Would you carry without your CCW on a trip?

Welcome to THR!

You'll get better responses if we know what States you are traveling through.

Here in NC, car carry would be legal as long as the gun is in plain sight. Open carry is legal here also.

Website with good references: http://handgunlaw.us/ click - RV/car carry

ccw choice

i would not advise anyone to carry outside of the law - that being said there have been times in the past and will likely be some in the future where i have done so.... even in state where it is against the law...

if it's illegal don't do it. getting arrested with firearm related charges tends to lead to the gov't taking away your guns and CCW, fines, and jail time. It's not worth it.

Seems to me your only problem would be Alabama. Considering how short that leg is, I'd just unload it and put it in the trunk.

Unlicensed carry map from opencarry.org

In some states any crime that involves a fire arm has a certain minimum jail/prison time. Plus, even if you are only speeding and are found with a gun you should not be carrying in the manner you are (not locked in the trunk for example) you risk loosing your CCW in some states.

You should check out that link above about the rules for each state you are traveling through. While you might not be able to keep a loaded gun concealed on your person while driving, you might be allowed to have it locked in the trunk of your car and then inside a hotel/motel room.

Personally, although I have a CCW, I might have it inside a motel/hotel room loaded and ready if I didn't have a CCW. But then, I would be woman traveling alone.

I had a real bad guy when I took my CCW class. I knew I was at risk especially going to and from my work. But I didn't carry until I had the CCW. One of my greatest nightmares is going to prison or even jail. Maybe I was risking my life but I chose to follow the law just the same. ( and nothing happened during that time anyway.)

When I travel to FL next year I plan to bring my firearm.

I make my decision depending on if the destination state accepts my states handgun permit. Since I dont know what state you are from I would suggest going here and selecting the state you have a handgun permit for. That will tell you what states have reciprocity with your state. That map will even tell you if the states you are traveling through accept your handgun permit. If you go through a state that doesn't accept your states permit just follow this and you will be ok.

"A provision of federal law serves as a defense to state or local laws which would prohibit the passage of persons with firearms in interstate travel.

Notwithstanding any state or local law, a person shall be entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm if the firearm is unloaded and in the trunk. In vehicles without a trunk, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console."

It is tuff obeying gun laws sometimes. As always be safe.

I regularly drive I-10 from San Antonio to Tallahasse and return. I've yet to come anywhere near close to needing a firearm. Not at motels, not at cafes along the way. Mostly, I think, because I tend to stay in Condition Yellow and walk with confidence.

Leave home with your pistol locked away, legally. You'd be legal in Florida while in your car, and you could easily be there before nightfall with any kind of early start. But no CHL? No legal carry in Florida, except on private property.

And what we don't do at THR is advocate or comment about illegal doings. Comment is rather foolish and tantamount to bragging, "Look what I got away with!" Advocacy leads to banning.

Art

Would you go on your trip without your drivers license on you?

Probably not a smart idea.

Once in Florida glove box carry is legal and, depending on what part you will be visiting, advised

Check and follow the laws of the state you are driving through and carry pepper spray in those that don't allow glovebox carry

If you get pinched not only are you going to jail but your family will be left without you or the gun for protection

Don't do it.

Pretty simple...if it is illegal, well don't do it. Period.

Being disarmed is one one reason why I hate to visit my girlfriend's family in NJ. I always end up walking unarmed through parts of town the likes of which I wouldn't set foot on even if I was home and armed.

At least have it along for the ride unloaded if need be. Situations can change in large or small ways on a dime--a weapon always comes with (for us) especially if the family is on the trip.

You probably won't need it--but if the car breaks down you become especially vulnerable--and a stranded family is (sad to say) a target for a predator.

I would not carry illegally. I would hate to see my family vacation budget blown on bail and lawyers. That's not even considering a possible felony conviction and having my gun rights taken away.

It is ok if I am on your jury.

Get the highest concentration of OC spray that you can legally use, and carry that until you get your license. You're so close to getting your license, don't throw it away by taking chances. Be smart on your trip, and try your hardest to avoid troublesome areas.

The Firearms Owners Protection Act allows you to transport you're weapon from state A ( where the gun is legal ) to state B where the gun is legal EVEN if you have to pass into enemy states .

As for CC in states where you do not have a permit , I do what I have to do .

dbo said:

My question is this: would you take your loaded handgun with you on the trip? I know it isn't legal to do so but if a situation arose, that would probably be the least of my concerns.

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I carry only where I am legally permitted to carry.

The propect of several years in prison, followed by a lifetime of not being allowed to even touch a firearm ... any firearm ... strikes me as being somewhat of "a concern."

Not sure about Arkansas
You'll need to check out your home state.

Mississippi
You may legally carry a loaded firearm inside your vehicle. Anywhere. Glovebox. Center console. Anywhere - provided - you are over 18 years of age.

Alabama
Enemy state.

While it doesn't take but an hour to drive through Alabama on I10. It needs to be locked in the trunk.

Florida
Welcome. Enjoy. You may carry a loaded firearm in your vehicle - provided - it is securly encased. Under that law that means in a zippered gun rag, holster with thumb strap (not on you), glove box, center console, gun case etc.

Note: Open carry in FL is prohibited. (and they call Florida the gunshine state. Whatever.)

Have fun on your trip. Don't stay in FL too long. They're bat**** crazy there.

-Rob

I had some really bad experiences out in California and I always have a gun in the car. I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Steve48

At the risk of drawing the resentment of the masses, I think that on gun boards there is an overwhelming idea that if one goes out into public without a gun then a crisis will ensue.

While I always favor being prepared, the facts are that millions upon millions of people go about their daily lives in public, unarmed, with no issues whatsoever. Of course theres always the chance that the day you leave your gun behind is the day that somethng happens, but the odds weight heavily against this.

At the end of the day, keeping your head, being aware of your surroundings, and not going to places where you feel you need a gun will go alot farther than carrying with your head in the clouds.

So to answer, no its not a big deal not to carry.

I would love to say I would but unfortunately I am not willing to risk a prison term. Once again another reason to support National Reciprocity.

Xenia said:

Personally, although I have a CCW, I might have it inside a motel/hotel room loaded and ready if I didn't have a CCW.

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Your hotel room is legally considered your home. No CCW needed.