Ahhhh, Making Plans for Summer Vacation...

[thatguyoverthere]

Looking so forward to the trip. Wife and I will be taking a riding vacation in a few weeks. Eureka Springs, AR, Branson, MO, Nashville, TN, etc. Of course, being on the back roads on a bike, I want to carry my firearm.

But making plans to carry from state to state is always so frustrating. I always have to put sooo much research into being able to carry my gun because each state's laws and requirements are so different.

Just a few examples: some prohibition signs must be very specific in some states, but in others, any sign of any wording and any size will do; gunbuster signs are invalid here, but are perfectly valid in some states; signs have force of law some places, but not other places; penalties for carrying past a sign range from nothing, to a $35 fine, to a felony charge; open carry allowed in this state but not that state (and some states are not even sure about it themselves, i.e. AR); carry laws are sometimes different if you're in a vehicle (and vehicle may or may not include a motorcycle, depending on the state); some states preempt local jurisdictions for gun laws, whereas some states allow local jurisdictions to create their own (stricter) laws; some states require you to notify on encounter with a LEO, some do not; some states allow carry in state and national parks, but some do not. And that's not even counting the states that just flat out don't even recognize my Texas CHL as valid in their state at all.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. It's just so frustrating to have to account for all the differences from one jurisdiction to another, especially considering that we have a specified right called out in the highest legal document in the nation that says our ability to keep & bear arms shall not be infringed. All those different requirements and prohibitions sound pretty "infringed" to me! When I get to this point, I just always wonder how the heck we got from the simple statement that our Founders made, to this horrible, messy tangle of laws that we have today. (Well, actually, I think I know how. But that's a different rant for a different time!)

Well anyway, thanks for the break and the shoulder to cry on, guys. Now back to my research...

[thenick_ttu]

Could you go ahead and post all of your research here once you're done? I kid, I kid.

The family and I are taking a driving vacation this summer to visit friends in Indiana. We'll be taking a similar path as you... definitely spending a day in Branson, through Arkansas, Tennessee, etc. I'll be doing some research of my own very soon.

[roadkill]

There's an app called Legal Heat and it is pretty good at explaining the law enough to get you by. It lacks definitions such as when looking at TX it doesn't tell you what premises is but you do have the appropriate codes to do further research which is why I say it's enough to get you by and a great starting place in doing research for the states you will be in.

[Pawpaw]

Don''t forget http://www.handgunlaw.us

[jerry_r60]

Don''t forget http://www.handgunlaw.us

The link posted by Pawpaw is a great resource. I did a drive out to Florida and made a little spreadsheet for each state with a few key pieces of info like what signs needed to be obeyed and if I had to show my CHL if stopped. I kept this where I could grab it if stopped to check or as I crossed a state line to remind myself.

[ScottDLS]

Don't forget to unload and lock your gun in the trunk separate from the ammo as you pass within 1000' any schools outside of Texas....

Had to work that into the topic.

[thatguyoverthere]

Thanks for the tips and links, guys. Yes, I use all of those. Handgunlaw.us is probably the most detailed and the one I use the most. NRA website also has some limited state information. Wikipedia also has a pretty detailed chart showing the major rules & requirements for each state; it's actually pretty good.

Just frustrates me that we have to go through this at all. Can you imagine what it would be like if we had a similar situation with our traffic laws when we travelled from state to state???

Don't forget to unload and lock your gun in the trunk separate from the ammo as you pass within 1000' any schools outside of Texas.... <br abp="692"><br abp="693">Had to work that into the topic.

Scott, GFSZA is another one of my pet peeves!

[SewTexas]

there's an app for that ;)
it's called ccw, it's great! Of course you still need to do the research, but the app really is good for the quick look up when you're in the state and have a specific question.

[Scott in Houston]

Why are you carrying a gun? That's dangerous!!!! Just call the police.

I think it's very sad that we have to go through this exercise with our guns and traveling. We don't with our cars, and driving is not a RIGHT, but the 2A is protecting what is a RIGHT, yet it isn't equally governed… ugh.

/rant