Are there any states in the South to avoid when transporting firearms?

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I guess I don't think it is all that crazy but then I have been living with the law forever.

You must have a Permit/License to carry a loaded handgun in any vehicle.

A person may lawfully transport a firearm, including a handgun, from one state in which they are legal to possess to another state without a permit as required under Alabama law, provided the following conditions are met:

- The firearm is unloaded.
- Neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle.
- In case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's compartment, the firearm and ammunition shall be in a locked container other than the glove box or console.
 
Back in the 90’s there was a rash of car-jackings in GA that prompted GA to change the carry in vehicle laws. Non permit holders here can carry a loaded handgun in certain locations of a vehicle. Most people I know don’t think about the laws changing as they cross state lines. I didn’t until I started reading/learning about the different laws. Not saying I’ve broken any laws, but it would have been real easy to forget the implications of crossing state lines when driving to the AL feed store I frequent.


And how about any specific cities to really avoid?
Cities to avoid? My first thought is: Yes; most of them. I can’t speak for other States, but GA has State preemption of gun laws. As long as you’re following GA State law, you’re good to go.
 
I guess I don't think it is all that crazy but then I have been living with the law forever.

You must have a Permit/License to carry a loaded handgun in any vehicle.

A person may lawfully transport a firearm, including a handgun, from one state in which they are legal to possess to another state without a permit as required under Alabama law, provided the following conditions are met:

- The firearm is unloaded.
- Neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle.
- In case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's compartment, the firearm and ammunition shall be in a locked container other than the glove box or console.
What he said ^^ but for some weird reason a few officers (very few but they are around) have a tendency to think that a handgun in a vehicle is a ticket to jail if no permit is present regardless of where or how or for what reason the handgun is being transported...Witnessed this little deal first hand state law was followed but the person still took a ride so be careful and don't give them a reason to pull you over. On the other hand there is no issues at all for a long gun.....go figure....
 
MtnCreek:

It happened to a coworker's wife at night in College Park, at the exit from the interstate on Virginia Ave., by the ATL airport.

The low-life jumped in at the light or stop sign and wanted a ride somewhere.
 
Know the laws of the cites/states you intend to visit. If you are travelling with a firearm you MUST take it upon yourself to get educated. There won't be any municipalities that will single you out and target you if you are obeying the law.
 
I am most concerned with transporting firearms unloaded and locked in a case in the back of an SUV from Georgia to Arizona. If any of the states between GA and AZ will have a problem with passing through with guns, I could avoid the state altogether.
 
What the heck was your coworker's wife doing in college park at night with her doors unlocked? The best answer there isn't a gun, it's having your doors locked and paying attention so you can drive away.
 
What he said ^^ but for some weird reason a few officers (very few but they are around) have a tendency to think that a handgun in a vehicle is a ticket to jail if no permit is present regardless of where or how or for what reason the handgun is being transported...Witnessed this little deal first hand state law was followed but the person still took a ride so be careful and don't give them a reason to pull you over. On the other hand there is no issues at all for a long gun.....go figure....


This is what I am worried about. What state/city is this happening at?

The other issue is where I have read of officers asking for proof of purchase such as a bill of sale.
 
Do you not have any carry licenses/permits?

No, my state does not require any special permits to own, and I can't carry at work where I spend most of my time so no carry permit or any other permit.
 
I would still recommend getting a carry license. I'm sure you spend a LOT of time not at work, and when you travel it can greatly simplify some things as well.

When will you be traveling? Do you have time to get a license?

I also think that getting more permits issued can help politically by showing how many people would be affected if somebody were to decide to further restrict the RKBA
 
What the heck was your coworker's wife doing in college park at night with her doors unlocked? The best answer there isn't a gun, it's having your doors locked and paying attention so you can drive away.

Exactly

OP - don't overstress this - unless you are driving in a manner that will get you stopped, keep it in the trunk and you should be good to go. WAY too many go too far overboard for simple transportation through a state - especially here in the South, where you can find stores selling guns just about everywhere
 
With no valid carry permit, I suggest you keep the guns unloaded and stored separately but not within reach of any passenger or drive (aka keep them in the trunk assuming you have a trunk).
 
Just don't drive stupid and draw attention to yourself. I have driven from Tx to the UP of Mi several times a year for the last 5 years. Nary a problem. With the latest changes to the laws of the states I go through, only in WI do I have to put my carry pistol in the trailer....chris3
 
I have never had a problem either relative to firearm transport or carry. I fish and hunt and have never been checked by a warden for a license when in the field. But when giving advice, one needs to provide suggestions that follow the law as we know it.
 
What is a carry permit? I know in Clark County Nevada, you need a blue card to own a handgun. However, a "carry permit" is that a CCW, I'm a bit confused. Don't sound Constitutional to me?!
 
This is what I am worried about. What state/city is this happening at?

The other issue is where I have read of officers asking for proof of purchase such as a bill of sale.
I personally live in N. Bama and my best advice is to not do anything to get pulled over to start with. The law in Bama is pretty gray and the individual officer can use his judgement even if it's wrong. Without a permit the handgun has to be unloaded and in a "SECURE WRAPPER" (that's the gray area and this can be anything from a thumb break holster to a locked metal case it just depends on the cop you deal with) and the only reason for transport allowed is from place of purchase to residence, to or from place of repair to residence or to or from residence to place of business if you're a business owner, to or from residence to range. Being in an suv as long as it's in the very back in a locked case with ammo in a seperate locked case in the back you should be fine because Bama follows federal law as far as interstate travel by a non resident. Like I said before long arms are a non issue but just follow federal law for that too just to be safe.
 
Blue card? That is a new one for me. Guess it is a Foid card. Carry permit's are issued usually by the state based on their laws. It allows you to carry a LOADED handgun on your person or in your vehicle. Otherwise, you generally can not carry a loaded handgun on your person or vehicle unless you live in one of the few states that do not issue a carry permit. I personally believe that a "permit" should not be necessary, but the law is the law. Note that that the permit is not a universal license to carry. There are places that do not allow you to carry such as Federal buildings and so forth. Check you state laws.
 
What is a carry permit? I know in Clark County Nevada, you need a blue card to own a handgun. However, a "carry permit" is that a CCW, I'm a bit confused. Don't sound Constitutional to me

You're worried about the constitutionality of a ccw and not your blue card?

Get out into the rest of the state of NV and there is no need for a blue card
 
loose noose said:
What is a carry permit? I know in Clark County Nevada, you need a blue card to own a handgun. However, a "carry permit" is that a CCW, I'm a bit confused. Don't sound Constitutional to me?!

A carry permit is a permit that allows you to carry. Most are not a "CCW", people often use that term when it does not actually apply. My carry permits have been called LTCH (license to carry a handgun), GFL (georgia firearms license), GWL (Georgia Weapons License), and Pistol/Handgun license. There are a lot of other names for carry licenses in other states, many of which do not contain the word concealed at all. CCW seems to stand for Conceal Carry Weapon.
 
I'm glad that I had my Ps and Qs in check driving home from the CMP south store.
A couple of rifles and cases of ammo in the back. Would that have had me in hot water with the Alabama Police?
 
I'm glad that I had my Ps and Qs in check driving home from the CMP south store.
A couple of rifles and cases of ammo in the back. Would that have had me in hot water with the Alabama Police?

I doubt it. An unloaded rifle in a hardsided case separate from ammunition...

I did the same thing last week. I do have a license to carry that AL recognizes, though, so I also had two loaded handguns (one one me, one in the console)
 
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