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Traveling with handgun - TN, VA, NC

2371 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  phreddy
WOO! FIRST POST! LOL

Hey guys, ive tried searching other sites and cant get any real solid info....

This spring I'll be going to Myrtle Beach with the family and I'm unsure of how to transport my handgun. I from Ky and I have my concealed carry permit. I'll be traveling throught Tn Va and Nc and I would like to keep the gun in the glovebox or center console of my truck while driving. I know all three states recognize my concealed carry permit but I'm not sure what to do while in the vehicle. If I have read things right I can keep the gun concealed on my person but for comfort reasons I would like to keep it somewhere else while driving.

Can anyone chime in on this?
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Handgunlaw.us
As said above, handgunlaw.us is the place to get the info from print it out and take it with you for each state.


The only thing that they left out is that NC has a BBQ dinner tariff for traveling through. It's paid to each NC member of defensivecarrry.com.
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Check with the State Police to be sure, but my understanding is that if Virginia recognizes your concealed permit, you don't have anything special to worry about traveling through. However if you are stopped, it is correct to inform the officer that you are carrying and where the weapon is located.

Not a lawyer. please double check my advice.

side note: I never have understood why we have a State Police Department when we're not a state, but a Commonwealth
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Myrtle Beach is in SC so check their laws also. I am told in SC concealed means on your person even in your car.
Per info from 4myfam and checked with a quick google search: Yup, its in SC.

First rule, know the states you are actually going to be in. If you think you are in PA but are in
NJ, you could be in a world of trouble. Same if you think you are in Dubuque but its really Rock Island.
Normally, Carry Concealed offers a travel map: click on the states you're transiting and it lets you know whether your permit is accepted. However, all the sub-pages on that site seem to be down tonight. Check it in a day or two.
... I would like to keep the gun in the glovebox or center console of my truck while driving...
This state/method of firearms transport would be just fine in SC even without a Concealed Carry Permit that was recognized. Even loaded... even unlocked. It just needs to be closed.

And, as someone earlier pointed out, with a permit that was recognized it could even be on yourself, concealed.

And SC does reciprocate with Kentucky. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
With a recognized permit, concealed is concealed, where is not an issue. Heck, in FL you don't even need a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the closed console or glove box.
To some extent that is true.... but... and a big but.... let me point on one very important difference to know.

Depending on where it is, you may have to identify. In South Carolina anyway.

In SC you must identify if you are carrying concealed. If its in the Glove box or console, its not considered Concealed carry... you can do so without permit.... so it would then be optional if you decided to identify.

If its on your person you would be required, if stopped by LEO for an official stop, identify that you are a Concealed Permit holder and are carrying. If your not carrying, you do not have to identify that you are a concealed permit holder.

That is the difference in SC.
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Goofball me forgot to add Sc to the list. Sorry.

Looks like all 4 states will recognize my CCW. So I guess my best bet would to be to keep in my holster and just learn to deal with a 10 hour drive with my gun in my waistband. If i were to be pulled over I should be ok as long I present my CCW with my drivers license and infor the LEO that i do have a concealed firearm.
... If i were to be pulled over I should be ok as long I present my CCW with my drivers license and infor the LEO that i do have a concealed firearm.
Be sure to check the other states. Some may not require you to identify. Just be sure you know which ones are and which ones you do not. And act accordingly.

And thanks for bringing your hard earned dollars to my state! Hope you have a good visit.
Goofball me forgot to add Sc to the list. Sorry.

Looks like all 4 states will recognize my CCW. So I guess my best bet would to be to keep in my holster and just learn to deal with a 10 hour drive with my gun in my waistband. If i were to be pulled over I should be ok as long I present my CCW with my drivers license and infor the LEO that i do have a concealed firearm.
I teach that instead of just handing your permit over with your DL, notify verbally first since people will hand officers all kinds of information such as insurance cards, business cards, attorneys cards, etc. They may not even see the permit until they return to their vehicle and then you may fall under some close scrutiny upon their return.

Notify verbally, then wait until directed by the officer to tell you what he wants. Keep your hands on the wheel until they know what you are going to do.

Here's the boiler plate script I give in my class. "Officer, I have a concealed carry permit and I am currently carrying. It is (insert location here). How would you like to proceed?"

This does a few things to keep things on a cool level. First, no mention of guns so there is less chance of a misunderstanding with words that cause escalated attention like gun, firearm, etc. Second by asking how they want to proceed, you let them know you are awaiting their instruction before you do anything.

As long as you make sure you know when you are legally required to notify and do it you should be good to go.

I will say, while there are several states that require you to notify, I have yet to find any state where it is illegal to do so if not required. If you happen to choose the option to always notify you will always cover your bases and you won't have to worry about if the state requires it.
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The above advice that everyone has given you is good. Just one thing, remember to show you CCW permit to an officer if you are stopped and let him know where it is. When I was on patrol I stopped a guy from Kentucky down this way and he reached for his registration in the glove box. Not normally a problem except for two things: 1. His registration was under the Ruger P90 he had in the glove box. 2. He grabbed the P90 instead of the papers. These two points were followed the hasty introduction of the gentleman to a Glock 31 at a "very personal" distance. Unfortunately for him I found out later he had another problem......he didn't have a permit like you do.
To some extent that is true.... but... and a big but.... let me point on one very important difference to know.

Depending on where it is, you may have to identify. In South Carolina anyway.

In SC you must identify if you are carrying concealed. If its in the Glove box or console, its not considered Concealed carry... you can do so without permit.... so it would then be optional if you decided to identify.

If its on your person you would be required, if stopped by LEO for an official stop, identify that you are a Concealed Permit holder and are carrying. If your not carrying, you do not have to identify that you are a concealed permit holder.

That is the difference in SC.
You're not required to notify if the gun is in your glovebox or console, but it would good to let them know if they are going to see it when you reach to get your license, registration or proof of insurance.
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