internet is as advisable as whizzing into the wind.

 

[Schrag4]

I MUST conceal everywhere, even in my home.
The people in my house know I'm packing, doesn't matter; concealed carry is best carry.

Agree with this. If it’s already concealed, you don’t need to do anything if, for some reason, you need to go outside, greet someone at the door, kids have friends over, whatever. You’re ready to roll 100% of the time.

 

[dresserisland]

I conceal EVERYWHERE. My wife knows I have a permit but she doesn't know how often I carry, which is, well, you know....

People don't know I carry and it's better that way. It's the only way.

 

[Redeemed]

Simple, concealed means concealed everything else is open carry.

Your home ends at the front door.

Or rather at the property line.