I thought it might be interesting to see which states have the least restrictions on where a firearm may be carried. I live in FL and our CCW comes with a surprising number of off limits places considering the overall quality of Florida's gun laws. Just browsing around some random states on handgunlaw.us Texas seems to be fairly restrictive, definitely worse than Florida. Utah seems to be the most free state I've seen. What does your state's law have to say about it?
States with fewest "off limits places"?
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razorback2003
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TN not great
Tennessee is not wonderful.
1) A property owner that puts up a sign in line with provisions of state law at entrances can technically get you fined 500 bucks. I won't get too detailed because the law is referenced on handgunlaw.us.
2)School property is off limits. There are felony and misdemeanor offenses. There are exceptions and defenses such as picking up/dropping off passengers and also many people believe a NONSTUDENT adult having an unloaded firearm in the trunk while parked on school grounds (if not picking up/dropping off passengers) seems to be legal.
3)A room where a judicial proceeding is taking place is off limits. That is a felony offense.
4)Some county and city parks can put up specifically worded and sized signs that apply to those with permits to ban handgun carry. This is a Class A Misdemeanor.
If the fine was removed from #1 on the sign law, the felony and misdemeanor offenses removed for those with permits for #2, and misdemeanor for #3, we'd have pretty good gun laws in TN.
States with not many restrictions? Oregon, California, Alabama, New Hampshire, Rhode Island. I believe in those states they can all carry on any school property legally. That is pretty good.
People in Louisiana who have concealed handgun permits from their parish sheriff's department can carry on school property too. They are not bound by the same silly restrictions as the permits from the LA State Police. Parish permits are only good in the parish issued. If some Louisiana folks can fill us in on those, that would be great.
Tennessee is not wonderful.
1) A property owner that puts up a sign in line with provisions of state law at entrances can technically get you fined 500 bucks. I won't get too detailed because the law is referenced on handgunlaw.us.
2)School property is off limits. There are felony and misdemeanor offenses. There are exceptions and defenses such as picking up/dropping off passengers and also many people believe a NONSTUDENT adult having an unloaded firearm in the trunk while parked on school grounds (if not picking up/dropping off passengers) seems to be legal.
3)A room where a judicial proceeding is taking place is off limits. That is a felony offense.
4)Some county and city parks can put up specifically worded and sized signs that apply to those with permits to ban handgun carry. This is a Class A Misdemeanor.
If the fine was removed from #1 on the sign law, the felony and misdemeanor offenses removed for those with permits for #2, and misdemeanor for #3, we'd have pretty good gun laws in TN.
States with not many restrictions? Oregon, California, Alabama, New Hampshire, Rhode Island. I believe in those states they can all carry on any school property legally. That is pretty good.
People in Louisiana who have concealed handgun permits from their parish sheriff's department can carry on school property too. They are not bound by the same silly restrictions as the permits from the LA State Police. Parish permits are only good in the parish issued. If some Louisiana folks can fill us in on those, that would be great.
South Dakota's take:
The permit is valid throughout South Dakota except in any licensed on-sale malt beverage or alcoholic beverage establishment that derives over one-half of its total income from the sale of malt or alcoholic beverages (SDCL 23-7-8.1); any county courthouse as defined in SDCL 22-14-22; or any elementary or secondary schools (SDCL 13-32-7). The permit is not transferable from one person to another (SDCL 23-7-8.3).
Basically, courthouses, schools, and liquor stores/bars are the only places carry is not allowed under state law. As a nondrinker who already has his college degree and who rarely has to step in a courthouse for any reason, theres usually little reason for me to overthink where I'm carrying....
The permit is valid throughout South Dakota except in any licensed on-sale malt beverage or alcoholic beverage establishment that derives over one-half of its total income from the sale of malt or alcoholic beverages (SDCL 23-7-8.1); any county courthouse as defined in SDCL 22-14-22; or any elementary or secondary schools (SDCL 13-32-7). The permit is not transferable from one person to another (SDCL 23-7-8.3).
Basically, courthouses, schools, and liquor stores/bars are the only places carry is not allowed under state law. As a nondrinker who already has his college degree and who rarely has to step in a courthouse for any reason, theres usually little reason for me to overthink where I'm carrying....
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altitude_19
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+1 on my native South Dakota. I'm always blown away by the limitations in other states. When I'm home on leave, I can even carry in Church (only illegal if the Pastor says he doesn't want you to). Haven't seen that in any neighboring states.
Places that have had widespread CCW longer or have a higher percentage of concealed carry holders (more mainstream) have often drifted towards many of the same type of restrictions that once existed when carrying required no permit, before the final step of outlawing it or restricting it beyond practicality happened.
The start of the CCW movement and passage of shall issue laws was sort of a clean start, only to begin the same cycle over again.
It's the same cycle repeating itself that originally happened before carrying required a license.
California has very few restrictions on the statewide permit.
This is because it has been something for special people in most of the heavily populated portions of the state. So the type of restrictions they would want to impose on Regular Joe are not imposed.
Though it is issued on a county basis and some Sheriff's have imposed extra restrictions, including extremely restrictive ones, from school zone limitations, to what type of businesses it can go in, etc
Generally California has fewer restrictions on where one can take a firearm with a concealed carry license than most states, but most of the population lives in places that won't issue regular people permits.
As a result the legislator has not got around to restricting the unnoticed minority.
I am sure if it became a shall issue state the incremental restrictions would slowly be piled on.
For those with a permit California has no restrictions on schools. Not only no restrictions on places that serve or sell alcohol but even being intoxicated is legal. Few often seen restrictions for people with a permit in other states exist in California.
In California someone with a CCW permit can even carry in courthouses (though due to metal detectors and courthouse policies it may not be practical or possible to actually enter.)
The start of the CCW movement and passage of shall issue laws was sort of a clean start, only to begin the same cycle over again.
It's the same cycle repeating itself that originally happened before carrying required a license.
California has very few restrictions on the statewide permit.
This is because it has been something for special people in most of the heavily populated portions of the state. So the type of restrictions they would want to impose on Regular Joe are not imposed.
Though it is issued on a county basis and some Sheriff's have imposed extra restrictions, including extremely restrictive ones, from school zone limitations, to what type of businesses it can go in, etc
Generally California has fewer restrictions on where one can take a firearm with a concealed carry license than most states, but most of the population lives in places that won't issue regular people permits.
As a result the legislator has not got around to restricting the unnoticed minority.
I am sure if it became a shall issue state the incremental restrictions would slowly be piled on.
For those with a permit California has no restrictions on schools. Not only no restrictions on places that serve or sell alcohol but even being intoxicated is legal. Few often seen restrictions for people with a permit in other states exist in California.
In California someone with a CCW permit can even carry in courthouses (though due to metal detectors and courthouse policies it may not be practical or possible to actually enter.)
mljdeckard
Member
I bet Utah is in the top three.
Schools K-12 and universities are fine. (Albeit with the occasional squabble with school administrators who think they are above the law.)
Bars are cool. Standard for carrying is the same as for driving, .08.
State has preemption. Businesses may post, but with no force of law.
State defines 'secured facility', where you may not carry, but many of them do not meet the legal standard which requires a secured holding locker to keep weapons while you are on the facility.
Your employer may not ban guns from your vehicle.
National parks are now a go.
About the only time I'm not carrying is when I am on a military post. I don't remember the last time I had business in a courthouse or a post office, and if I do, I do as much of it as possible by mail.
Schools K-12 and universities are fine. (Albeit with the occasional squabble with school administrators who think they are above the law.)
Bars are cool. Standard for carrying is the same as for driving, .08.
State has preemption. Businesses may post, but with no force of law.
State defines 'secured facility', where you may not carry, but many of them do not meet the legal standard which requires a secured holding locker to keep weapons while you are on the facility.
Your employer may not ban guns from your vehicle.
National parks are now a go.
About the only time I'm not carrying is when I am on a military post. I don't remember the last time I had business in a courthouse or a post office, and if I do, I do as much of it as possible by mail.
Vertical453
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PA is pretty good with carry laws.
The prohibited places off the top of my head are:
Casinos
Fed Buildings
Courthouses
K-12 Schools
Detention facilities, correctional institutes, or mental hospitals
There is no law prohibiting carry in bars, and there is no law regarding drinking while carrying.
The prohibited places off the top of my head are:
Casinos
Fed Buildings
Courthouses
K-12 Schools
Detention facilities, correctional institutes, or mental hospitals
There is no law prohibiting carry in bars, and there is no law regarding drinking while carrying.
NavyLCDR
member
Washington has got to be way up there as far as freedom of carrying goes:
The statutory limitations are all contained in RCW 9.41.300 and 9.41.280(schools) and local governments are prohibited from enacting further restrictions:
The restricted access portions of jails and law enforcement agencies.
The restricted portions of courthouses used for court proceedings.
The restricted portions of public mental health facilities.
Areas designated as 21+ by the liquor control board.
Restricted areas of airports.
K-12 school premises except when picking up/dropping off student or when locked in an unattended vehicle or in an attended vehicle.
And a hunting regulation says you cannot have a loaded long gun in a vehicle.
The statutory limitations are all contained in RCW 9.41.300 and 9.41.280(schools) and local governments are prohibited from enacting further restrictions:
The restricted access portions of jails and law enforcement agencies.
The restricted portions of courthouses used for court proceedings.
The restricted portions of public mental health facilities.
Areas designated as 21+ by the liquor control board.
Restricted areas of airports.
K-12 school premises except when picking up/dropping off student or when locked in an unattended vehicle or in an attended vehicle.
And a hunting regulation says you cannot have a loaded long gun in a vehicle.
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CoRoMo
Member
Colorado is about equal with Utah.
Gun-buster signs don't hold legal weight. Bars, liquor stores, state/county/city government buildings, hospitals, churches, banks, college campi, and voting stations are all open to the armed. No law against enjoying an adult beverage while armed, no law prohibiting and no permit needed to open carry, no law prohibiting and no permit needed to keep a loaded handgun in your car.
Gun-buster signs don't hold legal weight. Bars, liquor stores, state/county/city government buildings, hospitals, churches, banks, college campi, and voting stations are all open to the armed. No law against enjoying an adult beverage while armed, no law prohibiting and no permit needed to open carry, no law prohibiting and no permit needed to keep a loaded handgun in your car.
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atlctyslkr
Member
Things are pretty good in Georgia. We got bar carry and carry on public transportation not too long ago.
henschman
Member
Oklahoma is pretty typical of CCL states... it is illegal to carry:
in a government building
in a place that makes over half it's money from alcohol
while intoxicated
at a school
in a church
These are all misdemeanors. The law also provides that you can legally leave your handgun concealed in your vehicle in the designated parking area of any of these places.
Also, it is not a criminal offense to carry on private property where a "gunbuster" sign is posted... the worst that can happen is that the property owner can kick you off the property and/or file a civil suit for trespass to land.
Oklahoma also forces business owners to allow their employees store guns in their cars, even in a private parking lot owned by the business owner. That's one of those supposedly "pro gun" laws that I do not support, being that it violates the property rights of business owners.
As for which state has the least prohibitions on places to carry, I don't know... I heard on the news that it is not illegal to carry in government buildings, courthouses, etc. in AZ... it seems that this is prohibited in most other states, so AZ may be the most free in this regard.
in a government building
in a place that makes over half it's money from alcohol
while intoxicated
at a school
in a church
These are all misdemeanors. The law also provides that you can legally leave your handgun concealed in your vehicle in the designated parking area of any of these places.
Also, it is not a criminal offense to carry on private property where a "gunbuster" sign is posted... the worst that can happen is that the property owner can kick you off the property and/or file a civil suit for trespass to land.
Oklahoma also forces business owners to allow their employees store guns in their cars, even in a private parking lot owned by the business owner. That's one of those supposedly "pro gun" laws that I do not support, being that it violates the property rights of business owners.
As for which state has the least prohibitions on places to carry, I don't know... I heard on the news that it is not illegal to carry in government buildings, courthouses, etc. in AZ... it seems that this is prohibited in most other states, so AZ may be the most free in this regard.
Again to amend the PA. restrictions....Casinos are not restricted except by signage, which means that you are not committing a criminal offense to carry but could be charged with tresspass if discovered and you refuse to leave. Schools carry is defined as allowed for any other legal purpose(the issues has not be challenged yet)
Where did it say mental institutions in the law? I have never seen it. (it doesnt)
Where did it say mental institutions in the law? I have never seen it. (it doesnt)
Ronsch
Member
Alaska has the following:
Alaska Statute 11.61.220 allows anyone 21 or older, who may legally carry a firearm to also carry it concealed without having to obtain a special permit. The possession of a firearm at courthouses, school yards, bars and domestic violence shelters will continue to be prohibited. Alaskans may obtain a concealed carry permit if they want reciprocity with other states.
I love the whole "school yards" part of it...I never hang around or carry in school yards....
Alaska Statute 11.61.220 allows anyone 21 or older, who may legally carry a firearm to also carry it concealed without having to obtain a special permit. The possession of a firearm at courthouses, school yards, bars and domestic violence shelters will continue to be prohibited. Alaskans may obtain a concealed carry permit if they want reciprocity with other states.
I love the whole "school yards" part of it...I never hang around or carry in school yards....
With a wrinkle. To carry in a bar you need the owner's permission. Otherwise, we're not too bad. Off limits:
1. Nuclear power facilities;
2. Polling locations;
3. Courthouse;
4. Jail/Prison;
5. Place of worship;
6. State mental health facility
7. Government buildings
Vertical453
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Casinos are REQUIRED by law to post a sign saying no guns are allowed at the entrance. That is why it differs from other private businesses and I thought it was worth mention because of that. With that said, there is no punishment prescribed to this crime, but it is mentioned in the law.
So basically if I'm reading this correctly. If there is a sign saying no weapons in one of the areas addressed by this statute (and there will be), disobeying it makes it a first degree misdemeanor, not just a summary trespass charge.
There is definitely grey area on these laws, especially the casino one, but I thought they were worth mentioning because if an LEO is having a bad day, he can put you in a world of hurt for carrying in one of these places.
While most of Alaska may be different, in many urban and suburban neighborhoods in the US some of the primary "parks" available to families and children after school hours are the empty fields on school grounds.
This is especially true for elementary and some middle schools, while high schools tend to have their fields more in constant use by the school itself even after hours.
While actual designated parks can be far apart, there is often open grass fields and/or some playground equipment in 'school yards' that is one of the only such public places freely available within a neighborhood.
Where local children, families, a couple, or even just someone walking their dog can go to get some exercise outdoors without any planning or travel and a short distance from home.
I used to stop at one when taking a walk to do some pull-ups on the pull-up bars when I passed by. The cool outdoor air in the park sure beats any gym, and it had no membership fees.
So a prohibition in a school yard is certainly an inconvenience. It basically means most "parks" in urban and suburban neighborhoods are prohibited.
The 100 pound mother taking her kids to play on the slide or jungle gym is prohibited from effectively protecting herself or her children from any predator or punks that come along.
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henschman
Member
Yes, unfortunately laws like this force people to decide whether they love their lives and the lives of their familiies more than they fear the state.
KBintheSLC
Member
It's hard to beat AK, VT, and AZ since none of them require you to have a license to exercise your rights. I lived in UT for 30 years and it is pretty darn good, but you still have no "constitutional carry" law in place. There may be one coming though.
rattletrap1970
Member
Connecticut isn't horrible.
We can carry concealed or not.
No courts
No schools
No Govt buildings
You can carry in a bar, standard BAC applies.
No requirement to tell officers if you are carrying.
I've never seen a no guns sign, I would carry anyway but concealed.
The only sucky thing is we have an AWB.
No 3 letters of recommendation for pistol permits (at least there isn't supposed to be)
Shall issue state, not may issue.
We can carry concealed or not.
No courts
No schools
No Govt buildings
You can carry in a bar, standard BAC applies.
No requirement to tell officers if you are carrying.
I've never seen a no guns sign, I would carry anyway but concealed.
The only sucky thing is we have an AWB.
No 3 letters of recommendation for pistol permits (at least there isn't supposed to be)
Shall issue state, not may issue.
2WheelsGood
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Michigan:
Schools or school property but may carry while in a vehicle on school property while dropping off or picking up if a parent or legal guardian
Public or private day care center, public or private child caring agency, or public or private child placing agency.
Sports arena or stadium
A tavern where the primary source of income is the sale of alcoholic liquor by the glass consumed on the premises
Any property or facility owned or operated by a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other place of worship, unless the presiding official allows concealed weapons
An entertainment facility that the individual knows or should know has a seating capacity of 2,500 or more
A hospital
A dormitory or classroom of a community college, college, or university
A Casino
"Premises" does not include the parking areas of the places listed above.
Schools or school property but may carry while in a vehicle on school property while dropping off or picking up if a parent or legal guardian
Public or private day care center, public or private child caring agency, or public or private child placing agency.
Sports arena or stadium
A tavern where the primary source of income is the sale of alcoholic liquor by the glass consumed on the premises
Any property or facility owned or operated by a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other place of worship, unless the presiding official allows concealed weapons
An entertainment facility that the individual knows or should know has a seating capacity of 2,500 or more
A hospital
A dormitory or classroom of a community college, college, or university
A Casino
"Premises" does not include the parking areas of the places listed above.
geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
Although not codified this way, PA has 4 classes of areas, presuming you have an LTCF:
1) OK to carry anywhere by default, unless
2) Areas Prohibited by state law:
-Courthouses (and they *must* provide you with the means to check your gun)
-K-12 schools, but note the untested-in-court "lawful purposes" defense built directly into the law, which was probably designed to work with the state constitution's explicit enumeration of personal defense as a lawful purpose.
3) Areas Prohibited by Federal law:
-Federal buildings
-Secure areas of airports.
4) Areas pseudo-prohibited:
Pseudo-prohibitions are areas marked as off limits by signage. Ignoring the signs isn't immediately a criminal offense, but does create the possibility of being discovered and asked to leave, which opens the further possibility of being charged with trespass if you refuse.
The authority to post such signage is often suspect. Sometimes, it's posted on private property, which is the most defensible case.
Often, it's posted by a state/county/local governmental agency, which, in light of the state's strong pre-emption laws, has no authority to do so.
For example, some county parks have a "no guns" clause buried in their park rules fine print, and a policy that you will be asked to leave if detected. These cases likely would not survive a court challenge.
Similarly, there are certain areas, such as certain sections of Penn's Landing in PHL which are posted. These areas are public property, whose operations are administered by a private company. As public lands, there is little doubt as to the lawfulness of carry with a permit, and very little authority for the private administrative company to post the sign. It would be very perverse for a court to uphold a private company's authority to ask you to leave a public space for exercising your right of arms, which can't be questioned in PA.
1) OK to carry anywhere by default, unless
2) Areas Prohibited by state law:
-Courthouses (and they *must* provide you with the means to check your gun)
-K-12 schools, but note the untested-in-court "lawful purposes" defense built directly into the law, which was probably designed to work with the state constitution's explicit enumeration of personal defense as a lawful purpose.
3) Areas Prohibited by Federal law:
-Federal buildings
-Secure areas of airports.
4) Areas pseudo-prohibited:
Pseudo-prohibitions are areas marked as off limits by signage. Ignoring the signs isn't immediately a criminal offense, but does create the possibility of being discovered and asked to leave, which opens the further possibility of being charged with trespass if you refuse.
The authority to post such signage is often suspect. Sometimes, it's posted on private property, which is the most defensible case.
Often, it's posted by a state/county/local governmental agency, which, in light of the state's strong pre-emption laws, has no authority to do so.
For example, some county parks have a "no guns" clause buried in their park rules fine print, and a policy that you will be asked to leave if detected. These cases likely would not survive a court challenge.
Similarly, there are certain areas, such as certain sections of Penn's Landing in PHL which are posted. These areas are public property, whose operations are administered by a private company. As public lands, there is little doubt as to the lawfulness of carry with a permit, and very little authority for the private administrative company to post the sign. It would be very perverse for a court to uphold a private company's authority to ask you to leave a public space for exercising your right of arms, which can't be questioned in PA.
LemmyCaution
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Vermont:
Schools K-12
Federal buildings
Court houses
State parks
Schools K-12
Federal buildings
Court houses
State parks
Utah is my guess (perhaps other states have substantially similar laws, the only restrictions I am aware of for that state are the Federal ones, secured facilities such as a prison, court house, or mental institution, and some churches (the ones that opt to make themselves off limits).
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