KBCraig
Regular Member
Creating a map of state laws on vehicle carry can be complex, because there are so many variations and restrictions, not to mention case law, that are unique to each state. But, it wouldn't hurt to have a map that gives a general overview of the situation.
I propose a map that covers the law for exactly one thing: possession within a vehicle of a handgun that is loaded and accessible for use. Any state that restricts car carry to unloaded, or locked in a case, would be the same as no carry at all.
Here are the three broad categories:
I took my information from handgunlaw.us, and it's likely that I missed something. I didn't include age requirements, which vary. If anyone cares to look over my list and make corrections or suggestion, feel free.
1. No license required
Alaska (Must inform police if stopped for an official purpose)
Arizona
Colorado
Florida (Must be "cased", but this includes a glove compartment or console)
Georgia (Own vehicle only, or with owner's permission)
Idaho (License required inside any city limits)
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
South Carolina (Must be concealed in a compartment)
Texas (Concealed only)
Utah
Vermont
Virginia (Concealed in a compartment)
West Virginia (Some debate about non-residents)
Wisconsin (1,000 foot gun free school zones for non-licensees)
Wyoming (Off-body only without a license)
2. License required
Alabama
Arkansas (Effectively, despite their journey law)
California
Connecticut
Delaware (License not required for Open Carry)
Hawaii (Good luck with that one)
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska (License not required for Open Carry)
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina (License not required for Open Carry)
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Washington
3. No legal car carry
District of Columbia
Illinois
Thanks for taking a look and making suggestions.
I propose a map that covers the law for exactly one thing: possession within a vehicle of a handgun that is loaded and accessible for use. Any state that restricts car carry to unloaded, or locked in a case, would be the same as no carry at all.
Here are the three broad categories:
- No license required
- License required
- No legal car carry
I took my information from handgunlaw.us, and it's likely that I missed something. I didn't include age requirements, which vary. If anyone cares to look over my list and make corrections or suggestion, feel free.
1. No license required
Alaska (Must inform police if stopped for an official purpose)
Arizona
Colorado
Florida (Must be "cased", but this includes a glove compartment or console)
Georgia (Own vehicle only, or with owner's permission)
Idaho (License required inside any city limits)
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
South Carolina (Must be concealed in a compartment)
Texas (Concealed only)
Utah
Vermont
Virginia (Concealed in a compartment)
West Virginia (Some debate about non-residents)
Wisconsin (1,000 foot gun free school zones for non-licensees)
Wyoming (Off-body only without a license)
2. License required
Alabama
Arkansas (Effectively, despite their journey law)
California
Connecticut
Delaware (License not required for Open Carry)
Hawaii (Good luck with that one)
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska (License not required for Open Carry)
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina (License not required for Open Carry)
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Washington
3. No legal car carry
District of Columbia
Illinois
Thanks for taking a look and making suggestions.
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