Wife's Driving Vacation--Need help

[dleiwig]

My wife has been through the CHL class but has not received her plastic yet. Don't worry--we're both AD military and have shot Berretta M9s numerous times (just don't ask her who has more marksmanship ribbons on our uniforms--I can't take the answer again!!)--she can shoot...well! My question in on the Castle Doctrine that allows us to have an armed weapon in a vehicle on a road trip. What are the geographical limits to this? They are breaking in 2 new Camaros in with a couple of girlfriends with a road trip from San Antonio to Siesta Key in Florida. It would make me feel safer for her to take her future carry piece with her, especially since there would be daughters traveling too. She would have to drive through Texas (no prob), Louisiana (?), Mississippi (?), Alabama (?), and then into Florida (?). Is this a national law (not counting Illinois out I guess), or do we need to consider repricicity? Does anyone know of a site that could lay this out to me? Thanks so much in advance...I always learn so much on this forum...you guys--and gals--ROCK!

[JJVP]

Since she does not have a CHL reciprocity does not apply. Check http://handgunlaw.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for laws for each state she will be traveling through.

[longtooth]

Above is correct. Texas Motor Vehicle Protection Act stops at the border.
My experience w/ Louisiana stopping Texas residents is a mixed bag of officer discretion.

She will be subject to each state laws w/o reciprocity.

handgunlaw.us is a good resource.

[Jumping Frog]

Another good source is http://nra-ila.org/gunlaws" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jmra]

In La your vehicle is considered an extenstion of your home so no problem there. Can't speak to the other states.

[jmra]

Another good source is http://nra-ila.org/gunlaws" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You're good in MS - from the site above
It shall not be a violation for any person over 18 to carry a concealed firearm within his home, place of business, or real property associated with his home or place of business, or within his motor vehicle.

Looks like AL could be a problem
No person shall carry a pistol in any vehicle or concealed on or about his person, except on his land, in his own home or fixed place of business, without a license. Exempt from this prohibition are law enforcement officers, common carriers, and persons carrying unloaded handguns in a secure wrapper from a place of purchase to one's home or business, or to or from a place of repair, or in moving from one home or business to another.

FL
It is lawful to possess a concealed firearm for self-defense or other lawful purposes within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, if the firearm is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use.

[txhighlander]

There is ATF regulation that allows transportation across state lines, the weapon must be unloaded and locked up with the ammo lock up in a separate place. That should get you thru Al . Depending on where she would be leaving from and entering into Al if on I-10 its only a little over 60 miles across Al. While they are certain states that don't recognize ATF with this I don't think Al is one of them. Check with ATF to verify this. I think it is on their site, just don't have time to look it up this morning. Hope this helps.

[Jumping Frog]

Take a shotgun in lieu of the pistol. Laaws are much less rigid.

That completely depends on the individual state's laws. Some states, for example, allow loaded handguns but a loaded long gun is a felony.

That is why it is vital to check each individual state using the links provided above.