Road Trip! How to carry thru CA, AZ, NM, TX, OK, AR, TN, MS, AL?

[blacksteel]

Hey folks, I'm about to take a cross-country road trip that will carry me through the following states:

California
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Tennessee
Mississippi
Alabama

I'm planning to pack my 9mm and 6 10-round clips. I will have the firearm in the vehicle with me. And I will generally carry the firearm from the vehicle to hotel rooms.

I want to stay reasonably legal in the very unlikely case that I get 'visited' by LEOs.

Are there any legal gotchas that I need to be aware of in any of the above states?

For example, are there very strict carry rules that I should be aware of?

How about odd nuances about "concealed" -v- "open"?

I've tried doing some research on the web, but I started getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and decided to turn to you smart folks here.

 

[chris in va]

Keep it unloaded in the trunk until you get to a more gun friendly state.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Pretty much everything you need to know is right here:
http://handgunlaw.us/

 

[KiltedClaymore]

open carry in AZ!

 

[ashtxsniper]

Uh become LEO to avoid all the individual states BS. One ofthe reasons I got into LE.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Handgunlaw.us can help with most or all of your questions.

I can tell you that in CA, you cannot carry concealed, you must keep handguns unloaded and ammunition separated while in your vehicle, but there is no problem with loaded weapon(s) in your motel room, campground or wherever you are spending the night, these being considered an extension of your home. AZ allows open carry, although it is unusual in this large metro area where I live.

 

[KiltedClaymore]

^bikers do it all the time.^

 

[thegriz]

Make sure your car is properly licensed, inspected and maintained (tail lights,etc) and don't speed or drive aggressively.

We had a case here in Texas in one large city (before our recent law changes) in which the DA would prosecute people with handguns in their cars, even though TX law allowed it.

There could be other rogue DA's and officers who think it's your problem to sort things out with the judge rather then just leaving you alone with legal carry.

The best policy is to carry legally AND avoid being stopped in the first place.

 

[ilcylic]

NM requires a license for CCW, but open carry is legal.

 

[bignick73]

Can't comment on the others but in MS you can carry anywhere in the vehicle concealed or other wise loaded, unloaded whatever you want, pretty lax gun laws around here. as far as open carry here I wouldn't advise walking around with in on your hip might wanna stick it in a bag or your pocket going from the car to the hotel room, you can carry concealed as long as your permit is recognized here, anywhere but the usual, schools, fed buildings, bars etc...

If you on campus somewhere you gota keep it concealed in the vehicle, not be a student anywhere, and not brandish in a harmful manner, I know a couple people that have had some trouble over this, after they're vehicles were broken into and campus rent a cops searched they're stuff, but have never heard of anyone going to jail over it. Good thing to know if it does happen, wish I knew the code off the top of my head but I don't.

What part of MS you passin through?

 

[sailortoo]

New Mexico has open carry, but as a traveler or resident, your car is treated the same as your home - carry whatever you wish. The CCW is a bit more confused, as the state legislature is still trying to figure out what a gun is, and why people carry them, especially if there is any alcohol around.
sailortoo

 

[Frank Ettin]

Get yourself a Florida or Utah CCW. Florida would probably be the easiest, and they're reasonably quick. You could then carry concealed in all the states EXCEPT California, so you'd be covered in any case in those other states.

In California, the gun must be unloaded, in a locked case, separate from any ammunition and not accessible. It may not be in a glove box or utility box in the car. The trunk is the best place. Your hotel room is your [temporary] home, and you may have a loaded gun there.

 

[misANTHrope]

Do you have a carry permit? If so, what state issued it? Figuring out reciprocity, if it applies, is the first step.

I can tell you about TN: If you don't have a permit recognized by the state, then you need to keep the pistol unloaded and separated from the ammo in your vehicle. You cannot carry in any fashion in TN without a permit.

If you stay in a hotel in TN, I'm fairly certain that the room is legaly your domicile for the night, so you should be able to keep the pistol loaded in your room... but don't load it until you get in there, and unload it before you leave the room.

 

[Area 52]

Right. In CA, handgun must be in a locked case, separate from ammo, which I believe must be in another locked case. I could be wrong. That is one rason I'm out of this place when I'm 20. Arizona is open carry, thats what I would do. A basic rule of thumb is that your CCW permit is valid in any state that has the same or lesser requirements to get a permit. You should be able to find a site that tells you where your ccw permit is accepted.

 

[Souris]

Do you have a carry permit? If so, what state issued it? Figuring out reciprocity, if it applies, is the first step.

I can tell you about TN: If you don't have a permit recognized by the state, then you need to keep the pistol unloaded and separated from the ammo in your vehicle.

Same goes for AL
Without a recognized permit the handgun must be unloaded and unavailable to the driver.

 

[Mot45acp]

We had a case here in Texas in one large city (before our recent law changes) in which the DA would prosecute people with handguns in their cars, even though TX law allowed it.

The city was Houston. I am pretty sure that DA was busted doing other illegal stuff and had to resign.

How come if I were to get busted doing something illegal I cant just quit my job? I would have to go to jail.

 

[UhKlem]

With respect to vehicle conveyance of arms, I believe in Kinderfornica law enforcement practice generally considers ammunition attached to the gun in any way to be 'loaded', even when in detached mags, or loose rounds in an exterior pocket of a locked case or bag (ammo is thus attached to the gun). So having a locked cased revolver with rounds in speed loaders outside the case avoids that sort of interpretation, unless the test has more to do with accessibility than actual attachment. I've also heard that knives that can be opened with one hand, even something like a small Spyderco Delica is considered a concealed weapon. I believe the first offense is a misdemeanor. Getting stopped in a rural county is likely to result in a friendlier encounter. Getting stopped in an urban area the gun will likely be a conversation lengthening issue even if you fully comply with the law.

 

[csmkersh]

Without reading all the responses, I'll make this assertion.

You're good to go in AZ, NM and Texas. Both AZ and NM, while having concealed carry laws, are also unlicensed open carry states. Texas has a provision in the law covering traveling. No need to unload and place in the trunk in those states.

Since I have a Texas CHL, other than California, I'm covered to carry concealed.



​

 

[blacksteel]

Thanks for all the good info so far, folks.

Major thanks for the site: http://handgunlaw.us/

Y'all are confirming my expectations. I think I'll be alright with my hostile state mags, and being a generally upstanding citizen.

Keep the info coming if there's more to tell.

 

[belus]

Arizona:

Thanks to an Appellate court decision, you cannot have a loaded firearm in the passenger compartment, under your immediate control, without a concealed carry permit. UNLESS it is in plain view to a casual observer outside the vehicle. The wording of the Arizona Revised Statutes isn't very clear on this and relying solely on them gets quite a few people in trouble (A.R.S. 13.3102.F). i.e. a loaded gun in a holster in the glove compartment is not okay.

You can carry the gun outside of your car without a permit if it's holstered and clearly visible. Do NOT take it into any establishment which serves alcohol for consumption on the premises or in places where there is a sign clearly posted at the entrance and you'll be fine.

 

[ALHunter]

AL.

You can get info on Alabama's reciprocal recognition of permits here:

http://www.ago.alabama.gov/ag_items.cfm?Issue=64

Safe travels.

 

[jhco]

on your hip like a man

 

[mp510]

Can't comment on the others but in MS you can carry anywhere in the vehicle concealed or other wise loaded, unloaded whatever you want, pretty lax gun laws around here. as far as open carry here I wouldn't advise walking around with in on your hip might wanna stick it in a bag or your pocket going from the car to the hotel room, you can carry concealed as long as your permit is recognized here, anywhere but the usual, schools, fed buildings, bars etc...

Mississippi courts have determined that carrying a visible pistol constitutes concealed carry if any part of the pistol is covered by anything (ie. by a holster). Anybody can carry however they want in their car, but outside of it, no carrying in MS unless you have a reciporical CCW permit.

 

[bobbarker]

In California, your best bet is to not carry. Period. If you must, wear it openly, do NOT have it loaded, keep the Magazine in a mag pouch on the opposite side of your belt as the gun, also exposed. Problem being, if you are within 1000 ft of a school zone, WHETHER YOU KNOW IT'S THERE OR NOT, and whether you are in your vehicle or not, you are in violation of the law. So, after having been arrested for open carrying, my reccomendation is not to do it in Cali.

I have not checked this out, but have it from a reliable source(Staff Sergeant in my command from AZ) That when Carrying in AZ your weapon MUST be loaded, or you are in violation of the law. Obviously, check that one out, but my stance on CA stays the same. Best not to do it, if you want to stay within the bounds of the law.