How Many Of You Go Unarmed Out Of State?

[Abraham]

I've considered taking my pistol with me when flying outside Texas, but after reading about the various hurdles one must leap in order to do so, I've always chosen to go unarmed. For me, that's too much bureaucratic bother, so I go empty handed.

Also, I go unarmed when driving out of state. Each state has so many different laws regarding their CHL holders than Texas, I just don't want to risk it.

Sure, I could bone up on each different state's CHL laws, but that aint happening.

Am I alone in this approach?

I wish we had UNIFORM laws regarding CHL's.

[M9FAN]

If flying, I typically go without a gun. If driving, though, I'll review the laws in each of the states I'm planning to pass through and then make my decision. I agree with you, (although I don't see it happening anytime soon), that it would be nice if all states were to standardize their CHL requirements, rules, etc...

[Rex B]

Flying - depends on who I'm flying with. If my wife, I'd take it. Business I'm usually with someone that doesn't know I carry, so I don't. The whole bag check thing would be hard to do privately.
Driving - get the current book on all the states laws. Review each state before you get there. An index card with the one or two important differences for each state is very handy. Get a trunk lockbox for those states that aren't friendly.

[bpet]

Ditto on flying being a burden that causes us to seriously consider the "need" to be armed. I am guilty of conceding to the hassle and not bothering but not lately. I just quit flying.

When driving, I do carry and I do bone up on the laws of states to be visited. There are just too many chances to end up in "the wrong" part of town if you are not familiar with your destination or stops in between.

B

[ELB]

Like most challenges, I found the challenge of taking a gun via flying or car to be more in my head than reality. Due to the enlightenment that occurred in state legislatures over the past, I dunno, 10 or 15 years I guess, nearly all the states I want to travel through or to have CCW laws and reciprocal agreements, so really the only excuse not to carry is my own perception of "bother." And it really isn't much bother to me. If fact, I think I am probably more at risk in other states, simply because I am traveling, don't know my surroundings that well, may look like a traveler, etc.

It ain't that hard.

elb

[Rex B]

I think I am probably more at risk in other states, simply because I am traveling, don't know my surroundings that well, may look like a traveler, etc.

Remember a few years ago the rental car companies in Florida quit putting their logos on their rent cars. Seems the local BGs thought those marked rent-a-rides easy prey since they were tourists, likely carrying valuables and money for the trip, and probably unarmed.

[jimlongley]

For the better part of 2006 I travelled, and rarely without my gun.

I did have the advantage of three years of TSA employment and knowledge of their rules plus the excellent resources offered here and at Packing.ORG

[dukalmighty]

I traveled to canada in feb from south tx and planned my route so i would pass through only states that reciprocate with tx,I carry 24/7 whether at home or on the road traveling I can't tell when somebody may target me,and an out of state tag means tourist,even rental cars have tags from states all over.If i'm going to bespending time in a state i will research their chl laws ,if i'm passing thru I should be legal everywhere i stop as far as refueling and eating.

[The Annoyed Man]

For the better part of 2006 I travelled, and rarely without my gun.

I did have the advantage of three years of TSA employment and knowledge of their rules plus the excellent resources offered here and at Packing.ORG

Apparently, Packing.org is no longer a going concern. However, USACarry.com has a map maker that shows which states recognized your state's carry permit. You can export the map as a JPEG, which I did, and it is displayed below.

As you can see from the legend, only the states colored in red or black do not recognized the Texas permit. All others do.

[frankie_the_yankee]

I travel armed whenever I can. That's most of the time. It's not hard to be aware of the relevant rules. TX has reciprocity with many other states. So in most places you can carry on your TX CHL. The few places where you can't are mostly the "may issue" states. And there's a couple of exceptions of course. Up to date info can be found on the TX DPS website.

[hirundo82]

Whenever I travel somewhere that my Texas CHL is honored, I take a pistol. Flying with guns really isn't that big of a hassle. There is even less of an excuse when driving.

[tomc]

I've considered taking my pistol with me when flying outside Texas, but after reading about the various hurdles one must leap in order to do so, I've always chosen to go unarmed. For me, that's too much bureaucratic bother, so I go empty handed.

Also, I go unarmed when driving out of state. Each state has so many different laws regarding their CHL holders than Texas, I just don't want to risk it.

Sure, I could bone up on each different state's CHL laws, but that aint happening.

Am I alone in this approach?

I wish we had UNIFORM laws regarding CHL's.

Yea, flying is a real hassle, and keeping up with every states different laws is a big problem, and it would be much better if the laws were more uniform.
But, if you are traveling, and somehow you get in a situation where you really need to defend yourself or your family, are you going to be happy with the consolation that it was just too much of a hassle and I'll probably be OK?

[locknload]

We haven't travelled since receiving our CHL's this year. However, we often rent an airplane to fly ourselves, so that wouldn't be a problem. Private citizens seldom get ramp checks, unless they do something stupid in the air. I'll carry, while driving, if we go that way next time, as our destination and all states in between reciprocate. So, that will make it easy. Going to FL to watch a launch might be another thing, though. Have to think about that one.

[MBGuy]

Well, the flying isn't really that much of a hassle. I've taken my Sig to New Orleans and now Louisville, Ky. No problems with both. I just brushed up a little bit on both states, namely carrying in restaurants that happen to have alcohol (my step-daughter we visit loves Outback) and ammo allowed (I have to leave the hollow point at home when i go to Louisiana). Then I printed out the TSA guidelines, and the airlines outline........done. No big deal. Inconsistent procedures, yes, but a hassle? No.

My wife started to give me a hard time, but this last time I asked her "So how much time did visiting the TSA waste, about 3 minutes?". She grudgingly agreed......so I guess I'll be bringing it with me from now on without her guilt-trip looks

As far as travelling over asphalt, google.com is your friend. It's not hard to find out quick where you can carry, and at worst, where you have to put it in a locked box in the trunk. Thank goodness I don't have relatives in Wisconsin, Illinois, or California. If I did, I wouldn't claim them

I say do the research, it really doesn't take long. It's worth it. In New Orleans there was two occasions where I had to keep my eyes on someone's activities/postures/actions, and I was glad I was carrying. Kentucky, not so bad, but I'm still glad not to feel like a sitting duck since my son-in-law doesn't believe crime can happen to him, so he doesn't have any firearms in the house. I'd work on him, but I fear I'm already labeled the paranoid, gun carrying, member of the family.