Knowing your state's firearms laws

Do you know your state's firearms law?

  • I have read my state's actual statutes and feel that I have adequate knowledge for day to day carry.

    Votes: 59 93.7%

  • I have read my state's statutes, but I feel I still don't know enough for day to day carry.

    Votes: 4 6.3%

  • I have not read the statutes, I trust what others tell me and have adequate knowledge.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I have not read the statutes, and I feel I do not have enough knowledge for day to day carry.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    63
N

NavyLCDR

New member
As a person who carries a gun, I think it is important for me to know what the actual statutes of my state are regarding my possession and carrying of a firearm. Where can I carry, where is it illegal for me to carry? Under what circumstances am I lawfully able to use my gun? What is an unlawful display of my firearm? What are the requirements regarding LEO interactions while I am carrying a gun? Vehicle storage? Alcohol and the gun?

It seems like a lot of people who carry a gun trust in thrid party knowledge and have never read the statutes themselves. One hour of search and read on the internet and you can read all your state firearms law from a government website for yourself. I just don't understand not taking the time to do this. Especially if you openly carry!

I am curious how many members here have actually taken the time to read their state's real statutes as they are written "on the books", how many rely on what others tell them, how many fully admit they don't know as much as they feel they should.
 
I second that...

I couldn't agree with you more. Especially in a state like Wisconsin, where we were just legally given the opportunity.

Read the law, don't assume there's an app for that. ;)
 
knowing your States Firearm Laws

As a Legal Law abiding citizen, it is a lot easier to read what the actual Laws are compared to second hand info. On the other hand, criminals, who by the way should be looked upon more than they are instead of Law Abiding citizens. One misstep, your Right to Bear Arms (2nd Amendment) are gone in a blink of an eye. A lot of responsibility comes with carrying a firearm...do yourself and others a favor and find out for yourself.
 
I keep two printed copies of my states laws with me at all times. I keep one in my vehicle and one on my person. Got stopped one time, cops were complaining saying you couldn't OC. I told them to take the papers out of my pocket and go to question 24. They got quiet after that :)
 
I have read the RCW's on this subject and reread them. You can never too informed. Id like to take this thought one step further. Many on this site have multi-state permits and how many of them have read the laws of that state?
 
I replied with "Don't know enough for day to day carry" only because there still is a whole lot I do not know (and being honest)but I do carry daily. I carry without knowing all the intricacies of Massachusetts Gun Laws because the one thing I do know is I am level headed and not just some zealot with a gun.

I carry legally but am still signing up for all the classes I can take.
 
In addition to reading my state's laws, I have made booklets to carry in my car and my pickup. I not only have the law, as written, but also copies of court cases which show that misinterpretations by LEOs have been overturned in favor of the gun owner. Additionally, I have a copy of my state laws put out by the State Sheriffs Association which also gives information concerning all state's gun laws. Last year I purchased a copy of the "Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States." It is inconvenient to carry a library around with me just to fend off an unknowing LEO but I find that easier than being harassed for trying to protect myself and family.
 
Not only the law but court precedents defining existing interpretation of the statutes.
 
I know probably 95% of the "facts" around my state statues by heart... I also know most of the Illinois and Indiana rules, because I travel there often. (I try not to stop in Illinois though.) If I am going to a new state, I try to look through as much info as I can find that outlines my duties.
 
I read the laws of the state I live in and if I travel to another state I read the laws of the states I go to and through so I can keep myself out of trouble.
 
I have read my state laws repeatedly and they are printed out and on file. I have the appropriate code and section for my home state book marked on my smartphone as well as the DNR and DPS URLs that apply and for the state I travel to most. Also on my smartphone I have PDF copies of the code and section, the DNR rules, and the Department of Public Safety administrative rules. In addition, I have the State Attorney General opinion that applies bookmarked. I also paid for an app called Concealed Carry 50 State for my smartphone that provides all state and federal codes and laws that apply. I'd be impressed if there is a LEO anywhere that has as much information at hand as I do.
 
Oldgrunt said:
.... Last year I purchased a copy of the "Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States." It is inconvenient to carry a library around with me just to fend off an unknowing LEO but I find that easier than being harassed for trying to protect myself and family.
Click to expand...
Now that is a good idea...must try to find that book. I carry every day as it is part of my wardrobe and am very aware of my surroundings without thinking of boogiemen so I don't really think about getting into trouble. Last Sunday I was talking to a man in the breakfast room of the hotel we were in and he has this "it will never happen to me..." attitude. After our chat, I think it is time for me to wake up too from my dreamland...
 
Tucker's Mom said:
Last Sunday I was talking to a man in the breakfast room of the hotel we were in and he has this "it will never happen to me..." attitude. After our chat, I think it is time for me to wake up too from my dreamland...
Click to expand...

Does your husband know about this man you were at the hotel with?!? :victory:
 
You should have included " I get all the information I need from the usa carry school of internet law". as a poll option
 
I have a copy of the most recent carry laws on my phone, and I also have copies of oklahoma and Louisiana, I live in Texas and like to travel to those 2states regularly.
Also have a chl app on my phone. Gives basic laws and reciprocity etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Threads

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 124 (members: 0, guests: 124)

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
49,523
Messages
610,662
Members
74,992
Latest member
RedDotArmsTraining

Share this page

Back
Top