[stv]

I'm going on a road trip with some family members this week - we're driving from California to Arizona and then to New Mexico, seeing the sights in New Mexico, then back through NM and AZ to home. packing.org is a decent resource but couldn't really answer my questions, and the individual states' websites weren't helpful.

What are the laws on transporting a firearm within the states of Arizona and New Mexico? In California the gun has to be unloaded, in a locked container, separate from magazines and ammunition, etc., but how does this work in these states?

This is a sort of spur of the moment trip, so there isn't any time to get nonres permits or anything like that.

Thanks in advance.

[Gray Peterson]

In NM, your car is considered an extension of your home under NM law, so you can carry a firearm concealed in your vehicle. However, without a NM CHL (which you can't get as a non-NM resident), you cannot carry concealed outside of your car. Open carry is legal, and there is no locality in the state that can regulate it. Harassment factor varies, AFAIK.

I do not know the car gun laws in Arizona. I do know that in Arizona, open carry is legal. ALL of the law enforcement in the state know about this, and if a cop harasses you, ask for their supervisor that you are carrying under law, and that you don't have a choice other than to carry open because you do not have a permit from a state AZ recognizes. AZ has had legal open carry for over a century, and most cops know this, but you have your rookies.

[Lennyjoe]

Open carry is legal for you in both Arizona and NM. Feel free to exercise your rights.

Just one word of caution. Learn the laws of these states as to where you cannot open carry.

I know for sure you cannot carry at all in a restraunt that serves alcohol for on site consumption in Arizona. :cuss:

[Treylis]

I'm going to assume you don't have a CCW permit valid in Arizona.

Pistols and long guns are treated the same, basically, and it doesn't matter if they're loaded. Open carry is fine and you won't get hassled for it, particularly if you're in more rural areas. If you want to stash the gun out of the way, anywhere in the car is fine as long as it's in a holster--so if you're going to throw it in the glovebox, under the seat, etc., just put it in a holster first. You should be doing that anyways. ;-P So, basically, do whatever you want, on body or off, as long as it's in a holster.

I recently traveled to California to escort a friend and the Cali gun laws are just ridiculous.

[Hawkmoon]

In researching laws, be sure you don't confuse the laws applying to when you are IN the state with the provisions of the Firearms Owners Protection Act (FOPA), which applies strictly to situations when you are in transit THROUGH a state. Stopping for gas and lunch along the Interstate falls within the purview of transit through a state, and it is probable that in a large state even an overnight stay at a motel near an interchage would qualify. But as soon os you leave the direct route and drop in on Uncle Jim and Aunt Millie, you are now IN the state and not in transit through.