Going on a trip - anything to be aware of?

[el_chupo_]

Planning an out of state trip soon, going to be visiting AR, TN, SC, NC, VA, GA, MS, AL, LA, and back home.

All of these offer reciprocity with TX, but are there any obvious things I should be cautious of that vary from TX regulations on where to carry?

Having a hard time doing research on all the states, and dont want to cause any problems with the locals

[brhalltx]

You should probably get the "50 States Gun Laws" books, or do some reading on the multi-state CHL web sites.

[Keith B]

http://www.handgunlaw.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is a good site.

[oohrah]

If you have a smart phone, look for the app "Legal Heat".

[chasfm11]

http://www.handgunlaw.us is a good site.

This.

And here is my $.02 worth based on a trip through some of those same States recently.

1. No one can remember all the State specific stuff regarding concealed handguns if you are driving quickly. We did 950 miles in one day and went through 5 States, one of them VERY UNFRIENDLY. My approach was to try to hit the most likely points and make cheat sheets from the Handgun website.

2. The most likely thing that you might need to know is whether you must volunteer information about a concealed handgun to an LEO. AR is like TX where you must while in TN you don't have to volunteer it. I tried to remind myself about that each time we crossed a State border.

3. If you are traveling and not stopping much, the next most important thing is the use of deadly force and whether you have to retreat first on not. I've had panhandlers in my face two different places in Knoxville when I stopped for gas and before I ever opened the car door. I was "interviewed" at a truck stop in MS while pumping fuel and was able to extract myself before anything went down. I'm still convinced that it was the beginning of an armed robbery. All 3 came from nowhere in less than 15 seconds. There isn't time to try to remember which State your in and what is necessary if you decide to draw your gun.

4. I wrote some notes about exceptional situations where I couldn't carry. Some States allow you in places that serve alcohol and others don't, for example. Nearly always when we are traveling, we stick to fast food joints because that eliminates any problems. It would be in a break down situation where you might end up going into a building that you didn't plan to visit otherwise so it is good to have some crib notes about which States specifically have unique building restrictions and whether or not a "gun buster" type sign has the force of law. I'm always going to error on the side of caution if I don't have good notes about that State. I keep my cheat sheets in a travel bag right beside the driver's seat with things like my tactical flashlight. It is easy to pull the sheets out and do a quick refresher before exiting the vehicle.

[Oldgringo]

"gunbuster" signs have weight in many states. Look here: http://www.handgunlaw.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[filmtex]

http://www.handgunlaw.us is a good site.

This.

And here is my $.02 worth based on a trip through some of those same States recently.

1. No one can remember all the State specific stuff regarding concealed handguns if you are driving quickly. We did 950 miles in one day and went through 5 States, one of them VERY UNFRIENDLY. My approach was to try to hit the most likely points and make cheat sheets from the Handgun website.

2. The most likely thing that you might need to know is whether you must volunteer information about a concealed handgun to an LEO. AR is like TX where you must while in TN you don't have to volunteer it. I tried to remind myself about that each time we crossed a State border.

3. If you are traveling and not stopping much, the next most important thing is the use of deadly force and whether you have to retreat first on not. I've had panhandlers in my face two different places in Knoxville when I stopped for gas and before I ever opened the car door. I was "interviewed" at a truck stop in MS while pumping fuel and was able to extract myself before anything went down. I'm still convinced that it was the beginning of an armed robbery. All 3 came from nowhere in less than 15 seconds. There isn't time to try to remember which State your in and what is necessary if you decide to draw your gun.

4. I wrote some notes about exceptional situations where I couldn't carry. Some States allow you in places that serve alcohol and others don't, for example. Nearly always when we are traveling, we stick to fast food joints because that eliminates any problems. It would be in a break down situation where you might end up going into a building that you didn't plan to visit otherwise so it is good to have some crib notes about which States specifically have unique building restrictions and whether or not a "gun buster" type sign has the force of law. I'm always going to error on the side of caution if I don't have good notes about that State. I keep my cheat sheets in a travel bag right beside the driver's seat with things like my tactical flashlight. It is easy to pull the sheets out and do a quick refresher before exiting the vehicle.

That looks like a great system. I travel back and forth across the country quite often and have been trying to figure out a way to keep track. Thanks for the great post. Happy trails.

[RoyGBiv]

"gunbuster" signs have weight in many states. Look here: http://www.handgunlaw.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good point to be careful about....

And...

Some states do not allow CC into restaurants that serve alcohol.... NC is one such state, not sure about the others...
Some states require you to inform a LEO "on contact", some do not.

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

Carry in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
NO §14-269.3
...............
Disclose the fact that you have a valid concealed handgun permit when you are approached or
addressed by any law enforcement officer in North Carolina.

Handgunlaw.us is your friend. Suggest you download and print a copy of each states PDF from that site to take with you for reference.

[el_chupo_]

Thanks peeps, very helpful info and suggestions.

We intend to only be traveling through most states, but we will be spending time in a couple. Things also get a little hairy as there will be 4 of us, 2 with CHL, 2 without, and we also have to be cognizant of storage and accessibility laws - especially if I disarm, then exit the vehicle to go inside a store or gas station or something. Also have to remember that a "truck gun" may not be appropriate in all situations.

Great idea on the "cheat sheets", I think I will do the same.

[kjbolling2002]

Wish I had seen this two months ago. My advice is too understand the law of the states you are visiting and only carry if you are really comfortable and understand the law of that state. Also watch out for young inexperienced officers looking to make their name in the force and climb the ladder.

Here is my experience:
Took a 1 month trip to visit family, work and vacation from TX to MN, WI, MI and then back. While in MN, I was heading back to my in-laws after visiting our corporate office when I was pulled over while in Minneapolis traffic. I was pulled over because I had TX plates. Officer claimed he pulled me over due to my registration stickers being obscured on my plates by a Texas Rangers plate holder. When I corrected him and said they were not obstructed because the registration stickers are placed on the windshield in TX, he seemed a bit put off that I called him on his ignorance. So he decided I needed to prove registration with receipts showing when I registered the vehicle which I produced. As he was asking the questions and I was getting my paperwork out, I decided I would not present my CHL to him as I would normally do in TX. I had not fully read the state laws for MN yet so I was not carrying on my body or in my vehicle. I could tell by his questioning that he was looking for something else. Had I presented it, a whole other line of questioning would have begun and he would have detained me longer to search my vehicle and who knows what else.
After I answered all his questions, he was still not satisfied so he then took my license and paperwork to his car. When he came back he said everything checked out. He proceeded to tell me that I needed to drive carefully. Like I was not driving carefully to begin with sitting in 25 mph rush our traffic. It is my belief that the officer suspected I was transporting something illegal like drugs because I had TX plates and Texas borders Mexico.

So if you were in my position, would you present your license? MN law does not require it like TX.

[RoyGBiv]

I was not carrying on my body or in my vehicle.

So if you were in my position, would you present your license?

If not carrying, why would I even consider it? Of course not.
Welcome aboard

[Keith B]

It is my belief that the officer suspected I was transporting something illegal like drugs because I had TX plates and Texas borders Mexico.

So if you were in my position, would you present your license? MN law does not require it like TX.

Maybe we need to stop all MN vehicles, because MN borders Canada and they may be transporting maple syrup.

As for presenting my license, I will follow state laws on that one when out of state. This is due to the fact they will not be able to tell I have a CHL when they run my license, so if not required by law then I will not present it. Now, in Texas, I will present my CHL when asked for my license, no matter what my carry status is. This is because in Texas the DL check WILL show my CHL.

[chasfm11]

It is my belief that the officer suspected I was transporting something illegal like drugs because I had TX plates and Texas borders Mexico.

So if you were in my position, would you present your license? MN law does not require it like TX.

Maybe we need to stop all MN vehicles, because MN borders Canada and they may be transporting maple syrup.

As for presenting my license, I will follow state laws on that one when out of state. This is due to the fact they will not be able to tell I have a CHL when they run my license, so if not required by law then I will not present it. Now, in Texas, I will present my CHL when asked for my license, no matter what my carry status is. This is because in Texas the DL check WILL show my CHL.

On my cheat sheet, I have each State on the left and then columns about the particular aspects of that State. The first column is whether or not I have to notify the officer. If the sheet is in its normal place, it is easy enough to pull it while I'm assembling my documentation to share with the officer.

Personally, I'm going to assess the officer's demeanor on approach in a State which doesn't require notification. If I sense it to be anything but calm and professional, I'm going to error on the side of notification even if it isn't required - assuming that I'm carrying. So if my gun is on me or, as I do on really long trips, in a holster inside the bag beside my seat and I sense that I'm in for a difficult stop, I'm probably going to disclose my CHL. As badly as things might go afterward, I would prefer it to the gun being discovered at a later point. I realize that this is a dicey situation that could go either way. Either way, my hands are going to stay in plain sight and all my moves are going to be slow and deliberate.

[kjbolling2002]

As for presenting my license, I will follow state laws on that one when out of state. This is due to the fact they will not be able to tell I have a CHL when they run my license, so if not required by law then I will not present it.

I agree. I have read other posts where they always present the license regardless of the state because it is the law in TX even if not required in the state they were pulled over in. So that is why I asked the question. I think it depends on the questioning, the reason for being pulled over and your gut feeling.

[powerboatr]

Wish I had seen this two months ago. My advice is too understand the law of the states you are visiting and only carry if you are really comfortable and understand the law of that state. Also watch out for young inexperienced officers looking to make their name in the force and climb the ladder.

Here is my experience:
When I corrected him and said they were not obstructed because the registration stickers are placed on the windshield in TX, he seemed a bit put off that I called him on his ignorance. So he decided I needed to prove registration with receipts showing when I registered the vehicle which I produced. As he was asking the questions and I was getting my paperwork out, I decided I would not present my CHL to him as I would normally do in TX.

So if you were in my position, would you present your license? MN law does not require it like TX.

you know what is bad? your not required by texas law to have your registration in the vehicle, in fact our tag office advises you to keep it elsewhere as the window sticker has your plate and county on it.

I would be in a pickle...for i do not carry my registrations, only proof of insurance
if your a commercial vehicle then you must have the registration available
good for you it worked out ok