Actually working in ND I looked up the open carry laws because I bring my pistol to work with me, you have to have a permit to open carry in this state. So unless they had permits yes they were carrying illegally, champ;)  Non permit holders may carry one hour before sunrise till one hour after sunset provided the firearm is unloaded and in plain sight......and nothings ever been said about Cobb not having a permit. Was the gun even loaded anyway?