Got pulled over today with my gun in the car.

[einheit 13]

Originally Posted by [TASF

Overkill]Open carry is legal, but having a loaded firearm in the car is always a confusing legal matter. Just get a CCW, and then you have more options.

State law is god now in Va, you can have a loaded handgun in your car coked and ready to go as long as it is in plain view and even though it is a good thing to do, you don't have to tell a cop that you are armed unless he asks you. The open carry rule has some quirks as to region/population restrictions-but I think thats only for open carry on your person. But there are no peacable(sp) journey restrictions in the tidewater area at all. And if there are any in the state I'm sure its a limited area. i'll check the state firearm regs/code of Va to be sure.

[ShawnB]

In MS your vehicle is considered an extension of your home.

[manygunner]

Here in WA CCW in a vehicle is permitted only if you have a CPL. Open carry is a big no no and having a weapon lying on your seat would be considered brandishing. Rifles and shotguns must be unloaded and in trunk or case.

The rule on informing an officer is hazy here and I have been given differing opinions/instructions. You do NOT have to admit to a weapon unless directly asked by the officer. That is where the opinions differ. Some say to inform him immediatelly to avoid surprising him later. Others say it is none of his business unless he asks. I have actualy been told by an instructor to not let LEOs know I have a weapon due to fear they would accidentaly shoot me with it when I surrendered it or misshandle it in some other way. I have heard at least one 1st person account of how a LEO drove off with the persons CCW still in his patrol car after a traffic stop (she quickly followed, honked and flagged him down). Personally I side with the inform him immediately crowd, although I still get shivers at the thought of them handling it.

[jnclement]

As far as Texas gun laws go, this is from the Texas DPS FAQ web site:

Q: Can I still carry a handgun without a permit while traveling?
A: Yes. The concealed handgun law augments existing state weapons laws but does not replace them. The offense of unlawfully carrying a weapon does not apply if you are traveling.

Q: Can I carry my handgun to a shooting range without a license?
A: Yes, if you are traveling directly to the range and back home.

And from packing.org - Effective 9/1/05 Anyone who can legally possess a firearm can carry it inside a motor vehicle. The firearm can be loaded and must be concealed. If it is in view it is a violation of the law.

For the most part in Texas, if it's unloaded, in a case, and out of reach, it's OK. If I had known the law was changing to allow concealed carry in your car, I probably wouldn't have spent the money getting my CHL, which came yesterday.

[Taj]

Originally Posted by jnclement

. If I had known the law was changing to allow concealed carry in your car, I probably wouldn't have spent the money getting my CHL, which came yesterday.

So you only keep a gun in your car? No other purpose for it?

That is interesting. Particularly since as I understand Florida law, anyone, CCW permit holder or not may transport a gun to and from a range, but may not fire a gun from or at a vehicle. I am sure that means any moving vehicle. I am not sure about stationary vehicles, but that's the impression I have.

Since I am a retired federal agent, I was eligible to get my CCW in Florida without having to take the course. But I took it anyway just so I would know the state's laws. All in all the course seemed to confuse me more than it did help me to understand what is and what isn't OK for CCW permit holders to do.

I still haven't found a comfortable way to carry my Subcompact, so I haven't. After 33 years of being able to carry open or use a shoulder harness I am getting very discouraged in my attempts to find a way to carry concealed and dress for the hot weather down here. But I still feel more comfortable having a permit just for taking the gun to and from my local range, since I know that it's ok with a permit and am unsure about no permit (I think it's ok to have a gun in a car without a permit, but I believe it needs to be unloaded).

Taj

[TeamXD]

"Know the laws of your state."
Open carry is legal here in Arizona. So it dose not matter if it is a loaded weapon ( magazine included) or not as long as it is out in the open and in Public/Plain view. Of course it would be smart to let the officer know that there is a weapon in the vehicle....That would be a plus!!! Know your boundaries.

[schorched]

Oklahoma just changed their concealed gun law not to long ago. Now if you are caught with a loaded handgun in your vehicle, say in the glove compartment, it's a 70 dollar ticket and you keep your weapon.

[R/T Performance]

If I read correctly Fl. Law you can have a loaded gun in a vehicle as it encased in glove box or center console or case.No you don't have to declare but I do here in Mi. and have always the first word out off my mouth hands still on the top off the steering wheel.I am ccw and my gun is on my right hip and it hasn't got me shot yet

[Joseph Humphrey]

Originally Posted by XD BACKUP GUN

Is this true?
Get your CCW to avoid this in the future!

unfortunately for us in Wisconsin, the "Honorable" Gov Doyle will not allow a CCW bill to become law... as i understand the Law, the only individuals who can carry have a SPECIAL permit to use for when they are transporting large sums of money to the bank after hours. once they make the deposit in the drop box, they must unload and store the gun elsewhere in the vehicle as far our of reach of the driver (or any other occupant) as practable (trunk prefered). now if you have a truck likw Backup, behind the "Drivers" Seat would be as practable, but not if you have an SUV or car...

Gotta love that damned bastard.... i wonder if tommie thompson would have allowed concealed carry if he was still govenor.... hmmmmm

[R/T Performance]

That sucks