VA to FL CCW in car

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RicVa

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I'm taking the family to Disney in March. Trying to find info about carrying, particularly in the car, through SC and GA. I know that NC and FL have reciprocity with VA (I'm a VA permit holder).

Looked for some info on the web like on usacarry.com, but didn't readily find what I needed. Anyone know about travelling south on I-95 from VA to FL?

Thanks!
 
NC and FL honor your VA permit.SC and GA do not .
However you can carry a loaded firearm in GA(in plain view or concealed in glove box)and SC(closed glove compartment).
 
From what I read SC is the tough one. Gun must be unloaded, locked in trunk away from ammo. Not quite sure on NC.

I did a FL - VA trip 1st week in January, and it was tough to decipher the different state laws wrt carry across states. I do not have a FL carry permit yet. So my gun was really just extra ballast in the trunk on the trip, but at least I had it with me (small comfort)
 
From what I read SC is the tough one. Gun must be unloaded, locked in trunk away from ammo. Not quite sure on NC.
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This is incorrect.
Loaded handguns may be carried in a closed glove compartment in SC.
See:
http://www.handgunlaw.us

Also Travelers Guide to the Firearm Laws of the 50 States,J.Scott Kappas,Esq. 2007 Edition.

NC honors the OP'S permit.
 
but the wording of GA sure is a little more tricky,
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Nothing to worry about in Georgia INSIDE your vehicle.
It's the archaic "Public Gathering"Statute and other anomaly's while carrying on foot that make Georgia one of the most difficult state's to CC in.
Georgia gunowners are working hard to make GA a more friendly CC environment.
 
I do not have a FL carry permit yet. So my gun was really just extra ballast in the trunk on the trip, but at least I had it with me (small comfort)
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I don't want your gun to be extra ballast or you to be a victim.So the next time you travel down(or up)I-95 these are the rules from Houlton,Maine to Miami,Florida WITHOUT a Concealed Carry Permit from any state.

Maine:Firearms must be unloaded and may be carried in plain view while in passenger compartment.Also may be contained in case.

New Hampshire:Handguns must be unloaded and may be carried openly or contained in gun cases in passenger compartment.Rifles and shotguns must be unloaded.


Massachusetts:In trunk,USAC Title 18,Section 926A applies.

Rhode Island:Weapon unloaded,secured in a case and separated from ammo.
USAC Title 18 trunk carry advised.

Connecticutt:USAC Title 18 trunk carry.

New York:Handguns in trunk as per USAC 18.Rifles and shotguns OK unloaded in passenger compartment.

New Jersey:In trunk,per USAC 18

Pennsylvania:USAC 18,ammo separate.

Deleware:Loaded handgun may be carried openly,or if hidden from view in trunk.Rifles and shotguns unloaded in gun rack or commercial case.

Maryland:In trunk,USAC 18.

Virginia:Loaded firearms may be carried in the passenger compartment in plain view or secured in gun cases that are unconcealed.

North Carolina:Loaded firearms may be secured in holsters or slings or carried openly in the passenger compartment.

South Carolina:Loaded handguns may be carried in closed glove compartment.Rifles and shotguns may be loaded in the passenger compartment,UNLESS in State Park,Rec Area or certain Wildlife areas during hunting season.

Georgia:Loaded handguns may be carried in plain view or secured from view in glove compartment.Loaded rifles and shotguns may be carried in plain view.

Florida:Firearms may be concealed and loaded while in private vehicle as long as they are securely encased or otherwise not readily accessible.(snapped holster,glove compartment,console,zippered purse,closed box or container.)

I hope this helps all East Coast travelers with or without a CCW.


http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/926A.html
 
In NC, if you are stopped by law enforcement, you are supposed to inform them that you have a permit and that you do have the gun with you. Maybe, you should keep both habds on the wheel until after you "tell" them.
 
I live in Florida. My state has full reciprocity with the State of Georgia and I have never encountered a problem while visiting or passing thru the state. We used to take vacations up in North Carolina and for many years they didn't have ccw or reciprocity. Now they do but some of the carry restrictions are bizarre. Like you can't carry in a movie theatre. Well, what happens if I'm going to or from my car and get robbed? It's the parking lots about which the state should be worried, not the venues of commerce!

We have now done two roundtrip road trips to Texas and I carried all the way, to and from. Each time was to pick up a Newfoundland puppy from our breeder. I never felt safer in my life. I was armed 24/7 the entire time. There were a couple of hair raising moments of being lost and in the wrong part of town in both San Antone and Dallas. No worries.
 
In NC, if you are stopped by law enforcement, you are supposed to inform them that you have a permit and that you do have the gun with you. Maybe, you should keep both habds on the wheel until after you "tell" them.
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The silly thing about NC is if you have a firearm in your car and don't have a permit you don't have to tell the LEO a thing.
But the weapon is suppose to be in plain view without a CCW.This means the officer will always notice it of course!
 
Winchester 73, are you sure about MA? I was under the impression you can not even have a handgun in your trunk, locked with no ammo. I read they are the most restrictive state in the country to travel through.
 
Winchester73
I don't want your gun to be extra ballast or you to be a victim.So the next time you travel down(or up)I-95 these are the rules from Houlton,Maine to Miami,Florida WITHOUT a Concealed Carry Permit from any state
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the enlightenment. Very informative and concise. It just goes to show how I misread whatever document I was researching before my trip. Next time it will be in my lap - loaded and ready!!!!!! :D
 
WINCHESTER, what about driving through NYC?
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Nobody in his right mind drives through New York City. Even Mayor Bloomberg takes public transportation. And he doesn't like living in New York City either: that's why he's thinking of running for President. He's too smart to want to live in a city that has him as its mayor.
 
WINCHESTER, what about driving through NYC?
Winchester 73, are you sure about MA? I was under the impression you can not even have a handgun in your trunk, locked with no ammo. I read they are the most restrictive state in the country to travel through.
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USAC 18 Chapter 44 Section 926A will still apply for even these dreaded areas.Read the opening lines very carefully.These rules apply for the through journey traveler.A resident of MA or NJ,etc traveling in state ,would come under their own state rules.
Of course Mr.Hairless is correct about NYC.Don't do it if you don't have to!
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/926A.html
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Why wouldn't you just carry your gun in a holster while traveling?
I plan on heading to FLA in April from KY. I intend to be carrying concealed the whole way even while driving.

Any reasons not to?
 
My understanding that all the states I am traveling through recognize my CDW permit. That should provide for carrying concealed as I pass through each state.
 
Don't know if it will help but read up on the Firearms Owner Protection Act and maybe print out a copy. Myself to be safe any firearms locked in hardcase and locked in trunk,what the cops can't see won't hurt you. Yes I know it sucks but there are times when discretion is always best
 
My understanding that all the states I am traveling through recognize my CDW permit. That should provide for carrying concealed as I pass through each state.
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You are correct.Your KY permit is honored in TN,NC,AL,GA and in FL(if you are a KY resident in FL case)
See this excellent interactive map for all state reciprocity.Click on PERMIT MAPS

http://www.usacarry.com
 
Great input Winchester 73, I live in NJ, and have Fl,NH, and Maine CCW but still wonder if USAC Title 18, Section 926A covers me getting out of NJ enroute to
FL where I can carry even though I have Handgun in trunk locked in seperate box and ammuntion in another box locked. My confusion is from the USAC statement, shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm." I know in NJ I may
possess, and can only travel to and from a range or gunsmith directly. Does
that mean I can not travel out of state???
 
Great input Winchester 73, I live in NJ, and have Fl,NH, and Maine CCW but still wonder if USAC Title 18, Section 926A covers me getting out of NJ enroute to
FL where I can carry even though I have Handgun in trunk locked in seperate box and ammuntion in another box locked. My confusion is from the USAC statement, shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm." I know in NJ I may
possess, and can only travel to and from a range or gunsmith directly. Does
that mean I can not travel out of state???
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Great question,kkebs.Just seeing your post now at this late hour.
USAC 18,926A does not technically cover you as no 'through journey 'is being made from one area to another where handgun carry in a vehicle is legal such as your Florida destination.
As you know, even a NJ resident must have a purhaser ID card(or carry permit which is impossible) to carry in state in a vehicle.And this ID only allows firearms carry if a person is traveling directly to a hunting engagement,firearms exhibition,repair facility or target range.
But other than this transport within the state is prohibited.
So in a sense you are trapped within the Draconian confines of NJ!
However,imagination comes into play and you only need to cross the Delaware River and PA or Delaware to be in freedom with USAC 18 and more generous state laws covering you all the way to Florida with your 3 CHP's.
I would do this escape this way:Drive to Cape May and take the Cape May-Lewes Deleware River Ferry to Lewes.From this point you are home free.I have taken this ferry with firearms a dozen times after leaving my sister's home in Toms River, and no checks of any kind are ever made.They are just too busy there with the large load of trafffic.No police are ever seen.Also the ferry has great food and bars that turn out the best Manhattans in North America!A added bonus for the 95 minute crossing.
Just to be on the safe side, know the name and address of a repair facility in Cape May just in case you are stopped by the NJHP before getting in line at the Ferry Terminal.
For more simplicity you could just take I-295 and cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge and freedom.Have the same plan in mind for gun repairs going this route.
I know this sounds melo-dramatic but being from the Garden State originally, and still having family ties ,and going back quite often ,I realize what you are going through.
If other THR members have better ideas(and I'm not thinking in terms of mailing your firearm but driving it out)I'm sure they will chip in.
If stopped for any reason in NJ and your firearm is discovered, you must have a proper excuse.Repairs,target range,etc.Of course this is highly unlikely.And you could always use the 4th Amendment if Jersey still recognizes it!
Now of course after your escape,you will have to return from FL and again USAC 18 will not cover your ending travel in NJ so the cover story must again be in place.
Good luck and I think others may come up with alternate ideas while I doze off for Monday morning.
 
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