If you are a gun owner and spend a lot of time in your vehicle., you may be wondering if you can carry a gun in your car without permission.
A gun can be the difference between life and death- but you don’t want to end up on the wrong side of the law? So, where’s the middle ground, and how can you be safe both from danger and the law? Well, that’s what we’ll take a look at today. Let’s take a look.
How Do I Transport A Gun Without A Concealed Weapons Permit?
To go about this problem, you’ll need to go through a few steps. Firstly, identify what state you’re in; some don’t require concealed weapon permits, which will allow you to transport a gun without a concealed weapons permit.
For states that do require a concealed weapons permit, the best thing to do is to apply for one, as this is the easiest and safest way to stay on the right side of the law. There are some exceptions to carrying a gun in your car without permission, though, such as whether you are on your own property or not, which could be something to look into if you’re struggling.
Can I Carry An Unloaded Gun In My Car?
Carrying an unloaded gun is legally a lot safer than carrying a loaded one. Generally, this is how you can carry a concealed gun without a permit. However, you’ll, of course, always need to check local laws and guidance before going any further.
Can You Carry A Loaded Gun In Your Car?
This may seem like the better idea for your own safety, but this makes legalities a whole lot more complicated. For example, many states have magazine capacity laws, so breaching that could get you in trouble. Furthermore, many states allowing concealed carry only do so for unloaded guns. So, this option is a whole lot riskier, and it’s worth seeking local advice.

Below Is A Table Of Laws For Traveling With A Gun
Alabama
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Alaska
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Arizona
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Arkansas
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
California
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Partial |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Yes |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Partial |
Full Vehicle Carry |
Yes |
Colorado
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
Yes |
Connecticut
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Partial |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
Yes |
Delaware
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
District of Colombia
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Yes |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Not Allowed |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Florida
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
N/A |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Georgia
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Hawaii
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Yes |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Idaho
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Illinois
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
Yes |
Indiana
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Iowa
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Kansas
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Kentucky
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Louisiana
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Maine
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Maryland
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Yes |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Massachusetts
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Michigan
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
yes |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Minnesota
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Mississippi
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Missouri
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Montana
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Nebraska
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Yes |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Nevada
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
New Hampshire
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
New Jersey
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Yes |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
New Mexico
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
Yes |
New York
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Yes |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Not Allowed |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
North Carolina
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
North Dakota
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Ohio
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Oklahoma
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Oregon
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Pennsylvania
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Partial |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Rhode Island
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
Yes |
South Carolina
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
Yes |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
South Dakota
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Tennessee
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Texas
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Utah
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Vermont
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
Yes |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Virginia
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Washington
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
Partial |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
Yes |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
West Virginia
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Wisconsin
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
Yes |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
Yes |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Wyoming
Subject |
|
Is there a state permit required to purchase a gun? |
No |
Do you need a firearm registration? |
No |
Are there any assault weapn laws? |
No |
Is there a magazine capacity restriction? |
No |
Do you need a owner lisence? |
No |
Do you need a permit for concealed carry? |
No |
Do you need a permit for open carry? |
No |
Full Vehicle Carry |
No |
Some General Guidance:
- Gun carrying laws vary massively state-by-state.
- Generally, states that require concealed carry permits will also require another permit before you can carry a gun in your car.
- Carrying a loaded gun versus an unloaded gun will also mean different forms and permits.
- It’s always essential that you do your own research before you even think about carrying a gun in your car, as you could land up in serious legal trouble if you get it wrong.
- It’s always better to ask for local guidance than to go in completely blind. You could save yourself a lot of hassle. It shouldn’t take long to do either, so there’s really no excuse!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Be Charged With Carrying A Concealed Firearm If It’s In My Car?
This question really depends on where you live. If you live in a state that permits concealed carry, you may be able to carry a gun in your car.
However, in some states, such as in California, a Concealed Weapons License is also required before you can carry a gun in your car.
There is also the debate regarding the second amendment- the right to bear arms. You are protected with this amendment everywhere but California, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York.
Do You Have To Tell A Police Officer If There’s A Gun In Your Car?
There is a law known as the ‘Duty to Inform,’ which states that you are required to tell a law enforcer if you have a gun in your car upon contact. This law varies across the continent. The following states require you to inform law enforcement without being asked: Alaska, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas. These states require you to disclose your firearm if you are asked: Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
What Is The Red Flag Law?
A red flag law states that police or family members have the right to petition a state court to remove a person’s firearms if they seem to present a danger to others or themselves. If you don’t comply with this court ruling, you can be prosecuted for a criminal offense.
The following states have adopted some form of red flag law: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington.
This law helps to promote responsibility with firearms, so just be sensible, and you should be fine when it comes to red flag laws.
Can You Carry A Shotgun In Your Car?
A shotgun is classed as a ‘long gun’, which has greatly varying laws to handguns. Generally, states will require this gun to be unloaded in your car if they even allow it in your car in the first place!
Shotguns are a much bigger and more powerful weapon than a handgun, so laws are generally stricter. It’s always a good idea to consult with your local police or courts before going out and carrying a shotgun in your car. In fact, shotgun carry may result in a longer prison sentence than a handgun, so be really careful with this one.
Conclusion
Hopefully, that’s answered the question of can you carry a gun in your car without permission, with state-by-state guidance, as well as general rules of thumb to follow. But always do more research into your state as different areas in the same state may have different laws.
There’s so much to consider that you’ll have to do your own, more thorough checks to ensure that you remain on the right side of the law. But all of this time and effort will be worth it because carrying a firearm in your car can really help you when it matters. Good luck and stay safe!