new shooter: What happens if you take your gun across state lines?

[darnskewered]

Hi all. I'm very *very* new to the world of firearms. I just took a basic pistol shooting course...it was a lot of fun, and now I'm taking next steps to figure out which type of gun I might want to own. Somewhere down the road once I've had some practice and feel really comfortable with it, I may wish to carry.

Sometimes I travel with my family and every so often you find yourself in a place where you're not sure if you are 100% safe. What if I want to travel out of state and protect myself? Do I need to be intimately acquainted with the laws of each state I may venture into?

[Krichardson]

It certainly wouldn't hurt for you to be "intimately acquainted" at least with the surrounding states laws....especially New York and New Jersey.

[jakebrake]

Yes, you need to be well acquainted with the ever changing laws. The wrong state will equal a nightmare.

[jerryg]

And it is not just the different states borders that you have to concern yourself with. In PA you can carry in a bar or church. Not so in some other states. You have to do your research first. I doubt you will get any verbal warnings. Keep shooting and rent different handguns. I will suggest a Glock 19 for a first handgun it is just the right size. There are probably many members on this forum that own one and would never sell it. It is nothing special it is just the right size. Be Safe. Spend time here it will be worth it in the long run.

[Sgt.K]

Do I need to be intimately acquainted with the laws of each state I may venture into?

Absotively posilutely, unless you are made of money and/or are interested in researching the court and prison systems of other states.

www.handgunlaw.us is a good start...

My 2¢

[Fortytwo]

Here is another site to look through and study carefully.
https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-gun-laws/

[Grey Bearded One]

Get a License to Carry now.

[Gun]

Do I need to be intimately acquainted with the laws of each state I may venture into?

Yes, if you want to stay out of jail.

[Fortytwo]

Get a License to Carry now.

Do this ^^^^^. OP seeing that you reside in Centre County, go to the Sheriff's Office behind the courthouse in Bellefonte to apply. It costs $20, and it shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes between dropping off the application and leaving with the photo license in hand.

[McSull]

Post offices are off limits to legal gun carrying, open or concealed.