Firearms transporting question. Driving CA to Texas

[Kingofthehill]

Ive checked Handgunlaw.us and didn't see my answer...

Im driving from CA to TX... Going through CA, AZ,NM,TX..

Being i am a resident of CA can i carry a loaded handgun in my car for protection during the trip once i pass CA borders? In CA the ammo has to be seperate from the ammo in a completely different location of the vehicle and the firearm locked up.

Since i'll be towing a car and full of a lot of stuff, some valuable and the overall safety of my girlfriend and myself in a 24hr non stop drive... I want to be as safe as possible.

Curious if it has to be in glovebox, chambered? mag not in the gun? Concealed?

I have no permit yet, and like i said, CA resident.

Thanks!..

JOe

 

[nalioth]

Being i am a resident of CA can i carry a loaded handgun in my car for protection during the trip once i pass CA borders?

It doesn't work like that.

You are bound by the laws of the location you are currently in. Doesn't matter where you live.

California doesn't make law in AZ, NM, or Texas (thank heavens).

In Texas you can have your long guns on the seat next to you (and your handguns out of sight underneath them)

 

[chris in va]

Every state is different. Some allow a loaded firearm in the vehicle, others don't. I've known more than a few people that purposely travel AROUND states that aren't firearm friendly (MD, for example).

Generally speaking the only safe way to transport a firearm is locked in a case, unloaded, separate from ammunition in the trunk or furthest point in the vehicle away from the driver. Beyond that, it's up to the individual state.

 

[Quiet]

In CA, it is legal, to have an unloaded handgun and ammo in the same locked container. Unloaded open carry is also legal in CA.

AZ and NM are open carry states.

TX does not allow open carry of any kind. But, does allow you to store a loaded handgun in your vehicle.

If you map/plan your trip right, you can unloaded open carry your handgun or have your unloaded handgun & ammo in a locked container on the seat next to you while driving through CA, then load your handgun & open carry while driving through AZ & NV, then store your loaded handgun in your vehicle while driving in TX.

A non-resident UT or non-resident FL CCW permit, would allow you to conceal carry in AZ, NM and TX. So, getting a non-resident UT or FL permit would simplify how you can carry/possess a loaded handgun on your trip.

For more information about open carrying, check out opencarry.org

 

[Mountie855]

Gun Laws

This is a compilation of all states' gun laws:

http://www.gunlaws.com/travel.htm

The Traveler's Guide
to the Firearm Laws
of the Fifty States
by J. Scott Kappas, Esq.

 

[nalioth]

TX does not allow open carry of any kind. But, does allow you to store a loaded handgun in your vehicle.
<snip>
then store your loaded handgun in your vehicle while driving in TX.

I think "store" is the wrong word here. This is Texas.

The actual Texas law says 'the handgun must be out of public view' while in the automobile. This can mean:

• In the glove box
• In the center console
• On your person (so long as it's concealed and you're within the law¹)
• Wrapped in todays newspaper on the seat next to you
• Stuffed 'tween the cushions
• In the door map pocket

and so on.

The law doesn't specify loaded or unloaded.


¹ You are only legal to carry between your residence and your vehicle under the Motorist Protection act - so no on-the-person carry at the gas/rest stops. A hotel counts as your residence.

P.S. Texas has no laws on the carriage of long guns. Loaded / unloaded, in the seat next to you, on the dashboard, in the floorboards, whatever.

 

[biblefreak]

I can vouch for Texas. Current penal code is very clear that so long as you are not a felon or otherwise not prohibited from owning a gun, not taking part of a criminal act of class b misdemeanor or worse, and the firearm is concealed as nalioth stated, you are good to go.

NM considers your vehicle to be an extension of your home so you should be good to go there. CA and AZ I am not sure of.

So the real question is, are you leaving California and joining a free state?

GOD BLESS TEXAS! (Yes, I am aware I am shouting!)

Edited to add: Just saw your other thread. Did I mention GOD BLESS TEXAS!!!! ?

 

[jfdavis58]

Go back to handgunlaw and click on the RV/Car carry item upper left of page; wait for PDF to load--there's the answer.

In NM you can do anything in your car that you can do in your home (if it were in NM). For your safety don't menace other drivers by pointing any firearm out the window. And don't shoot from a moving vehicle; stop, put one foot out on the ground, take careful aim and then shoot the bad guy.

 

[harrygunner]

To keep it simple:

I'm sure you're taking the 10 Fwy. In California, place an unloaded gun and loaded magazines in a small range bag with a quick release lock on it and place it in your girl friend's lap. That's legal in California, except for known gang members.

Once you cross the border to Arizona, I recall a rest stop shows up quickly or a dozen or so miles further, the town of Quartzsite appears. Load the gun, place it in a holster and place it in your glove compartment.

That is legal to your destination. (The holster is needed in AZ.)

Enjoy.

 

[Kingofthehill]

That is legal to your destination. (The holster is needed in AZ.)

Interesting... Good information!..

Thanks!... i'll continue with my research.

THanks everybody

JOe