Leaving town - license in the mail

[kingsbrew]

I am leaving town today for Arkansas. My license is in "mailed" status. I will be leaving before my mail arrives today. I am taking my weapon but will NOT carry outside of the car unless to take it into the hotel room.

My question is what to do if for some reason an officer stops me. I know you are supposed to show them your CHL but I won't have it? Am I supposed to tell them I am a licensed CHL but it has not arrived yet?

[Keith B]

Arkansas does not have vehicle carry, so you are only protected under their law of 'being on a journey', which is not really defined. If you have it with you in the vehicle AFTER you arrive, I would make sure it is not in the passenger compartment (trunk or back of SUV) and unloaded and separate the ammo. Here is the reference page from http://www.handgunlaw.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for Arkansas

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/arkansas.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldgringo]

1. Don't do anything that could get you stopped.
2. Tell the truth if stopped.
3. Look here for Arkansas gun laws.

Good luck and drive safely.

[RoyGBiv]

If I was stopped in TX, I would definitely mention it. The LEO will see it in their database anyways, may as well get ahead of the question and allay suspicion.

If I was traveling with a weapon in AR, I'd be careful about following AR law....
http://www.asp.state.ar.us/divisions/rs/pdf/chl_faq.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kingsbrew]

Thanks for your responses. I saw this in the Arkansas law and thought that it would cover carrying it in the vehicle. This is exactly my situation. I am not one to engage in a fight. I have walked away from many possible conflicts. I like a good argument but haven't found much worth fighting over, except when I was mad at my brother when we were younger.

"It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that at the time of the act of carrying a weapon:

The person is carrying a weapon when upon a journey, unless the journey is through a commercial airport when presenting at the security checkpoint in the airport or is in the person's checked baggage and is not a lawfully declared weapon; (a journey is defined as traveling beyond your circle of neighbors and general acquaintances our outside a person’s normal travel routine)"

[speedsix]

...I went to Ft. Smith for a training in pre-permit days and the State Police told me OK to have it loaded in the car till I got to my hotel room...then it went to the trunk or hotel room...when I started home, OK loaded again...sounds like it hasn't changed...long guns are OK in the front of the car except that they should be unloaded during hunting season...

[Keith B]

And, be aware that even with a permit you must inform a private homeowner that you are carrying before entering their home with a firearm in Arkansas.