In my game, we tend to restrict longarms more than sidearms in civilized areas. (It's worth remembering that many city gun laws in the Old West were stricter than anything in place today.) Sometimes there is permitting involved, sometimes they accept the permits filed at the company HQ on Naboo, sometimes there are not any permits required, but it's all hand-waved with the rest of the paperwork.

As has been said above - it seems to be a local issue more than a galactic one, so I'd take it on a planet-by-planet or even city-by-city basis as plot requires.

One other issue of note - why is that person armed?, the authorities might ask. While common in a great many places, having a blaster at your hip might attract increased scrutiny, depending on the location. Perfectly legal, but the cops will do more than just spare a passing glance in your direction.

One other issue of note - why is that person armed?, the authorities might ask. While common in a great many places, having a blaster at your hip might attract increased scrutiny, depending on the location. Perfectly legal, but the cops will do more than just spare a passing glance in your direction.

That may be true. But unless it serves plot I wouldn't worry about it. This is Star Wars. Not Bureaucrat Wars.

Real World Example: In Australia in the late 90's a mass shooting which resulted in the deaths of 34 innocent civillians. The Government in response brought in sweeping gun laws which restricted many weapons (if not all) and ownership was through licence only. This change occurred ALL within a 3 month period.

Just sayin'

Well in the real world all this has resulted in is more successful criminals. More crime of every type.

Now there's a story for an adventure right there...

The way I have it is from the Colonies on out Side Arms go without much notice, if any, but particular local laws may apply. It is also expected that individual towns or places of business may require onsite storage (customer gun lockers). Long Arms such as a hunting weapons are noticed but generally not an issue unless handled provocatively, again local laws will vary. Military weapons will be noticed and many localities will require that they be stowed or even turned in. Concealed fire arms are expected but frowned upon when noticed.

Core and Deep Core any weapon will be noticed and in general open carry is prohibited but concealed carry is mostly overlooked. Any Long Arms need to be stowed in some way for travel and Military weapons are going to get yo a visit by Law Enforcement.

What about this: does a properly licensed bounty hunter have a reasonable excuse to open carry whatever they feel like? Because in a roundabout way they're considered law enforcement and the Empire does issue such licenses not just the guild

Eternal mantra: Depends on the planet, or even the city on the planet.

I would argue all a bounty hunting licence gives you is freedom from being arrested for shooting a target for which you have a valid bounty taken out for. It's a licence to attack and restrain someone, not a weapons licence.

If you want to add that part in though, I'd assume most Law Enforcement agencies consider a Bounty Hunting Licence as a valid weapons licence for whatever weapons you can be licenced for at the location. A planet that never allows for non-military to carry rifles isn't going to ignore that law just because of a licence. Some locations, however, may require the bounty hunter to present themselves and their licence to the local law enforcement agency prior to taking their weapons out from their ship.

What about this: does a properly licensed bounty hunter have a reasonable excuse to open carry whatever they feel like? Because in a roundabout way they're considered law enforcement and the Empire does issue such licenses not just the guild

I'd treat it like armed Security. In the Core they can openly carry but must have something visibly identifying them as such along with their ID. In the Colonies and beyond they would follow the same or at least have ID for local Law Enforcement to check when asked. In either case they would very likely be required to follow local custom unless actively attempting to apprehend. Basically if the local Peace Officer asks you to stow a Carbine or Rifle you should do so as they are a com-link call away from getting your License revoked in their jurisdiction. Same goes if the barkeep tells you, not because he can get your license revoked but because he likely has a town full of friends that could ruin your day.

In the end it's really about what kind of game you want to play. Is it a D&D-carry-your-life-on-your-back-kill-anything-that-isn't-a-PC-race kind of game, or Star Wars

Something to consider as well it's not always about "can you" as much as it's about "should you".

Sure maybe you're on a planet where it's perfectly legal to open carry any gun you want but if you're going to meet with prospective clientele how are they going to react when fully a armed and armored group walks and sits down at a table with them? How likely to be friendly are the locals going to be to the armed militia walking through their market? Their far more likely to cut that meeting short or close up their shops either from fear or otherwise towards the pc's.

I suspect that anywhere in Hutt Space would be pretty lax on such laws, given that the crime rate IS the governing policy. DBL also makes a good point that entering into negotiations while armed is a sign of bad faith, or would be in an instance where one expects it to go bad.

One of the other reasons why weapon laws may be less restrictive even where one might expect it to be is that unlike current slug throwing firearms, many if not most energy weapons have a stun setting. Permits might require that weapons be set to stun rather than standard, and any weapon that cannot stun would be restricted.

I suspect that anywhere in Hutt Space would be pretty lax on such laws, given that the crime rate IS the governing policy. DBL also makes a good point that entering into negotiations while armed is a sign of bad faith, or would be in an instance where one expects it to go bad.

One of the other reasons why weapon laws may be less restrictive even where one might expect it to be is that unlike current slug throwing firearms, many if not most energy weapons have a stun setting. Permits might require that weapons be set to stun rather than standard, and any weapon that cannot stun would be restricted.

Yep and not just weapons either, if someone shows up wearing full laminate it begs the question why do they think they need all that armor? If they're transporting a dangerous bounty sure, but if they're just going to the Cantina for a few drinks or to the store to buy some ammo and are wearing it "just in case" something goes wrong and they don't want to be caught ungeared then others are going to want to avoid being around them if they're expecting trouble where that kind of gear is necessary for just day to day business because it basically tells people around you "someone could pop up with a high powered weapon and start shooting me at any moment, that's' why I need this". Chances are they wont want to have anything to do with you. Not to mention you can say goodbye to blending into a lot of places. As for Hutt Space it kinda depends where, places like Tatooine? Sure, but Nar Shadaa which is basically space las vegas? I'm not sure casino owners would react to kindly to people walking in armed to their gambling establishment, especially with the money changing hands there.

Sure, but Nar Shadaa which is basically space las vegas? I'm not sure casino owners would react to kindly to people walking in armed to their gambling establishment, especially with the money changing hands there.

Nar Shadaa is more like Space Las Vegas with many different mobs openly operating and often coming into conflict. It would be odd to find someone operating there that didn't have protection (a weapon, bodyguards, or both).

Sure, but Nar Shadaa which is basically space las vegas? I'm not sure casino owners would react to kindly to people walking in armed to their gambling establishment, especially with the money changing hands there.

Nar Shadaa is more like Space Las Vegas with many different mobs openly operating and often coming into conflict. It would be odd to find someone operating there that didn't have protection (a weapon, bodyguards, or both).

I just use 3 main rules for weapon laws:

1. What kind of weapon is it? If I were to walk around carrying it openly but not pointing it at anyone, what kind of a response would I get from local law enforcement and civilians? Is ownership of this kind of weapon restricted on this planet?

2. Is it obviously hot? If I had clearly taken this weapon from the military, how would this reaction change? What if they were from this planet?

3. In recent history, has this planet faced any major conflicts? Is the planet currently facing the control of some crime-lord or warlord who uses armed troops to enforce his reign? What if the PCs were mistaken to be a group of his lackeys?

The Empire surely has to maintain control over subverted worlds. This undoubtedly includes demilitarization of the world, replacement of defenses with Imperial Garrison, and laws preventing the sale/use of firearms by the people.

Dac and Ryloth citizens surely are not permitted to use weapons, as example.

Just another thought. I try to get my Players to approach situations like real (Movie-real) heroes would. Most of the time we see them with a side arm or it's equivalent because the world is a dangerous place and they are no fools. However, when the situation demands it they gear up and aim to misbehave...

http://youtu.be/opB2IjmHjEw?t=30m43s

Thank you for all of the interesting replies and ideas. I am glad the question brought out some good debate.