Concealed Carry on Road Trip (MO to NC)

[pisan1]

New member here, and first post.

The wife and a friend are taking a trip to North Carolina to see a concert. She has a Missouri CCW permit. They will be travelling through Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. She wants to take her firearm and I would like her to take it as well.

I have read through all the pertinent state CCW laws, but am confused in some areas.

If you live in any of these states (KY, TN, NC), can you please clarify the following questions?

• Vehicle Travel: NC posts an odd vehicle carry law. Seems you must display your weapon in your vehicle while travelling. How should she travel with her firearm in these 3 different states?
• Posted No Gun Signs: In MO, these signs do not restrict you from carrying, it's a misdemeanor if you do not comply. How do these signs work in these other 3 states?
• Any Other Advice?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[RonM0710]

Have you checked www.handgun.us a great resource.

I believe the NC law refers to carry without permit. In TN the no carry signs are law.

Tell her not to carry in restaurants that serve alcohol.

 

[pisan1]

Yes, I referenced handgunlaw.us first.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Coyote Blue]

Your wife's Mizzou permit is honored in all 3 states,KY,NC and TN.

In Kentucky,signs have no force of law No need to notify the LEO on official contact. Carry on body or a closed container.OC is legal but not heavily practiced in urban areas.

In Tennessee, signs have the force of law. No need to notify the LEO on official contact.OC is legal,see KY.

In North Carolina, signs have the force of law. You must notify the LEO upon official contact.OC is legal,see KY & TN.

Handgunlaw.us

 

[pisan1]

Thanks Coyote Blue. What is your interpretation of the NC vehicle carry law?

 

[Coyote Blue]

Thanks Coyote Blue. What is your interpretation of the NC vehicle carry law?

This is all I can find. This pertains to unlicensed individuals. But even then it appears there is no specific method of off body vehicle carry for even licensed carriers.. See the bolded section below.From the North Carolina Attorney General. Perhaps a licensed NC forum member can assist.

415.11. (c3)
RV/Car Carry Without A Permit/License
Transporting Weapons
Roy Cooper
Attorney General

Given this general
prohibition of carrying concealed weapons, individuals must be ever vigilant to ensure
that their particular situation cannot be construed as concealing a weapon either on or about them without
being properly authorized to do so with a valid North Carolina
concealed handgun permit. Therefore, the
person's accessibility to the weapon is of prime importance. It is for these reasons, that when transporting a
weapon in a vehicle, even greater care must be exercised to ensure that the weapon is not concealed
and
within the ready access to an occupant of the vehicle. North Carolina law does not specifically address how
to transport a weapon in an automobile. Therefore, the central question becomes: when is the weapon
concealed and readily accessible to an occupant
of the automobile? Obviously, a weapon would be concealed
and readily accessible, and therefore in violation of our law, if it were placed in such areas of a vehicle as,
under the seat of the automobile; in a bag in the back seat; in an unlocked glove
compartment; or in some
other manner is covered or hidden within the easy reach of an occupant of the vehicle. A previous opinion
from this office was that a weapon would not be concealed if it were placed in a locked glove compartment,
unless the key to
the glove compartment was in the lock and the person was in close proximity and had ready
access to it. A concern with this mode of transportation however is that it is quite susceptible to different
interpretations, based on the various factors involved.
Therefore, this may not be the most legally defensible
method of transporting a weapon, and is discouraged.
While a weapon carried openly in an automobile would not be concealed, there are other problems
attendant to this method of carrying a weapon.
The principal drawback, of course, is in the event of a person
being stopped by a law enforcement official, the officer may not readily know that person's purpose and
intent for carrying a weapon. As such, it is imperative that a person immediately notify
an officer of the
presence of any weapon in the automobile, for the officer's and the vehicle's occupants' safety. Another
obvious drawback is that a valuable weapon may be in plain view for potential thieves to see.

 

[TrapperBob]

Here in NC, if you have a CHP you may carry it concealed on or off your body in a vehicle. Without a CHP the gun must be either plainly visible, such as on the dashboard or passenger seat, with nothing covering or obscuring it at all, or completely out of reach, like in the trunk. Problems arise when there is more than one person in the vehicle and some occupants have and some do not have CHPs. For example if you were alone in the car, and have a CHP, storing it in the glove box or center console is fine. But if the driver has a CHP and the passenger does not, storing it in either of those locations may be considered (depending on the officer) as the passenger having a concealed handgun.

Personally, in NC when I have a firearm in a car it is either loaded and in a holster attached to me, unloaded and stored with a trigger lock in the cargo area of my SUV (long guns going hunting), or in a small gun safe attached to the car (required in areas like college campuses where you can't get out of the vehicle while carrying, but can lock it in the car, as long as you have a CHP.)

 

[Coyote Blue]

Thank you very much,TrapperBob! A lot of fine,useful information. :smile:

 

[volky]

I agree with trapperbob on NC law. Plus you may carry where alcohol is served as long as you do not consume. Law was changed in October.

 

[pisan1]

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[Coyote Blue]

Thanks for all the great info!

You're welcome! And welcome to the forum. We hope you enjoy your stay. :smile:

 

[Pitt County Pride]

In NC wiith a valid CHP, a handgun may be transported in a vehicle concealed or unconcealed. Without a CHP, a handgun may not be carried if it is both concealed AND accessible. For example, a pistol laying visibly on the front seat is accessible, but not concealed. This is allowed under state law. A pistol locked with a key in a glovebox is concealed, but not accessible. This is allowed under state law. HOWEVER, a handgun hidden under the front seat is both concealed and accessible, and is unlawful UNLESS you have a valid CHP, which you do have with a Missouri CHP. One note..... A CHP only covers concealed HANDGUNS, no other weapon. Since you said you were attending a concert, watch for signs and stay away from educational property. Signs do carry weight of law. Some concert venues use metal detectors.....Welcome to the Old North State!!!

 

[fcretired]

If you have a smart phone I'd suggest you get an app called CCW. It's cheap, regularly updated, and gives quick references to laws in all 50 states.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[RonM0710]

The app is CCW.

 

[fcretired]

Corrected, thanks!

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