Who to contact for state gun laws?

[JImbothefiveth]

Well I looked up my states gun laws and need some interpretation, to make sure I don't violate any laws. I want to get this from a government agency, so I know the .gov says it's okay. Consulting a lawyer seems like it might be risky, because it might be his interpretation but not the government's. Who should I contact? Is there say, an ATF Ohio or ATF Indiana?

 

[SCKimberFan]

It would be easier if we knew what state you were in. Post the law here (copy & paste). You may get some assistance.

In the meantime check Handgunlaws.us for starters.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Well, I don't like to give out my location over the internet, so either Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, or Pensylvania.
Will the ATF interpret state gun laws if I send them a letter asking?

 

[REB]

I would start with the state Attorney General. Whether they will take the time to answer you will have to be seen.

Some AGs have web sites that you can search for official opinions if one exist. These opinions are often better than just reading the code because they also take case law into consideration.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Thanks for the reply! If anyone has any organizations specific to any of those states, please list them. I think after reviewing some laws, Opencarry.org has some false information BTW.

Department of Attorney General is not responsible for any “mistakes/misinterpretations of law”

From a thread a while back, where some guy got a letter from the AG or the department of AG.

 

[Schmidlin]

http://handgunlaw.us/#


that might help

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Thanks!

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Allright, I looked at the nadgunlaws website and I don't think it's quite what I was looking for. I have an obscure yet specific question that need interpretation. It is related to agriculture, so would the department of agriculture help?

 

[Librarian]

If you plan to take an action that involves a legal risk, you need to hire a lawyer, in your state, who is familiar with the area.

Presuming you ask around to get someone competent, the lawyer's opinion will be FAR more reliable than any information you get from an average government employee (not to disparage all government employees). Lawyers are subject to discipline and malpractice suits if they make serious mistakes. That doesn't necessarily apply to losing in court!

Picking on an easy target, IRS is reputed to frequently give inaccurate tax information, but the agents/employees are not liable for acting on that information, the tax payer is.

I'm neither a lawyer nor a government employee.

 

[brickeyee]

You pay for your attorney to research the law (statute and case).

Attorneys General do not normally issue individual answers to questions from the public since you are not their client, the government is thier client.

They would have to do the same research as your attorney and would be very unlikely to stand by the information.

 

[AMBASSADOR]

I would try your local state police,thats what I did when I wanted to know the gun law in my state,it worked for me.

 

[brickeyee]

I would try your local state police,thats what I did when I wanted to know the gun law in my state,it worked for me.

Police are far from an authority on the laws.
Their knowledge of case law is often very lacking.

 

[Duke Junior]

Police are far from an authority on the laws.
Their knowledge of case law is often very lacking.

Now this should be a sticky.

 

[LKB3rd]

In CT the State Police will tell you that open carry is not allowed, which I guess is true, but there are no laws against it.
Point being, they are good to find out what will get you arrested, but not necessarily good on the laws.

 

[NavyLCDR]

In CT the State Police will tell you that open carry is not allowed, which I guess is true, but there are no laws against it.

Why would their opinion be true if there is no law against it?

 

[NC Dave]

Police are far from an authority on the laws.
Their knowledge of case law is often very lacking

.

Now this should be a sticky.

Indeed - in big, bold, flashing letters!

I agree with others, get the opinion of a good attorney.

 

[cambeul41]

Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Laws
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/1,1607,7-123-1591_3503_4654---,00.html
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10929--,00.html (Application and instructions)
http://www.mcrgo.org/mcrgo/d_ccwfaq.asp CCW / CPL FAQ's/Ask the Lawyer

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Allright, thanks! The question was about carrying in my own home, without a permit,and I thought you would need to have a certain job to do that.A quick glance at the government site said it's fine. Well, anyone know a good gun shop near the Ohio-Pensylvania border?
See also this thread. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=390975

 

[Schmidlin]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...40.82628,-80.535278&spn=2.510566,3.790283&z=8


try that link out.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Thank you, Schmidlin!

 

[SCKimberFan]

Heller tells us that carrying (read: bear) in our home is our RIGHT! You have the right to defend yourself in your home. You have always had that right as a citizen of this country. It just took Heller to clarify it. It doesn't matter what city/state you are in (except for the Socialist Republic of Chicago).

Had you been more specific in the beginning, you would have received the answer a lot sooner.

 

[Linda]

If you are in Ohio, the Ohio Attorney General's website will give you the concealed carry laws.

The BEST place for updates on laws or general 2nd Amendment information is http://www.BuckeyeFirearms.org
Buckeye Firearms is the only 2A organization that is consistently in the Statehouse.

If you would like to retain an attorney to guide you through gun laws, then Ken Hanson is the man.