Driving from TX to PA..... armed?

[freesoul]

Greets,
I'll be driving from Houston back to PA and would prefer to carry my handgun but am unsure about the laws. I know there are reciprocal agreements with every state I will pass through except Alabama, S Carolina, and Maryland.

How should I carry my firearm in those states? Unloaded and locked in the trunk?

Where do I find info on what is required of me if I get pulled over- am I bound to notify the LEO?

Thanks in advance.

[lildobe]

Greets,
I'll be driving from Houston back to PA and would prefer to carry my handgun but am unsure about the laws. I know there are reciprocal agreements with every state I will pass through except Alabama, S Carolina, and Maryland.

How should I carry my firearm in those states? Unloaded and locked in the trunk?

Where do I find info on what is required of me if I get pulled over- am I bound to notify the LEO?

Thanks in advance.

Because you are traveling through, secure your unloaded weapon in the trunk and ammo somewhere else and you will be fine.

At that point you are covered by interstate transport regulations - just make sure you don't stop for any "unnecessary" reasons in a prohibited state.

[mjfletcher]

Greets,
I'll be driving from Houston back to PA and would prefer to carry my handgun but am unsure about the laws. I know there are reciprocal agreements with every state I will pass through except Alabama, S Carolina, and Maryland.

How should I carry my firearm in those states? Unloaded and locked in the trunk?

Where do I find info on what is required of me if I get pulled over- am I bound to notify the LEO?

Thanks in advance.

I might be of some help with this one. I have friends that live in Arkansas and am planning a visit there in the next year. As I'll be driving i've already checked on reciprocity.

PA -> WV -> KY -> MO -> AR Reciprocity with all of them, never pass through a state where there isn't reciprocity. AR borders TX so you can just cruise on through TX -> AR -> MO -> KY -> WV -> PA. You still have to check the exact laws in each state as far as exactly what constitutes legal carry in each (I haven't gotten that far yet).

Its not the most direct route imaginable, but its also not the most "scenic" either.

[Mike]

Check out the unlicensed traveler's map at http://www.opencarry.org/travel.html - you will be able to see where you can carry in your car without license - like in your glove box for SC for example.

[freesoul]

thanks Mike- thats good to know about SC. I didnt see anywhere that tells me if I must notify LE that I am armed if I happen to get stopped....including the other states where I am ok.

i miss packing.org..... had all the info...

[Lee-online]

I thought i read that a loaded pistol can be kept in closed glove box or console in SC. This is better than unloading it.

[markheck1]

Check out handgunlaw.us.....lots of good info there

[Pro2A]

As for concealed you are ok except for AL, SC and MD...

Check this map out for carry thru those states.

http://opencarry.com/travel.html

In AL and MD ... unloaded and locked in the trunk.

In SC... just stick it in your glove box loaded, thats ok.

The rest of the states carry like normal.

[Charlie B]

I traveled to Houston last year. We have reciprocity all the way except the 20 or so miles through Maryland.

I took I-81 S through Maryland and Virginia, I-40 W through Tennessee and into Arkansas, I-30 W through Arkansas into Dallas Texas, I-45 S into Houston.

From Houston I took I-45 N to Dallas, I-30 E through Arkansas, I-40 E through Tennessee, I-81 N through Virginia and Maryland into PA.

[freesoul]

Check out handgunlaw.us.....lots of good info there

thank you all for your comments, esp this link. Apparently my handgun must be in plain view in a few of the states. Jeezus what a complete PITA, where is the federal government in standardizing this??